HAARP [CH01] What is it?

HF Array

According to haarp.alaska.edu,

"HAARP is a scientific endeavor aimed at studying the properties and behavior of the ionosphere, with particular emphasis on being able to understand and use it to enhance communications and surveillance systems for both civilian and defense purposes."

Optical Shelter with Dome

The HAARP facility located near Gakona, Alaska is one of many "ionosphere research" facilities located all around the world. In addition to HAARP, the US has two more facilities--one located in Puerto Rico, near the Arecibo Observatory and the other near Fairbanks, Alaska (http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/factSheet.html).

Modular UHF Ionospheric Radar

HAARP is more equipped than other research facilities. Its unique features include "electronic beam steering", "wide frequency coverage", and an advanced collection of scientific instruments. The data that these "sophisticated" instruments collect is recorded and archived into their database. Anyone can view the data that HAARP collects for their Magnetometer, VHF Classic Riometer, HAARP HF Ionosonde, Induction Magnetometer, Total Electron Content, "Latitude Scans of TEC and Scintillation", Spectrum Monitor Waterfall Charts, HAARP Observatory Weather Station, and more on their website (http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/factSheet.html,http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/data.html).

Induction Magnetometer

Atmospheric studies have been very important to the military and communication industries since the ionosphere can "distort, reflect and absorb radio signals." Imagine a company executive whose satellite download gets delayed due to an unexpected fluctuation in the atmosphere. These sudden changes can be cause by solar flares or lightning which heat or ionize air-streams. A classic example of this phenomenon occurred in 1933, know as the Luxembourg Effect, when a radio receiver, tuned to Radio-Paris, located in Southern England picked up a faint signal from the much more powerful Luxembourg station. This event would not be unusual except that the two radio stations frequencies were separated by a "large band" which prevented any "cross modulation"--that is, the presence of strong signals on adjacent channels.