SPASE.info

Australian Space Weather Services Casey Riometer

ResourceID
spase://ASWS/NumericalData/Riometer/Cas_Riometer

Description

A riometer (relative ionospheric opacity meter) (30 MHz) is an instrument used to quantify the amount of electromagnetic wave ionospheric absorption in the atmosphere.[1] As the name implies, a riometer measures the "opacity" of the ionosphere to radio noise emanating from distant stars and galaxies. In the absence of any ionospheric absorption, this radio noise, averaged over a sufficiently long period of time, forms a quiet-day curve. Increased ionization in the ionosphere will cause absorption of radio signals (both terrestrial and extraterrestrial), and a departure from the quiet-day curve. The difference between the quiet-day curve and the riometer signal is an indicator of the amount of absorption, and is measured in decibels. Riometers are generally passive radio antenna operating in the VHF radio frequency range (~30 MHz). The SWS WDC archives Riometer data obtained from Casey, Davis, Mawson and Macquarie Island in Antarctica. The first Riometer data file from Casey was obtained on 17/01/1989.

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Details

Version:2.2.3

NumericalData

ResourceID
spase://ASWS/NumericalData/Riometer/Cas_Riometer
ResourceHeader
ResourceName
Australian Space Weather Services Casey Riometer
AlternateName
ReleaseDate
2016-05-04 17:00:00Z
Description

A riometer (relative ionospheric opacity meter) (30 MHz) is an instrument used to quantify the amount of electromagnetic wave ionospheric absorption in the atmosphere.[1] As the name implies, a riometer measures the "opacity" of the ionosphere to radio noise emanating from distant stars and galaxies. In the absence of any ionospheric absorption, this radio noise, averaged over a sufficiently long period of time, forms a quiet-day curve. Increased ionization in the ionosphere will cause absorption of radio signals (both terrestrial and extraterrestrial), and a departure from the quiet-day curve. The difference between the quiet-day curve and the riometer signal is an indicator of the amount of absorption, and is measured in decibels. Riometers are generally passive radio antenna operating in the VHF radio frequency range (~30 MHz). The SWS WDC archives Riometer data obtained from Casey, Davis, Mawson and Macquarie Island in Antarctica. The first Riometer data file from Casey was obtained on 17/01/1989.

Acknowledgement
We are thankful to the Australian Antarctic Division for the observations of Casey Riometer data.
Contacts
RolePerson
1.GeneralContactspase://SMWG/Person/Kehe.Wang
2.MetadataContactspase://SMWG/Person/Kehe.Wang
InformationURL
Name
World Data Centre: Data Display and Download: Riometer
URL
http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/World_Data_Centre/1/8
Description

includes browse display interface, button to get daily data file and link to data availability chart

Language
en
InformationURL
Name
Documentation
URL
http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/World_Data_Centre/2/8/7
Description

includes descriptions of station, data formats and examples.

Language
en
InformationURL
Name
Real Time Information: Real Time Riometer Data
URL
http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/HF_Systems/6/3
Description

Online viewer of real time Riometer data.

Language
en
AccessInformation
RepositoryID
spase://SMWG/Repository/SWS
Availability
Online
AccessRights
Open
AccessURL
Name
FTP access to Riometer data
URL
ftp://ftp-out.sws.bom.gov.au/wdc/wdc_rio/
Description

FTP access to the station Riometer data data of Casey and a README file.

Language
en
Format
Text
Encoding
None
Acknowledgement
ProviderProcessingLevel
The Riometer data are processed data and are uncalibrated.
InstrumentIDs
spase://ASWS/Instrument/Ground/Casey/Riometer
MeasurementType
Waves.Active
TemporalDescription
TimeSpan
StartDate
1989-01-17 00:00:00Z
RelativeStopDate
-P1D
Note
The earliest Riometer data since 17/01/1989. Digital data are current to within a day.
ObservedRegion
Earth.NearSurface
Caveats
Keywords
Riometer
Parameter #1
Name
Raw
Description

Cosmic noise intensity measured with a riometer.

Caveats
Cadence
PT10S
Units
DU
ValidMin
-2047
ValidMax
2047
Field
FieldQuantity
Electromagnetic
Parameter #2
Name
QDC(quiet-day curve)
Description

A QDC is defined as the signal intensity that is observed with a quiet and undisturbed ionosphere. The QDC thus defined is subjected to seasonal and even shorter-term variations. A QDC determined for a given period is therefore only valid for that particular period of time.

Caveats
Cadence
PT10S
Units
DU
ValidMin
-2047
ValidMax
2047
Field
FieldQuantity
Electromagnetic
Parameter #3
Name
Absorption
Description

Absorption = (QDC – Raw) / obliquity factor.

Caveats
Cadence
PT10S
Units
dB
ValidMin
-20
ValidMax
20
Field
FieldQuantity
Electromagnetic
Extension