Atmospheric Dynamics Using the Flatland Radar Observatory

研究人员建议继续运行和发展伊利诺斯州香槟-厄巴纳附近的平原雷达观测站。平地天文台的主要仪器是50兆赫ST雷达；它目前由一个地面气象站、一个无线电探空仪和一个由8台微气压计组成的阵列提供支持。该仪器将配备915兆赫的对流层低层雷达和配套的无线电声学探测系统（RASS），以测量对流层低层的风和温度剖面。科学目标是：(1)研究对流层和平流层下层的中尺度动力过程及其对大尺度动力学的影响；(2)研究湍流和折射率分层不规则等微尺度过程，并评估其对ST雷达测量精度的影响；(3)评估ST雷达技术的能力，特别是其在长时间内测量垂直速度的潜力。

The investigators propose continued operation and development of the Flatland Radar Observatory, near Champaign- Urbana, Illinois. The principle instrument at the Flatland Observatory is the 50 MHz ST radar; it is presently supported by a surface meteorological station, a radiosonde, and an array of eight microbarographs. This instrumentation will be supplemented with a 915 MHz lower tropospheric radar and an accompanying Radio Acoustic Sounding System (RASS) to measure wind and temperature profiles in the lower troposphere. The scientific objectives are: (1) to investigate mesoscale dynamical processes in the troposphere and lower stratosphere and their effects on larger scale dynamics; (2) to study microscale processes, including turbulence and stratified irregularities of refractive index, and to assess their effects on the accuracy and precision of ST radar measurements; and (3) to assess the capabilities of the ST radar technique, particularly its potential for measuring vertical velocities over extended times.