Planetary Harmonics &


Neurobiological Resonances in PLanetary Harmonics

The astrophysical parameters of a planet are, in part, that which create its astrological characteristic (psychophysiological resonance). An example chart of Earth's Harmonic Spectrum is presented below. Earth's astrophysical parameters are shown translated to their corresponding alpha brain wave frequencies, audio frequencies, and light (color) wavelengths.

The fundamental frequencies of a planet are derived from the planet's astrophysical parameters such as diameter, circumference, rotational velocity, orbital period, etc. These frequencies generally have very long wavelengths, thus they lie in the very low frequency (ELF) and ultra-low frequency (ULF) range. Planetary harmonics govern natural long-term biological growth patterns, monthly and yearly biological processes, and daily brain and psychophysiological function.

First, let's explore the basics of harmonics in color and sound. Brainwaves and audio frequencies are measured in frequency, were as light is measured by its wavelength (the inverse of frequency). The higher a frequency the shorter its wavelength. The unit of measure commonly used for light is the Angstrom (Å). One Angstrom = 10 to the minus 10th meter (a very short wavelength). The visible octave of light extends from 7000 Å (red) to 4000 Å (violet)--red having a longer wavelength than violet.

The mid-audio octave is six octaves up from the alpha brain wave octave, and the visible octave of light (color) is 40 octaves up from the mid-audio octave.

The Measurement of Light, Musical composition--adjusting a musical scale to the frequencies of Earth and Venus.

Planetary Harmonics in light, color, and sound for healing.

Natural verses man made frequencies.

An extensive update clarifying the Schumann Resonances.


The Measurement of Light.



When we think of a color of light, generally we are visualizing a narrow band of many frequencies that comprise a single color or shade of color. In the chart shown above, the center frequency (wavelength) of each of the basic colors is shown, as well as their corresponding audio and brain wave frequencies. Also shown is the conventional musical scale, which reveals where each note lies with respect to the colors in the light spectrum. For example, if we were to raise the note "C" forty octaves up, its corresponding color harmonic lies in the green part of the light spectrum. The note "A" raised forty octaves lies in the orange part of the spectrum.

The following chart shows the fundamental Earth harmonics in light, sound, and brain wave frequencies. All of these frequencies (and many more) create Earth's unique "Harmonic Signature."
 

The Schumann Resonances

The 7.83 Hz. Schumann Resonance figure many people hear about is a number made popular by researcher Robert Beck whose work on ELF signals, Earth resonances, and their affect on brain wave frequencies was presented at a U.S. Psychotronic conference and published in late 1970's. He reported that 7.83 Hz is a brainwave frequency often detected when psychics are in their intuiting mode. Others following his work proclaimed the Schumann Resonance to be 7.83 Hz., although this has led to some confusion as to the true nature of the Schumann Resonances (yes plural), and to the assumption that Earth herself resonates at this frequency, which it does not.

In actuality, there are several frequencies between 7 and 50 Hertz that compose the Schumann Resonances. These frequencies start at 7.8 Hz and progress by approximately 5.9 Hz. (7.8, 13.7, 19.6, 25.5, 31.4, 37.3, and 43.2 Hz.). These resonances are NOT composed of fixed or specific frequencies any more than the collective mood of human surface consciousness is fixed. Changes occurring in these frequencies are quite normal and do not indicate anything out of the ordinary. All of these frequencies fluctuate around their nominal values. For example, the fundamental Schumann frequency fluctuates between 7.0 Hz. to 8.5 Hz. These frequencies vary from geological location to location, and they can even have naturally occurring interruptions.

These frequencies were first calculated by Schumann in 1952, he reporting the lowest in the group to be about 10 Hz. They were later measured by the National Bureau of Standards at Boulder Colorado in the 1960's where the 7.8 Hz nominal figure was discovered with the 5.9 Hz progressing overtones.

The Schumann Resonances are the result of cosmic energy build-up within the cavity that exists between Earth's highly conductive surface and the conducting layer in the upper atmosphere called the ionosphere.* This creates a world-wide lightning display of broadband electromagnetic impulses that fill this cavity and that act as the stimulus for the cavity to resonate.

* A part of Earth's upper atmosphere is ionized plasma caused by the sun's ultraviolet radiation.
This layer, the ionosphere, couples Earth's outer magnetosphere with Earth's inner neutral atmosphere.

The Schumann Resonances are a part of many frequencies that create Earth's "Harmonic Signature."

The 7.8 Hz. Schumann fundamental frequency is quite close to Earth's 7.5 Hz. circumference harmonic (calculated using the speed of light at Earth's surface). It is also close to 8 Hz., an ideal number from a mathematical perspective. Because of all of these factors, the 7.83 Hz. frequency, the 7.8 Schumann Resonance or an 8 Hz. frequency, had been proclaimed by some to be an ideal frequency to attune to, and that to electronically generate a frequency in this range may even protect us from unwanted harmful frequencies--a point upon which I tend to differ and elucidate in the "Light and Sound for Healing" section below.

To support our greatest well being, and to make possible our evolution and spiritual awakening, we must allow ourselves (and our brainwave patterns) to breath in concert with mother Earth and with her natural cycles moment to moment. The Earth is a spherical receiver of cosmic energy (evolutionary intelligence) which directs our biological process and spiritual evolutionary unfoldment. The Earth re-radiates the cosmic information it receives from its core outward in complex long-wave signals. We receive these signals via our spinal columns and cranial structures (a vertical antenna system). The cranial cavity, the capstone to this antenna captures this information and re-focuses it to the pineal gland, a neuro-endocrine transducer in the center of the brain, where it is then transmitted (via the hypothalamus) as signals that direct the pituitary gland, the master control center of the brain. These signals are further distributed via the rest of the neurological sytem.

