Stanford AWESOME Receiver Installation
Morris Cohen
Stanford University
Special Extra Seminar
3:30 Thursday March 17, 2005

ABSTRACT:

VLF wave receivers have wide applications to studies of electromagnetic effects in the ionosphere and
magnetosphere.  Two Stanford University research groups have been collaborating on the development of
receivers for ionospheric remote sensing.  The VLF group, headed by Umran Inan, investigates
electromagnetic effects in the ionosphere and the magnetosphere; The Solar Observatories Group, led by
Philip Scherrer, studies helioseismology by observing sound wave propogations through the solar
interior. Together, the two groups have collaborated on production of two versions of receivers.  The
first, known as SID, is an exceptionally low-cost, easy-to-build version for wider distribution.  The
second, AWESOME, is a research-quality, specialized version for selected sites of scientific
importance.  When distributed to high schools and colleges across the country, these systems will
serve the dual purpose of providing a great tool for space and earth physics education, as well as
providing many new sets of data for the Stanford researchers to utilize in their studies.  An AWESOME
receiver will soon be running at Goddard.  Morris Cohen, a PhD candidate studying under Professor
Inan, will outline the wide scientific applications of VLF receivers, discuss their construction, and
overview the broader educational outreach program.