1. Sudden Ionosphere Disturbance
Stanford Solar Center
Version 2.0
Slides by Ray Mitchell

2. SID Sudden Ionosphere Disturbance
Theory of Operation

3. The Sun, Ionosphere, and Radio waves

4. Navy Radio Station, Jim Creek, WA “NLK” 24.8KHz
Antenna Wires
200’ Towers
Source:

5. About 24.8 KHz Sound file Amplitude (Peak-to-Peak)  Radio Signal 
1 Cycle = 7.5 Miles (12 KM)
 Distance traveled over time 
How to make this Computation?
Speed of light: c = 186,000 Miles/Sec (300,000 KM/Sec)
Frequency: f = 24,800 Cycles/Sec
Wave Length:  = c / f Miles (or KM) / Cycle

6. The “SID” Shed (Reference)
Tuned loop Antenna
Observation Dates:
(Approx) 24-Jul-03 – Present date
Located in Stanford Hills next to
The Wilcox Solar Observatory

7. Research and Development… Building the SID Monitors

8. Prototype SID Monitor & Antenna
Pre-Amp
DataQ
Post-Amp
Box Dimensions:
4”w X 10”L X 3”h
30”square, 50 turns of #26 wire
Connected with RG-58 Coax
Model: SID_Beta-1

9. SID Monitor: Block Diagram
Pre-Amp
All frequencies
Coax
24.8KHz
Filter
Band-pass, Only 24.8KHz
(Amplitude Modulation)
DC voltage
Level
Signal
Strength =
10 bit,
Analog to Digital
Conversion
DATAQ
Computer
Sample every
5 Seconds
RS-232

10. Normal 24 Hr. Day (No flares)
Local Noon
Nighttime
Sunset
Daytime
Sunrise
Nighttime
Time in UT

11. Detecting Solar Flares – SID(s)
SID Events!
However, not all SID events are explainable. Research is needed to help answer “What are these events?”

12. GOES-12 Weather Satellite
Detecting X-Rays

13. Connecting SID to GOES Data
M1.3
C4.5
C3.8

14. Edited Events
:Product: events.txt
:Created: 2003 Aug UT
:Date:
# Prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center.
# Please send comments and suggestions to #
# Missing data: ////
# Updated every 30 minutes.
# Edited Events for 2003 Aug 02
#Event Begin Max End Obs Q Type Loc/Frq Particulars Reg# #
G XRA 1-8A B E
HOL 3 FLA S17E71 SF
HOL 3 FLA S18E70 SF
HOL 3 FLA S18E68 SF
G XRA 1-8A C E
SAG G RBR
PAL G RBR
G XRA 1-8A C E
HOL 3 FLA S17E F
PAL G RBR
PAL G RBR
G XRA 1-8A B E
HOL 3 FLA S17E67 SF
G XRA 1-8A C E
G XRA 1-8A C E
PAL G RBR
HOL 3 FLA S17E66 SF
G XRA 1-8A B E
G XRA 1-8A M E
LEA 3 FLA S17E F ERU

15. Sunspots (Active Regions)
#Event Begin Max End Obs Q Type Loc/Frq Particulars Reg# #
G XRA 1-8A C E
G XRA 1-8A C E
G XRA 1-8A C E
G XRA 1-8A M E

16. SID Sudden Ionosphere Disturbance
Beta Sites

17. San Leandro High School
Observation Dates:
01-Oct-03 – 01-Dec-03
Teacher: Mr. Rick Styner
Model: SID_Beta-1

18. Chabot College Observation Dates: 25-Nov-03 – 29-Dec-03
Teacher: Mr. Timothy Dave
Model: SID-Beta-0

19. Castro Valley High School
Observation Dates:
10-May-04 – ?
Teacher: Mr. Sean Fottrell
Model: SID_Beta-1

20. SID Sudden Ionosphere Disturbance
Next Steps

21. Next Steps… Build more Monitors
Printed Circuit Board Layout and Design
Assembly / Electronics: Chabot College
Software:
Computer Science students Cal. State University, Hayward
Stanford University: Data storage & analysis tools
Involve teachers to develop lessons plans
Classroom activities
Improve collaboration among the schools
Tour more schools