Signals in nature breath and meander. Only man made signals are well-defined sign-wave frequencies. It is possible to entrain the brain with artificially generated signals in a matter of seconds. We are not intended to function at one specific frequency. Entraining ourselves with artificially generated frequencies for extended periods, whether 8 Hz or by the 50 and 60 Hz power fields we live in, can be debilitating and is dangerous. It can create degeneration, disease, and mental, emotional, and physical disharmony and imbalance. Most importantly, it can keep us from receiving and integrating the cosmic intelligence provided by mother Earth in a harmonious way. That intelligence is responsible for our evolutionary awakening. It is more important now than ever to be attuned to Earth's core, and the natural cycles of nature for our psychophysiological stability and spiritual awakening.

There has also been rumor circulating in some esoteric circles about the 7.8 Hz. Schumann frequency increasing and that this implies a raising of the awareness or spirituality of human consciousness. In my opinion, both points are nonsense built upon misunderstandings about the fluctuating and multi-frequency nature of the Schumann Resonances and about the nature of frequencies in general. Even if it were true (which would require a significant change in the physical size of the Earth or in her surrounding atmosphere), an increase in frequency does not imply an increase in awareness--on the contrary if anything. From a philosophical perspective, if one were to extend their field of perception out to embrace more space, one would be relaxing their brainwave patterns toward a longer wavelength, toward zero, not increasing their brainwave frequencies. When people say, they are increasing in frequency, or increasing their vibrational rate, and they are referring to shifting from a material form to a light form, or to a more transcendent dimensional form, these terms (used to describe frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum) are really inappropriately applied. They are implying general concepts of thought only and should be understood as such.
Planetary Harmonic Comparisons

Although there are many other parameters creating each planet's "harmonic signature," the following chart is a comparison of the four basic parameters of each planet: rotation and sidereal period (time), and circumference and diameter (space). Corresponding brain wave frequencies, middle octave audio frequencies, and light wavelengths are shown for each planetary parameter.



Notice the close resonance between Jupiter's circumference harmonic and Pluto's circumference harmonic, and between Jupiter's diameter harmonic and Pluto's diameter harmonic. Astrologically, Jupiter and Pluto work well together, this being one indicator of why this is so. The same holds true for Pluto and Mercury. Many interesting correspondences can be found when exploring planetary harmonics. Another example is the close resonance between Mercury's rotation harmonic, and Neptune's sidereal period harmonic. An in-depth presentation of this ressearch and work which I began in the mid-1980s, I may publish in the future.
A Fun Exploration for Musicians and Sound Healers

The following material reveals how to adjust the pitch of the conventional musical scale so it resonates to different planetary harmonics--in this case, Earth or Venus. Composing music in a pitch resonant to Venus, for example, can bring out an entirely new expression and an entirely new response from the listener.

The following two charts show musical octaves adjusted to the planetary harmonics of Earth and Venus. The first chart is more educational in nature. It shows the conventional musical scale, the Pythagorean musical scale, and a musical scale shifted to resonate with Earth's mean circumference.

The Pythagorean musical scale is simply based on whole number progression of 8 Hertz as the fundamental frequency to create the note "C." That is, 8 Hz. raised 6 octaves is 512 Hz. This drops the pitch of the conventional musical scale--from middle C being 523 Hz. to middle C being 512 Hz. Eight hertz is very close to the Schumann Resonance of 7.8 Hz.

The musical scale based on Earth's circumference drops middle C yet further, down to 479.104 Hz.

Changing the Pitch of a Musical Instrument

Obviously it is not possible to change the pitch on all musical instruments, but the pitch can be changed slightly on some reed and string instruments, and on some synthesizers. Because the pitch is shifted the least amount based upon the Venus Sidereal Period, it may be the easiest one for most musical instruments to easily accommodate.

More sophisticated synthesizers may provide the capacity to vary the pitch to accommodate the other scales, and some may even offer the ability to program the frequency of each note individually (which provides a means to create non-conventional scales with the planetary harmonics). Either way, there is the need to have a frequency readout of at least one note to adjust the pitch control of the synthesizer. If a synth does not have this feature, it is simple to connect a "digital frequency counter" for this purpose. (Ask your local electronics' wiz to help). To adjust an acoustic instrument, simply use a microphone (and amp if required) fed into a "digital frequency counter."

There are many ways to explore the use of Planetary Harmonics. Applying them in musical composition is a safe approach. However, caution should be exercised if using any electronically generated frequency for a sustained period.
Planetary Harmonics in Light and Sound for Healing

My exploratory research in the 1980's using specific colors, sound, and geometry tuned to the planetary harmonics was extremely affective at stimulating mental, emotional, and physical response for healing purposes. The different harmonic parameters of one planet also have different effects as well (too involved to discuss in this introductory presentation). The use of specific frequencies in this more focused way should be explored only by those who have a thorough understanding of bio-energy medicine; light-sound technologies; mental, emotional, and physiological correspondences; and the "healing crisis" process.

Because of the entraining capacity of single electronically generated frequencies (as described under "Schumann Resonances"), if they are used for sustained periods, they can trigger and hold a person in any number of psycho-emotional states. For example, specific frequencies can trigger or accentuate any "condition of weakness." If a person has a thyroid condition and suppressed anger, certain frequencies may trigger this condition and enrage the person. If a person has a thymus (heart chakra) immune weakness and suppressed fear, sustained man-made frequencies can trigger and hold that person in extreme paranoia. (This type of entrainment already occurs due to the 50 and 60 Hertz electromagnetic fields people live in daily and the electronic devices they live with--including TV's and computers.) For this reason, and when using frequencies for healing purposes, specific frequencies (especially in coordinated color and sound), should be used in sequences or progressions designed to bring a person completely through a healing crisis rather than simply trigger the condition, or worse yet, sustain it.
Whole brain and body resonance

Although the use of individual frequencies might be used for healing, brain and body coaching, etc. the healthy brain and body functions in wide bandwidth of naturally occurring resonances, not at some idealized frequency.

