AM Radio Ionosphere Station: Teacher's Guide

In this activity students will monitor the ionosphere by using an amplitude modulated (AM) radio to track solar storms and other changes in ionosphere reflectivity. They will discover that above the earth's surface a layer of charged particles called the ionosphere is capable of reflecting radio waves and that the reflectivity properties of the ionosphere can be changed dramatically by solar activity. In order to detect and study some of these changes, students will use the radio to listen for changes in background noise and the appearance of distant stations, learning that a simple everyday device can let them detect invisible changes in their environment caused by solar activity. Educational levels: High school, Middle school