Platteville Atmospheric Observatory
Encyclopedia
The Platteville Atmospheric Observatory located near Platteville, Colorado
was one of the first major ionospheric heater
s in the world
. Operating from 1968 through 1984, it expanded knowledge of ionospheric
processes greatly. The observatory continues operation, but now focuses on wind profiling. The first studies were made of HF heater induced airglow
, heater-induced spread F, wide band heater-induced absorption, and heater created field-aligned ionization.
Platteville, Colorado
Platteville is a Statutory Town in Weld County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,370 at the 2000 census. It is adjacent to Fort Vasquez on U.S. Route 85.-Geography:Platteville is located at ....
was one of the first major ionospheric heater
Ionospheric heater
An ionospheric heater is an array of antennas which are used for heating the ionosphere, and which can create artificial aurora.- Current facilities :...
s in the world
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
. Operating from 1968 through 1984, it expanded knowledge of ionospheric
Ionosphere
The ionosphere is a part of the upper atmosphere, comprising portions of the mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere, distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation. It plays an important part in atmospheric electricity and forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere...
processes greatly. The observatory continues operation, but now focuses on wind profiling. The first studies were made of HF heater induced airglow
Airglow
Airglow is the very weak emission of light by a planetary atmosphere. In the case of Earth's atmosphere, this optical phenomenon causes the night sky to never be completely dark .-Development:The airglow phenomenon was first identified in 1868 by Swedish scientist...
, heater-induced spread F, wide band heater-induced absorption, and heater created field-aligned ionization.