Remember, living in a pure and unadulterated environment free of entraining frequencies, attuned to Earth, the lunar rhythms, and to the other natural astronomical cycles of life, is one of the healthiest things a person can

FROM:  http://eternitate.tripod.com/id16.html

 

FROM  http://www.auxmaillesgodefroy.com/planet_harmonics

Just as a tuning fork has natural frequencies for sound,
the planet Earth has natural frequencies,
called Schumann resonances,
for electromagnetic radiation. 
 
The Human Brain also has natural frequencies
for electromagnetic radiation. 
 
It turns out that the Earth's Schumann resonances are
"in tune" with the Human Brains's Alpha States and Theta States.
 from  http://www.valdostamuseum.org/hamsmith/Schumann.html

In physics, resonance is the tendency of a system to oscillate at a greater amplitude at some frequencies than at others. These are known as the system's resonant frequencies (or resonance frequencies). At these frequencies, even small periodic driving forces can produce large amplitude oscillations, because the system stores vibrational energy.

Resonance occurs when a system is able to store and easily transfer energy between two or more different storage modes (such as kinetic energy and potential energy in the case of a pendulum). However, there are some losses from cycle to cycle, called damping. When damping is small, the resonant frequency is approximately equal to the natural frequency of the system, which is a frequency of unforced vibrations. Some systems have multiple, distinct, resonant frequencies.

Resonance phenomena occur with all types of vibrations or waves: there is mechanical resonance, acoustic resonance, electromagnetic resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron spin resonance (ESR) and resonance of quantum wave functions. Resonant systems can be used to generate vibrations at a specific frequency (e.g. musical instruments), or pick out specific frequencies from a complex vibration containing many frequencies (e.g. filters).

Resonance was recognized by Galileo Galilei with his investigations of pendulums and musical strings beginning in 1602.^[3][4]

Resonance occurs widely in nature, and is exploited in many man-made devices. It is the mechanism by which virtually all sinusoidal waves and vibrations are generated. Many sounds we hear, such as when hard objects of metal, glass, or wood are struck, are caused by brief resonant vibrations in the object. Light and other short wavelength electromagnetic radiation is produced by resonance on an atomic scale, such as electrons in atoms. Other examples are:

Mechanical and acoustic resonance

• the timekeeping mechanisms of all modern clocks and watches: the balance wheel in a mechanical watch and the quartz crystal in a quartz watch
• the tidal resonance of the Bay of Fundy
• acoustic resonances of musical instruments and human vocal cords
• the shattering of a crystal wineglass when exposed to a musical tone of the right pitch (its resonant frequency)

Electrical resonance

• electrical resonance of tuned circuits in radios and TVs that allow individual stations to be picked up

Optical resonance

• creation of coherent light by optical resonance in a laser cavity

Orbital resonance in astronomy

• orbital resonance as exemplified by some moons of the solar system's gas giants

Atomic, particle, and molecular resonance

• material resonances in atomic scale are the basis of several spectroscopic techniques that are used in condensed matter physics.
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
  • Mössbauer effect
  • Electron Spin Resonance.

The exact response of a resonance, especially for frequencies far from the resonant frequency, depends on the details of the physical system, and is usually not exactly symmetric about the resonant frequency, as illustrated for the simple harmonic oscillator above. For a lightly damped linear oscillator with a resonant frequency Ω, the intensity of oscillations I when the system is driven with a driving frequency ω is typically approximated by a formula that is symmetric about the resonant frequency:^[5]

The intensity is defined as the square of the amplitude of the oscillations. This is a Lorentzian function, and this response is found in many physical situations involving resonant systems. Γ is a parameter dependent on the damping of the oscillator, and is known as the linewidth of the resonance. Heavily damped oscillators tend to have broad linewidths, and respond to a wider range of driving frequencies around the resonant frequency. The linewidth is inversely proportional to the Q factor, which is a measure of the sharpness of the resonance.

In electrical engineering, this approximate symmetric response is known as the universal resonance curve, a concept introduced by Frederick E. Terman in 1932 to simplify the approximate analysis of radio circuits with a range of center frequencies and Q values.^[6][7]

[edit] Resonators

A physical system can have as many resonant frequencies as it has degrees of freedom; each degree of freedom can vibrate as a harmonic oscillator. Systems with one degree of freedom, such as a mass on a spring, pendulums, balance wheels, and LC tuned circuits have one resonant frequency. Systems with two degrees of freedom, such as coupled pendulums and resonant transformers can have two resonant frequencies. As the number of coupled harmonic oscillators grows, the time it takes to transfer energy from one to the next becomes significant. The vibrations in them begin to travel through the coupled harmonic oscillators in waves, from one oscillator to the next.

Extended objects that experience resonance due to vibrations inside them are called resonators, such as organ pipes, vibrating strings, quartz crystals, microwave cavities, and laser rods. Since these can be viewed as being made of millions of coupled moving parts (such as atoms), they can have millions of resonant frequencies. The vibrations inside them travel as waves, at an approximately constant velocity, bouncing back and forth between the sides of the resonator. If the distance between the sides is , the length of a round trip is . In order to cause resonance, the phase of a sinusoidal wave after a round trip has to be equal to the initial phase, so the waves will reinforce. So the condition for resonance in a resonator is that the round trip distance, , be equal to an integer number of wavelengths  of the wave:

If the velocity of a wave is , the frequency is  so the resonant frequencies are:

So the resonant frequencies of resonators, called normal modes, are equally spaced multiples of a lowest frequency called the fundamental frequency. The multiples are often called overtones. There may be several such series of resonant frequencies, corresponding to different modes of vibration.

