What is HAARP?

Last week we talked about whether or not you believe in chemtrails. This week, we’re going to tackle another controversial weather topic known as HAARP. Some people believe that this secret government facility has the power to alter weather patterns and even control people’s thoughts. Many unexplained phenomena, such as the 2009 Norwegian spiral anomaly, have quickly come under the suspicion of HAARP. Can it cause Earthquakes? Was it responsible for tragedies like TWA 800? Is it simply a case of fearing what we do not understand? Let’s break it down.

HAARP stands for High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program. It’s a joint project between the US NAVY, US Air Force, University of Alaska, and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) which was designed and developed by BAE Advanced Technologies. It is nothing more than a modern-day communications research facility located in Gakona, Alaska. There are actually quite a few similar facilities around the world.

The main conspiracy theory is centered around HAARP’s ability to stimulate targeted areas of Earth’s ionosphere. Some believe that this stimulation can cause enough heat to impact the stratosphere by moving jet streams north or south. There is even motif to support such an act. By keeping the polar jet stream to the north as long as possible, more agricultural yield could possibly be harvested. The power needed to move a jet stream is much greater than the energy that HAARP generates at maximum power. Leave that for the troughs, ridges, cyclones, and anti-cyclones that naturally bring us our seasons.

Is HAARP a weapon? No. Aside from the disruption of radio signals where research is conducted, HAARP is harmless. The ionosphere is beyond reach of the stratosphere weather-wise. There is little that can be done to the stratosphere to affect the ionosphere and vice-versa. To think that HAARP had anything to do with a tragedy like TWA 800 is making a very bold and uneducated statement.

In fact, HAARP is hardly a secret facility. All actions are logged for public record and public tours are given to visitors. The University of Alaska is actually looking to own HAARP outright as it endures a contractor regime change. Data collected from the stimulation of the ionosphere will help future radio communications for both the public and private sectors. It might help us maintain GPS signal and communications during solar flares and geomagnetic storms. It is in the best interest of our species not a secret government threat. Again just like chemtrails, we fear what we do not understand! Don’t let the words of a conspiracy theorist take away from the awesome technology advancement that our best scientists have made.

What does HAARP mean to you? Be safe! JC

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons, Michael Kleiman, US Air Force

Jonathan Carr

Jonathan Carr (JC) is the founder and sole operator of Weather NJ, New Jersey’s largest independent weather reporting agency. Since 2010, Jonathan has provided weather safety and forecasting services for New Jersey and immediate surrounding areas through the web and social media. Originally branded as Severe NJ Weather (before 2014), Weather NJ is proud to bring you accurate and responsible discussions ahead of high-stakes weather scenarios that impact the garden state. All Weather. All New Jersey.™