Coordinated Imaging and Incoherent Scatter Radar for Sub-Auroral Ionospheric Research

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Monochromatic imaging devices are like television cameras, with the capability added to make images in the light of just one wavelength, such as that emitted at 630 nm wavelength when ionospheric oxygen ions recombine. However, they have much greater sensitivity to low light levels than television cameras, and read out the image data in digital form directly into computers. An imager is to be built that provides images of the whole sky and is equipped with a set of filters to image in any one of four wavelengths. In this way the structure of the emissions from several levels such as from Na and O at 85km and 95km altitude, and N2+ and O+ from 150 and 250 km altitude can be made. The imager is to be used in conjunction with the radar at Millstone Hill for study of magnetic storm effects on the ionosphere. It will also be taken to other parts of the USA, Canada and overseas for observations with other instruments in CEDAR coordinated campaigns, such as in studies of the waves and winds in the mesopause region (80 to 100km altitude). The PI and his associates are international experts in construction of this equipment and in image data processing and interpretation of the results.