[edit] Q factor

The quality factor or Q factor is a dimensionless parameter that describes how under-damped an oscillator or resonator is,^[8] or equivalently, characterizes a resonator's bandwidth relative to its center frequency.^[9] Higher Q indicates a lower rate of energy loss relative to the stored energy of the oscillator, i.e. the oscillations die out more slowly. A pendulum suspended from a high-quality bearing, oscillating in air, has a high Q, while a pendulum immersed in oil has a low Q. Oscillators with high quality factors have low damping which tends to make them ring longer.

Sinusoidally driven resonators having higher Q factors resonate with greater amplitudes (at the resonant frequency) but have a smaller range of frequencies around the frequency at which they resonate. The range of frequencies at which the oscillator resonates is called the bandwidth. Thus, a high Q tuned circuit in a radio receiver would be more difficult to tune, but would have greater selectivity, it would do a better job of filtering out signals from other stations that lie nearby on the spectrum. High Q oscillators operate over a smaller range of frequencies and are more stable. (See oscillator phase noise.)

The quality factor of oscillators vary substantially from system to system. Systems for which damping is important (such as dampers keeping a door from slamming shut) have Q = ½. Clocks, lasers, and other systems that need either strong resonance or high frequency stability need high quality factors. Tuning forks have quality factors around Q = 1000. The quality factor of atomic clocks and some high-Q lasers can reach as high as 10^11[10] and higher.^[11]

There are many alternate quantities used by physicists and engineers to describe how damped an oscillator is that are closely related to its quality factor. Important examples include: the damping ratio, relative bandwidth, linewidth and bandwidth measured in octaves.

[edit] Types of resonance

[edit] Mechanical and acoustic resonance

Mechanical resonance is the tendency of a mechanical system to absorb more energy when the frequency of its oscillations matches the system's natural frequency of vibration than it does at other frequencies. It may cause violent swaying motions and even catastrophic failure in improperly constructed structures including bridges, buildings, trains, and aircraft. When designing objects, Engineers must ensure the mechanical resonant frequencies of the component parts do not match driving vibrational frequencies of motors or other oscillating parts, a phenomenon known as resonance disaster.

Avoiding resonance disasters is a major concern in every building, tower and bridge construction project. As a countermeasure, shock mounts can be installed to absorb resonant frequencies and thus dissipate the absorbed energy. The Taipei 101 building relies on a 660-tonne pendulum (730-short-ton) — a tuned mass damper — to cancel resonance. Furthermore, the structure is designed to resonate at a frequency which does not typically occur. Buildings in seismic zones are often constructed to take into account the oscillating frequencies of expected ground motion. In addition, engineers designing objects having engines must ensure that the mechanical resonant frequencies of the component parts do not match driving vibrational frequencies of the motors or other strongly oscillating parts.

Many clocks keep time by mechanical resonance in a balance wheel, pendulum, or quartz crystal

Acoustic resonance is a branch of mechanical resonance that is concerned with the mechanical vibrations across the frequency range of human hearing, in other words sound. For humans, hearing is normally limited to frequencies between about 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz (20 kHz),^[12]

Acoustic resonance is an important consideration for instrument builders, as most acoustic instruments use resonators, such as the strings and body of a violin, the length of tube in a flute, and the shape of, and tension on, a drum membrane.

Like mechanical resonance, acoustic resonance can result in catastrophic failure of the object at resonance. The classic example of this is breaking a wine glass with sound at the precise resonant frequency of the glass, although this is difficult in practice.^[13]

[edit] Electrical resonance

Electrical resonance occurs in an electric circuit at a particular resonant frequency when the impedance of the circuit is at a minimum in a series circuit or at maximum in a parallel circuit (or when the transfer function is at a maximum).

[edit] Optical resonance

An optical cavity or optical resonator is an arrangement of mirrors that forms a standing wave cavity resonator for light waves. Optical cavities are a major component of lasers, surrounding the gain medium and providing feedback of the laser light. They are also used in optical parametric oscillators and some interferometers. Light confined in the cavity reflects multiple times producing standing waves for certain resonant frequencies. The standing wave patterns produced are called modes. Longitudinal modes differ only in frequency while transverse modes differ for different frequencies and have different intensity patterns across the cross section of the beam. Ring resonators and whispering galleries are examples of optical resonators that do not form standing waves.

Different resonator types are distinguished by the focal lengths of the two mirrors and the distance between them. (Flat mirrors are not often used because of the difficulty of aligning them precisely.) The geometry (resonator type) must be chosen so the beam remains stable, i.e. the beam size does not continue to grow with each reflection. Resonator types are also designed to meet other criteria such as minimum beam waist or having no focal point (and therefore intense light at that point) inside the cavity.

Optical cavities are designed to have a very large Q factor;^[14] a beam will reflect a very large number of times with little attenuation. Therefore the frequency line width of the beam is very small compared to the frequency of the laser.

Additional optical resonances are guided-mode resonances and surface plasmon resonance, which result in anomalus reflection and high evanescent fields at resonance. In this case, the resonant modes are guided modes of a waveguide or surface plasmon modes of a dielectric-metallic interface. These modes are usually excited by a subwavelength grating.

[edit] Orbital resonance

In celestial mechanics, an orbital resonance occurs when two orbiting bodies exert a regular, periodic gravitational influence on each other, usually due to their orbital periods being related by a ratio of two small integers. Orbital resonances greatly enhance the mutual gravitational influence of the bodies. In most cases, this results in an unstable interaction, in which the bodies exchange momentum and shift orbits until the resonance no longer exists. Under some circumstances, a resonant system can be stable and self correcting, so that the bodies remain in resonance. Examples are the 1:2:4 resonance of Jupiter's moons Ganymede, Europa, and Io, and the 2:3 resonance between Pluto and Neptune. Unstable resonances with Saturn's inner moons give rise to gaps in the rings of Saturn. The special case of 1:1 resonance (between bodies with similar orbital radii) causes large Solar System bodies to clear the neighborhood around their orbits by ejecting nearly everything else around them; this effect is used in the current definition of a planet.

