First Results from VLF Observations during the Transarctica 2019 Polar Expedition

The first results are presented for observations of the VLF emissions (1–15 kHz) conducted at polar latitudes during the expedition Transarctica 2019, which was organized by the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. The observations were conducted onboard the Akademik Treshnikov vessel with highly sensitive equipment developed at the Polar Geophysical Institute. Bursts of the VLF emission of the auroral hiss type were registered on 13 of the 26 observational days. These bursts were simultaneously observed at Barentsburg Observatory, which is ~600 km to the west and ~160 km to the south. However, these bursts were not registered at lower auroral latitudes at the same meridian at Lovozero Observatory or at a Finnish station, Kannuslehto. One of the most typical cases, the auroral VLF hiss of April 11, 2019, is considered in detail. It is concluded that the region of the exit of the studied auroral hiss from the ionosphere to the Earth’s surface was local and limited in latitude.