DE-1 PWI: Low Frequency Correlator Electric and Magnetic Field Spectral Density

Data from the Dynamics Explorer 1 spacecraft launched on August 3, 1981. The dataset contains calibrated, full-resolution measurements from the Plasma Wave Instrument's Low Frequency Correlator, designed by the University of Iowa and Stanford University. It captures spectral density for electric and magnetic fields across eight analog channels centered from 1.78 Hz to 100 Hz.

Use Cases

• Analyze auroral kilometric radiation and auroral hiss based on low-frequency electric field spectral density.
• Investigate wave-particle interactions stimulated by ground VLF transmitters based on magnetic field correlations.
• Study equatorial ion cyclotron and Bernstein mode emissions based on multi-channel frequency data.
• Model electric field turbulence along auroral field lines based on calibrated antenna measurements.

Strengths

• Calibrated, full-resolution data from a dedicated space mission.
• Measurements from five distinct sensor types, including long wire and tubular electric antennas.
• Eight defined analog frequency channels from 1.78 Hz to 100 Hz.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Phase correlation data and data from other instrument receivers (SFC, WBR, LWR) are not included in this file set.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected by the DE-1 spacecraft's Plasma Wave Instrument (PWI) Low Frequency Correlator.

Time Range

From the DE-1 mission start in 1981; specific operational dates are not provided.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 07:39:45.066631; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Data collected from a highly elliptical polar orbit around Earth.