ISEE-1 PWE: Plasma Wave Frequency Spectra from Earth's Magnetosphere

The International Sun-Earth Explorer (ISEE) Program satellites were launched in 1977 and 1978. This dataset contains plasma wave measurements from the ISEE-1 satellite's Sweep Frequency Receiver, using electric dipole antennas to capture high-resolution spectrums. The data was produced by the University of Iowa Plasma Wave Instrument as part of a thirteen-experiment complement on the spacecraft.

Use Cases

• Analyzing narrow-band plasma wave emissions based on high-frequency resolution spectrum scans.
• Studying wave propagation and energy flux based on wave normal and Poynting flux measurement capabilities.
• Investigating magnetospheric boundary dynamics based on measurements from a spacecraft pair intended to resolve space-time ambiguity.

Strengths

• Data originates from a dedicated scientific satellite mission with a thirteen-experiment complement.
• Instrumentation includes three electric dipole antennas of specific lengths (215, 73.5, and 0.61 meters) and a triaxial search coil antenna.
• The sweep frequency receiver was designed for very high spectral resolution.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last updated 2026-03-13 06:13:06.587263; freshness should be verified.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by the University of Iowa Plasma Wave Instrument (PWI) on the ISEE-1 satellite.

Time Range

Mission launched October 22, 1977; specific measurement period not stated.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 06:13:06.587263

Geography

Geocentric orbits, covering the magnetosphere, magnetosheath, and solar wind regions.