[edit] Atomic, particle, and molecular resonance

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is the name given to a physical resonance phenomenon involving the observation of specific quantum mechanical magnetic properties of an atomic nucleus in the presence of an applied, external magnetic field. Many scientific techniques exploit NMR phenomena to study molecular physics, crystals and non-crystalline materials through NMR spectroscopy. NMR is also routinely used in advanced medical imaging techniques, such as in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

All nuclei containing odd numbers of nucleons have an intrinsic magnetic moment and angular momentum. A key feature of NMR is that the resonant frequency of a particular substance is directly proportional to the strength of the applied magnetic field. It is this feature that is exploited in imaging techniques; if a sample is placed in a non-uniform magnetic field then the resonant frequencies of the sample's nuclei depend on where in the field they are located. Therefore, the particle can be located quite precisely by its resonant frequency.

Electron paramagnetic resonance, otherwise known as Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) is a spectroscopic technique similar to NMR, but uses unpaired electrons instead. Materials for which this can be applied are much more limited since the material needs to both have an unpaired spin and be paramagnetic.

The Mössbauer effect is the resonant and recoil-free emission and absorption of gamma ray photons by atoms bound in a solid form.

Resonance (particle physics): In quantum mechanics and quantum field theory resonances may appear in similar circumstances to classical physics. However, they can also be thought of as unstable particles, with the formula above valid if the Γ is the decay rate and Ω replaced by the particle's mass M. In that case, the formula comes from the particle's propagator, with its mass replaced by the complex number M + iΓ. The formula is further related to the particle's decay rate by the optical theorem.

[edit] Failure of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge

The dramatically visible, rhythmic twisting that resulted in the 1940 collapse of "Galloping Gertie," the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge, has sometimes been characterized in physics textbooks as a classical example of resonance. However, this description is misleading. The catastrophic vibrations that destroyed the bridge were not due to simple mechanical resonance, but to a more complicated interaction between the bridge and the winds passing through it — a phenomenon known as aeroelastic flutter. Robert H. Scanlan, father of bridge aerodynamics, has written an article about this misunderstanding.^[15]

[edit] Resonance causing a vibration on the International Space Station

The rocket engines for the International Space Station are controlled by autopilot. Ordinarily the uploaded parameters for controlling the engine control system for the Zvezda module will cause the rocket engines to boost the International Space Station to a higher orbit. The rocket engines are hinge-mounted, and ordinarily the operation is not noticed by the crew. But on January 14, 2009, the uploaded parameters caused the autopilot to swing the rocket engines in larger and larger oscillations, at a frequency of 0.5 Hz. These oscillations were captured on video, and lasted for 142 seconds.^[16]

[edit] The Schumann resonances (SR) are a set of spectrum peaks in the extremely low frequency (ELF) portion of the Earth's electromagnetic field spectrum. Schumann resonances are global electromagnetic resonances, excited by lightning discharges in the cavity formed by the Earth's surface and the ionosphere.

This global electromagnetic resonance phenomenon is named after physicist Winfried Otto Schumann who predicted it mathematically in 1952. Schumann resonances occur because the space between the surface of the Earth and the conductive ionosphere acts as a closed waveguide. The limited dimensions of the Earth cause this waveguide to act as a resonant cavity for electromagnetic waves in the ELF band. The cavity is naturally excited by electric currents in lightning. Schumann resonances are the principal background in the electromagnetic spectrum^[1] beginning at 3 Hz and extend to 60 Hz,^[2] and appear as distinct peaks at extremely low frequencies (ELF) around 7.83 (fundamental),^[3] 14.3, 20.8, 27.3 and 33.8 Hz.^[4][5]

In the normal mode descriptions of Schumann resonances, the fundamental mode is a standing wave in the Earth–ionosphere cavity with a wavelength equal to the circumference of the Earth. This lowest-frequency (and highest-intensity) mode of the Schumann resonance occurs at a frequency of approximately 7.83 Hz, but this frequency can vary slightly from a variety of factors, such as solar-induced perturbations to the ionosphere, which comprises the upper wall of the closed cavity^{[citation needed]}. The higher resonance modes are spaced at approximately 6.5 Hz intervals^{[citation needed]}, a characteristic attributed to the atmosphere's spherical geometry. The peaks exhibit a spectral width of approximately 20% on account of the damping of the respective modes in the dissipative cavity. The eighth overtone lies at approximately 59.9 Hz.^{[citation needed]}

Observations of Schumann resonances have been used to track global lightning activity. Owing to the connection between lightning activity and the Earth's climate it has been suggested that they may also be used to monitor global temperature variations and variations of water vapor in the upper troposphere. It has been speculated that extraterrestrial lightning (on other planets) may also be detected and studied by means of their Schumann resonance signatures. Schumann resonances have been used to study the lower ionosphere on Earth and it has been suggested as one way to explore the lower ionosphere on celestial bodies. Effects on Schumann resonances have been reported following geomagnetic and ionospheric disturbances. More recently, discrete Schumann resonance excitations have been linked to transient luminous events – sprites, elves, jets, and other upper-atmospheric lightning. A new field of interest using Schumann resonances is related to short-term earthquake prediction.

