The capability to establish the magnitudo, time and place of a forthcoming earthquake is still far from having a reliable and accurate prevision of practical interest. Different precursory phenomena of forthcoming earthquakes have been experimentally observed; they are mostly linked to a microfracturation of the rock due to stress accumulation during the pre-seismic phase in the hypocentral zone of an earthquake. The microcracks in the rocks can be considered seismic sources able to generate electromagnetic emissions, in particular in ULF-ELF bands (0-3000 Hz). The electromagnetic waves spread through the lithosphere to the ionosphere and the magnetosphere and they produce irregularities (Earth magnetic field variations, ionospheric plasma parameters disturbances and particles precipitation from Van Allen belts). In addition, the shallow earthquakes are capable to produce gravity oscillations, propagating upwards and coupling with neutral atmosphere and, eventually, with ionospheric layers. Significant variations of the total electron content in the ionosphere have been measured through GPS receivers. A space mission seems to be an affordable way to achieve in-situ observations, overall the Earth. A plasma diagnostic system suitable to be hosted on board LEO satellites to investigate the presence of ionosphere disturbances has been designed, manufactured and tested. The system is an electrostatic probe, specifically a Triple Probe System (TPS), which allows the local plasma density and electron temperature determination through acquisition of instantaneous voltage and current measurements. A prototype has been arranged to be hosted on board UNISAT-4, a low-cost university satellite built by GAUSS (Gruppo di Astrodinamica – Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”), scheduled to be launched on December 2005. The paper deals with the TPS basic concepts and some preliminary results, obtained in a test campaign carried out in a climatic room from -40°C to +60°C, are depicted.
M.L. Battagliere, F. Piergentili, G. Vannaroni, F. Graziani (2005). Triple Probe System For In Situ Ionospheric Plasma Monitoring. VOLTERRA : s.n.
Triple Probe System For In Situ Ionospheric Plasma Monitoring
PIERGENTILI, FABRIZIO;
2005
Abstract
The capability to establish the magnitudo, time and place of a forthcoming earthquake is still far from having a reliable and accurate prevision of practical interest. Different precursory phenomena of forthcoming earthquakes have been experimentally observed; they are mostly linked to a microfracturation of the rock due to stress accumulation during the pre-seismic phase in the hypocentral zone of an earthquake. The microcracks in the rocks can be considered seismic sources able to generate electromagnetic emissions, in particular in ULF-ELF bands (0-3000 Hz). The electromagnetic waves spread through the lithosphere to the ionosphere and the magnetosphere and they produce irregularities (Earth magnetic field variations, ionospheric plasma parameters disturbances and particles precipitation from Van Allen belts). In addition, the shallow earthquakes are capable to produce gravity oscillations, propagating upwards and coupling with neutral atmosphere and, eventually, with ionospheric layers. Significant variations of the total electron content in the ionosphere have been measured through GPS receivers. A space mission seems to be an affordable way to achieve in-situ observations, overall the Earth. A plasma diagnostic system suitable to be hosted on board LEO satellites to investigate the presence of ionosphere disturbances has been designed, manufactured and tested. The system is an electrostatic probe, specifically a Triple Probe System (TPS), which allows the local plasma density and electron temperature determination through acquisition of instantaneous voltage and current measurements. A prototype has been arranged to be hosted on board UNISAT-4, a low-cost university satellite built by GAUSS (Gruppo di Astrodinamica – Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”), scheduled to be launched on December 2005. The paper deals with the TPS basic concepts and some preliminary results, obtained in a test campaign carried out in a climatic room from -40°C to +60°C, are depicted.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
