A METHOD TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF IONIZED HYDROGEN IN THE OUTER ATMOSPHERE

Abstract

The method proposed for the detection of ionized hydrogen in the outer atmosphere relies on the influence of the positive ions on the propagation of whistlers. If ionized hydrogen is the chief constituent of the atmosphere at great heights above the earth, then the relation between frequency and time in a whistler should depart at low audio frequencies from the form observed at higher frequencies. The departure is likely to be most marked in whistlers occurring at low magnetic latitudes. At magnetic latitude 45° the effect of the hydrogen ions should be detectable at frequencies below about 2 kc./sec.