[edit] History

The first documented observations of global electromagnetic resonance were made by Nikola Tesla at his Colorado Springs laboratory in 1899. This observation led to certain peculiar conclusions about the electrical properties of the earth, and which made the basis for his idea for wireless energy transmission.^[6]

Tesla researched ways to transmit power and energy wirelessly over long distances (via transverse waves, to a lesser extent, and, more readily, longitudinal waves). He transmitted extremely low frequencies through the ground as well as between the Earth's surface and the Kennelly-Heaviside layer. He received patents on wireless transceivers that developed standing waves by this method. Making mathematical calculations based on his experiments, Tesla discovered that the resonant frequency of the Earth was approximately 8 hertz (Hz).^{[citation needed]} In the 1950s, researchers confirmed that the resonant frequency of the Earth's ionospheric cavity was in this range (later named the Schumann resonance).

The first suggestion that an ionosphere existed, capable of trapping electromagnetic waves, was made by Heaviside and Kennelly in 1902.^[7][8] It took another twenty years before Edward Appleton and Barnett in 1925,^[9] were able to prove experimentally the existence of the ionosphere.

Although some of the most important mathematical tools for dealing with spherical waveguides were developed by G. N. Watson in 1918,^[10] it was Winfried Otto Schumann who first studied the theoretical aspects of the global resonances of the earth–ionosphere waveguide system, known today as the Schumann resonances. In 1952–1954 Schumann, together with H. L. König, attempted to measure the resonant frequencies.^{[11][12][13][14]} However, it was not until measurements made by Balser and Wagner in 1960–1963^{[15][16][17][18][19]} that adequate analysis techniques were available to extract the resonance information from the background noise. Since then there has been an increasing interest in Schumann resonances in a wide variety of fields.

Today Schumann resonances are recorded at many separate research stations around the world. The sensors used to measure Schumann resonances typically consist of two horizontal magnetic induction coils for measuring the north-south and east-west components of the magnetic field, and a vertical electric dipole antenna for measuring the vertical component of the electric field. A typical passband of the instruments is 3–100 Hz. The Schumann resonance electric field amplitude (~300 microvolts per meter) is much smaller than the static fair-weather electric field (~150 V/m) in the atmosphere. Similarly, the amplitude of the Schumann resonance magnetic field (~1 picotesla) is many orders of magnitude smaller than the Earth magnetic field (~30–50 microteslas).^[21] Specialized receivers and antennas are needed to detect and record Schumann resonances. The electric component is commonly measured with a ball antenna, suggested by Ogawa et al., in 1966,^[22] connected to a high-impedance amplifier. The magnetic induction coils typically consist of tens- to hundreds-of-thousands of turns of wire wound around a core of very high magnetic permeability.

[edit] Dependence on global lightning activity

From the very beginning of Schumann resonance studies, it was known that they could be used to monitor global lightning activity. At any given time there are about 2000 thunderstorms around the globe.^[23] Producing ~50 lightning events per second,^[24] these thunderstorms create the background Schumann resonance signal.

Determining the spatial lightning distribution from Schumann resonance records is a complex problem: in order to estimate the lightning intensity from Schumann resonance records it is necessary to account for both the distance to lightning sources as well as the wave propagation between the source and the observer. The common approach is to make a preliminary assumption on the spatial lightning distribution, based on the known properties of lightning climatology. An alternative approach is placing the receiver at the North or South Pole, which remain approximately equidistant from the main thunderstorm centers during the day.^[25] One method not requiring preliminary assumptions on the lightning distribution^[26] is based on the decomposition of the average background Schumann resonance spectra, utilizing ratios between the average electric and magnetic spectra and between their linear combination. This technique assumes the cavity is spherically symmetric and therefore does not include known cavity asymmetries that are believed to affect the resonance and propagation properties of electromagnetic waves in the system.

[edit] Diurnal variations

The best documented and the most debated features of the Schumann resonance phenomenon are the diurnal variations of the background Schumann resonance power spectrum.

A characteristic Schumann resonance diurnal record reflects the properties of both global lightning activity and the state of the Earth–ionosphere cavity between the source region and the observer. The vertical electric field is independent of the direction of the source relative to the observer, and is therefore a measure of global lightning. The diurnal behavior of the vertical electric field shows three distinct maxima, associated with the three “hot spots” of planetary lightning activity: 9 UT (Universal Time) peak, linked to the increased thunderstorm activity from south-east Asia; 14 UT peak associated with the peak in African lightning activity; and the 20 UT peak resulting for the increase in lightning activity in South America. The time and amplitude of the peaks vary throughout the year, reflecting the seasonal changes in lightning activity.

[edit] ”Chimney” ranking

In general, the African peak is the strongest, reflecting the major contribution of the African “chimney” to the global lightning activity. The ranking of the two other peaks – Asian and American – is the subject of a vigorous dispute among Schumann resonance scientists. Schumann resonance observations made from Europe show a greater contribution from Asia than from South America. This contradicts optical satellite and climatological lightning data that show the South American thunderstorm center stronger than the Asian center.,^[24] although observations made from North America indicate the dominant contribution comes from South America. The reason for such disparity remains unclear, but may have something to do with the 60 Hz cycling of electricity used in North America (60 Hz being a mode of Schumann Resonance). Williams and Sátori^[27] suggest that in order to obtain “correct” Asia-America chimney ranking, it is necessary to remove the influence of the day/night variations in the ionospheric conductivity (day-night asymmetry influence) from the Schumann resonance records. On the other hand, such “corrected” records presented in the work by Sátori et al.^[28] show that even after the removal of the day-night asymmetry influence from Schumann resonance records, the Asian contribution remains greater than American. Similar results were obtained by Pechony et al.^[29] who calculated Schumann resonance fields from satellite lightning data. It was assumed that the distribution of lightning in the satellite maps was a good proxy for Schumann excitations sources, even though satellite observations predominantly measure in-cloud lightning rather than the cloud-to-ground lightning that are the primary exciters of the resonances. Both simulations – those neglecting the day-night asymmetry, and those taking this asymmetry into account, showed same Asia-America chimney ranking. As for today, the reason for the “invert” ranking of Asia and America chimneys in Schumann resonance records remains unclear and the subject requires further, targeted research.

