HIPAS Observatory

The HIPAS (HIgh Power Auroral Stimulation) Observatory was a research facility, built to study the ionosphere and its influence on radio communications.

These frequencies are close to a multiple of 2 and 3 of the electron gyro-frequency at ionospheric altitudes.

Sending a pulse of HF-radio waves upward could accelerate the electrons in the ionosphere.

Other experiments attempted to combine RF and visible excitation where the latter probed metal ions such as sodium.

Other projects included: The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) is a similar facility funded jointly by the US Air Force and US Navy.