HF Bistatic Radar Experiments with HAARP, UNM-LWA and OVRO-LWA for Planetary and Near-Earth Asteroid Science

• Published in: 2023 XXXVth General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI GASS) pp. 1 - 4
• Main Authors: Haynes, Mark S., Bernhardt, Paul A., Benner, Lance A. M., Matthews, Jessica, McCarrick, Mike, Reeve, Whitham D., Callis, Evans, Coon, Tracy, Dowell, Jayce, Taylor, Greg. B., Elachi, Charles, Hallinan, Gregg, Davis, Ivey, D'Addario, Larry, Lazio, Joseph
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: International Union of Radio Science 19-08-2023
• Subjects: Bistatic radar; Chirp; Moon; Observatories; Radar detection; Sensors; Solar system
• ISSN: 2642-4339
• DOI: 10.23919/URSIGASS57860.2023.10265676

We describe three HF(9.6MHz) bistatic radar experiments that were conducted in 2022 with the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility and the University of New Mexico Long Wavelength Array (UNM-LWA) and the Owens Valley Radio Observatory Long Wavelength Array (OVRO-LWA). The purpose of these experiments was to understand the potential for using these facilities in a bistatic radar mode for planetary science investigations, specifically, near-Earth asteroid interior sensing (cislunar and Apophis 2029 flyby). We conducted two Moon-bounce experiments as well as the first asteroid detection experiment at 9.6 MHz using ~1.25 GW EIRP transmissions of FMCW radar chirps. We attempted to detect asteroid 2010 XC15 at 2 Lunar distances for which several hours of coherent processing are required for a positive signal to noise ratio. Data are still under analysis but future experiments at these wavelengths may have to target asteroids that approach closer than 2 Lunar distances. In addition, the processing of received waveforms revealed ionosphere effects that suggest the potential for using these facilities for future ionospheric research.