[edit] Influence of the day-night asymmetry

In the early literature the observed diurnal variations of Schumann resonance power were explained by the variations in the source-receiver (lightning-observer) geometry.^[15] It was concluded that no particular systematic variations of the ionosphere (which serves as the upper waveguide boundary) are needed to explain these variations.^[30] Subsequent theoretical studies supported the early estimations of the small influence of the ionosphere day-night asymmetry (difference between day-side and night-side ionosphere conductivity) on the observed variations in Schumann resonance field intensities.^[31]

The interest in the influence of the day-night asymmetry in the ionosphere conductivity on Schumann resonances gained new strength in the 1990s, after publication of a work by Sentman and Fraser.^[32] Sentman and Fraser developed a technique to separate the global and the local contributions to the observed field power variations using records obtained simultaneously at two stations that were widely separated in longitude. They interpreted the diurnal variations observed at each station in terms of a combination of a diurnally varying global excitation modulated by the local ionosphere height. Their work, which combined both observations and energy conservation arguments, convinced many scientists of the importance of the ionospheric day-night asymmetry and inspired numerous experimental studies. However, recently it was shown that results obtained by Sentman and Fraser can be approximately simulated with a uniform model (without taking into account ionosphere day-night variation) and therefore cannot be uniquely interpreted solely in terms of ionosphere height variation.^[33]

Schumann resonance amplitude records show significant diurnal and seasonal variations which in general coincide in time with the times of the day-night transition (the terminator). This time-matching seems to support the suggestion of a significant influence of the day-night ionosphere asymmetry on Schumann resonance amplitudes. There are records showing almost clock-like accuracy of the diurnal amplitude changes.^[28] On the other hand there are numerous days when Schumann Resonance amplitudes do not increase at sunrise or do not decrease at sunset. There are studies showing that the general behavior of Schumann resonance amplitude records can be recreated from diurnal and seasonal thunderstorm migration, without invoking ionospheric variations.^[29][31] Two recent independent theoretical studies have shown that the variations in Schumann resonance power related to the day-night transition are much smaller than those associated with the peaks of the global lightning activity, and therefore the global lightning activity plays a more important role in the variation of the Schumann resonance power.^[29][34]

It is generally acknowledged that source-observer effects are the dominant source of the observed diurnal variations, but there remains considerable controversy about the degree to which day-night signatures are present in the data. Part of this controversy stems from the fact that the Schumann resonance parameters extractable from observations provide only a limited amount of information about the coupled lightning source-ionospheric system geometry. The problem of inverting observations to simultaneously infer both the lightning source function and ionospheric structure is therefore extremely underdetermined, leading to the possibility of nonunique interpretations.

[edit] The “inverse problem”

One of the interesting problems in Schumann resonances studies is determining the lightning source characteristics (the “inverse problem”). Temporally resolving each individual flash is impossible because the mean rate of excitation by lightning, ~50 lightning events per second globally, mixes up the individual contributions together. However, occasionally there occur extremely large lightning flashes which produce distinctive signatures that stand out from the background signals. Called "Q-bursts", they are produced by intense lightning strikes that transfer large amounts of charge from clouds to the ground, and often carry high peak current.^[22] Q-bursts can exceed the amplitude of the background signal level by a factor of 10 or more, and appear with intervals of ~10 s,^[26] which allows to consider them as isolated events and determine the source lightning location. The source location is determined with either multi-station or single-station techniques, and requires assuming a model for the Earth–ionosphere cavity. The multi-station techniques are more accurate, but require more complicated and expensive facilities.

[edit] Transient luminous events research

It is now believed that many of the Schumann resonances transients (Q bursts) are related to the transient luminous events (TLEs). In 1995 Boccippio et al.^[35] showed that sprites, the most common TLE, are produced by positive cloud-to-ground lightning occurring in the stratiform region of a thunderstorm system, and are accompanied by Q-burst in the Schumann resonances band. Recent observations^[35][36] reveal that occurrences of sprites and Q bursts are highly correlated and Schumann resonances data can possibly be used to estimate the global occurrence rate of sprites.^[37]

[edit] Global temperature

Williams [1992]^[38] suggested that global temperature may be monitored with the Schumann resonances. The link between Schumann resonance and temperature is lightning flash rate, which increases nonlinearly with temperature.^[38] The nonlinearity of the lightning-to-temperature relation provides a natural amplifier of the temperature changes and makes Schumann resonance a sensitive “thermometer”. Moreover, the ice particles that are believed to participate in the electrification processes which result in a lightning discharge^[39] have an important role in the radiative feedback effects that influence the atmosphere temperature. Schumann resonances may therefore help us to understand these feedback effects. A strong link between global lightning and global temperature has not been experimentally confirmed as of 2008.

[edit] Upper tropospheric water vapor

Tropospheric water vapor is a key element of the Earth’s climate, which has direct effects as a greenhouse gas, as well as indirect effect through interaction with clouds, aerosols and tropospheric chemistry. Upper tropospheric water vapor (UTWV) has a much greater impact on the greenhouse effect than water vapor in the lower atmosphere,^[40] but whether this impact is a positive, or a negative feedback is still uncertain.^[41] The main challenge in addressing this question is the difficulty in monitoring UTWV globally over long timescales. Continental deep-convective thunderstorms produce most of the lightning discharges on Earth. In addition, they transport large amount of water vapor into the upper troposphere, dominating the variations of global UTWV. Price [2000]^[42] suggested that changes in the UTWV can be derived from records of Schumann Resonances.

[edit] Schumann resonances on other planets

The existence of Schumann-like resonances is conditioned primarily by two factors: (1) a closed, planetary-sized spherical^{[dubious – discuss]} cavity, consisting of conducting lower and upper boundaries separated by an insulating medium. For the earth the conducting lower boundary is its surface, and the upper boundary is the ionosphere. Other planets may have similar electrical conductivity geometry, so it is speculated that they should possess similar resonant behavior. (2) source of electrical excitation of electromagnetic waves in the ELF range. Within the Solar System there are five candidates for Schumann resonance detection besides the Earth: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and its moon Titan.

Modeling Schumann resonances on the planets and moons of the Solar System is complicated by the lack of knowledge of the waveguide parameters. No in situ capability exists today to validate the results, but in the case of Mars there have been terrestrial observations of radio emission spectra that have been associated with Schumann resonances.^[43] The reported radio emissions are not of the primary electromagnetic Schumann modes, but rather of secondary modulations of the nonthermal microwave emissions from the planet at approximately the expected Schumann frequencies, and have not be independently confirmed to be associated with lightning activity at Mars. There is the possibility that future lander missions could carry in situ instrumentation to perform the necessary measurements. Theoretical studies are primarily directed to parameterizing the problem for future planetary explorers.

The strongest evidence for lightning on Venus comes from the impulsive electromagnetic waves detected by Venera 11 and 12 landers. Theoretical calculations of the Schumann resonances at Venus were reported by Nickolaenko and Rabinowicz [1982]^[44] and Pechony and Price [2004].^[45] Both studies yielded very close results, indicating that Schumann resonances should be easily detectable on that planet given a lightning source of excitation and a suitably located sensor.

On Mars detection of lightning activity has been reported by Ruf et al. [2009].^[43] The evidence is indirect and in the form of modulations of the nonthermal microwave spectrum at approximately the expected Schumann resonance frequencies. It has not been independently confirmed that these are associated with electrical discharges on Mars. In the event confirmation is made by direct, in situ observations, it would verify the suggestion of the possibility of charge separation and lightning strokes in the Martian dust storms made by Eden and Vonnegut [1973]^[46] and Renno et al. [2003].^[47] Martian global resonances were modeled by Sukhorukov [1991],^[48] Pechony and Price [2004]^[45] and Molina-Cuberos et al. [2006].^[49] The results of the three studies are somewhat different, but it seems that at least the first two Schumann resonance modes should be detectable. Evidence of the first three Schumann resonance modes is present in the spectra of radio emission from the lightning detected in Martian dust storms.^[43]

It was long ago suggested that lightning discharges may occur on Titan,^[50] but recent data from Cassini–Huygens seems to indicate that there is no lightning activity on this largest satellite of Saturn. Due to the recent interest in Titan, associated with the Cassini–Huygens mission, its ionosphere is perhaps the most thoroughly modeled today. Schumann resonances on Titan have received more attention than on any other celestial body, in works by Besser et al. [2002],^[51] Morente et al. [2003],^[52] Molina-Cuberos et al. [2004],^[53] Nickolaenko et al. [2003]^[54] and Pechony and Price [2004].^[45] It appears that only the first Schumann resonance mode might be detectable on Titan.

Jupiter is the only planet where lightning activity has been optically detected. Existence of lightning activity on that planet was predicted by Bar-Nun [1975]^[55] and it is now supported by data from Galileo, Voyagers 1 and 2, Pioneers 10 and 11 and Cassini. Saturn is also expected to have intensive lightning activity, but the three visiting spacecrafts – Pioneer 11 in 1979, Voyager 1 in 1980 and Voyager 2 in 1981, failed to provide any convincing evidence from optical observations. The strong storm monitored on Saturn by the Cassini spacecraft produced no visible lightning flashes, although electromagnetic sensors aboard the spacecraft detected signatures that are characteristic of lightning. Little is known about the electrical parameters of Jupiter and Saturn interior. Even the question of what should serve as the lower waveguide boundary is a non-trivial one in case of the gaseous planets. There seem to be no works dedicated to Schumann resonances on Saturn. To date there has been only one attempt to model Schumann resonances on Jupiter.^[56] Here, the electrical conductivity profile within the gaseous atmosphere of Jupiter was calculated using methods similar to those used to model stellar interiors, and it was pointed out that the same methods could be easily extended to the other gas giants Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Given the intense lightning activity at Jupiter, the Schumann resonances should be easily detectable with a sensor suitably positioned within the planetary-ionospheric cavity.

[edit] Speculation about Schumann resonance effects in non-geophysics domains

Interest in Schumann resonances extends beyond the domain of geophysics where it initially began, to the fields of bioenergetics^[57] and acupuncture.^[57] Critics^[who?] claim that the studies that support these applications are inconclusive and that further studies are needed.

A small study in Japan found that blood pressure was lowered by the Schumann resonance, with the effects on human health needing to be investigated further.^[58]

[edit]

ORBITS AND SPINS OF OUR PLANETS
PLANET	ORBIT	SPIN
EARTH NOTE	272.2(C#)	378.5(F#)
SUN NOTE	332.8(E)	497.1(B)
MOON NOTE	421.3(Ab)	None
MARS NOTE	289.4(D)	389.4(G)
MERCURY NOTE	282.4(D)	421.3(A)
JUPITER NOTE	367.2(F#)	473.9(Bb)
VENUS NOTE	442(A)	409.1(G#)
SATURN NOTE	295.7(D#)	455.4(A#)
URANUS NOTE	414.7(G#)	430.8(Ab)
NEPTUNE NOTE	422.8(Ab)	310.7(Eb)
PLUTO NOTE	280.5(C#)	486.2(B)

 

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