Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Observations of Ionization induced by Artificial Earth Satellites

Abstract

WHILE monitoring a remote continuous-wave station at the Ohio State University Radio Observatory, it has been found that large enhancements of signals often occur at the times of near approach of an artificial Earth satellite. The enhancements are of such magnitude as to indicate extensive ionization with scattering cross-section several orders of magnitude greater than the physical cross-section of the satellite1–3. In these observations it has been convenient to monitor the National Bureau of Standards time service station WWV near Washington, D.C., at a distance of 330 miles from Columbus. This communication describes some additional observations of the phenomenon.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kraus, J. D., Proc. Inst. Rad. Eng., 46, 611 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kraus, J. D., Higgy, R. C., and Albus, J. S., Proc. Inst. Rad. Eng., 46, 1534 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kraus, J. D., and Dreese, E. E., Proc. Inst. Rad. Eng., 46, 1580 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Kraus, J. D., Nature, 184, 669 (1959).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

KRAUS, J., HIGGY, R., SCHEER, D. et al. Observations of Ionization induced by Artificial Earth Satellites. Nature 185, 520–521 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/185520a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/185520a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing