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The Scale of Extremely Low Frequency and Astrophysical Waves

A gigametre (Gm) is equal to 1,000,000,000 metres (10⁹ m) and is used to describe extraordinarily long wavelengths found primarily in the extremely low frequency (ELF) band and in astrophysical phenomena. These wavelengths correspond to frequencies in the millihertz to microhertz range, far below typical human-made radio communications. Gigametre-scale wavelengths are associated with very slow oscillations in space plasmas, planetary magnetospheres, and cosmic radio waves.

For example, a frequency of 1 microhertz (10⁻⁶ Hz) corresponds to a wavelength of about 300 million kilometres (300 Gm), which is roughly twice the distance from the Earth to the Sun. Such enormous wavelengths are significant in studying solar-terrestrial interactions, long-period gravitational waves, and other phenomena in astrophysics and cosmology.

Although gigametre wavelengths are not practical for terrestrial communications, they help scientists understand the large-scale electromagnetic environment of the solar system and beyond. Using the gigametre unit allows researchers to quantify these immense scales and analyze signals and waves that influence planetary environments, space weather, and the interstellar medium.

Measuring Ultra-Low Frequencies

The attohertz (aHz) is an extremely small unit of frequency equal to 10⁻¹⁸ hertz, or one cycle per 10¹⁸ seconds (about 31.7 billion years). This unit is used to describe ultra-low frequency phenomena that occur on cosmic or geological timescales, far beyond everyday human experience.

Attohertz frequencies are relevant in cosmology, astrophysics, and geophysics, where they help scientists study processes that evolve over billions of years. For example, gravitational waves generated by massive cosmic events or the oscillations of the Earth’s magnetic field can be characterized by frequencies in the attohertz range. These waves have enormous wavelengths, often spanning millions or billions of kilometres.

Because the attohertz corresponds to such a long period between cycles, it is mostly used in theoretical research rather than practical applications. Understanding phenomena at this scale gives insight into the fundamental workings of the universe, including the slow evolution of cosmic structures, the expansion of space-time, and the early conditions following the Big Bang.