New Frequency Band for Radio Astronomy and SETI Research
David Fields, Tamke-Allan Observatory
Abstract
Interplanetary radio communication and control can be effective only if the transmission mode (frequency, polarization and other signal parameters) are chosen with consideration of the media through which a signal must propagate. For this reason, extraterrestrial transmissions that must penetrate the Earth’s ionosphere are made in optical or radio windows at relatively high frequencies. On the other hand, communications that must penetrate earth, ice or ocean (or any submerged or subterranean signal unit) must be made using lower frequencies for which the electromagnetic skin depth is small.
Calculations suggest that there is an unrecognized radio transmission window through the earth’s ionosphere, that will for certain definable situations, penetrate both the ionosphere and planetary (oceanic and land) barriers. A calculation is outlined that demonstrates the feasibility of single radio band transmission through serial ionospheric and material barriers
Satellite radio monitoring data verify the existence of the predicted VLF radio window but these measurements have been largely ignored.
This work demonstrates the possibility of single-band transmission through the ionosphere and subsequent material barriers. Implications include development of a new robust communications channel, communications with submerged or subterranean extra-Earth colonies and research instruments, and a new approach to the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligences (SETI).
Author Bio
David Fields received his Ph.D. in Experimental Solid State Physics from the University of Wisconsin and worked in Physics and on computer simulation of physical systems at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Areas of specialization included environmental transport and human risk from chemicals and radionuclides. He worked as guest scientist at the German Federal Health Office on problems of low-level radioactive waste disposal and nuclear fuel recycling. He began work in Brazil in 1996 as an “expert” for the IAEA in Environmental Transport, Risk Assessment, and Uncertainties. He returned to Brazil, worked at two government research facilities, then developed and presented a graduate-level course on Environmental Transport, Human Exposure, and Risk Evaluation. He subsequently consulted with NASA, designing radiation shields to protect astronauts from excessive radiation exposure associated with solar coronal mass ejections, galactic cosmic radiation, van Allan trapped radiation and nuclear propulsion reactors.
David has taught at Murray State University; the Federal University of Brazil; Pellissippi State Community Technical College; and currently, at Roane State Community College in Harriman, TN, where he directs Tamke-Allan Observatory. Tamke-Allan Observatory is actively used by students and faculty at RSCC and surrounding schools and by local astronomy groups to explore optical and radio astronomy. He is past president of the Tennessee Academy of Science and the Oak Ridge Isochronous Observation Network (ORION) and past board member of the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA). He has 172 publications in international scientific journals, books and technical reports, two patents and has given 99 conference presentations. He enjoys music and astronomy. Current research interests include robot antennas, radio interferometry, software defined radios and light conservation.
