Radar Studies of the Low Latitude Ionosphere

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The PI will continue his studies of the low latitude ionosphere using incoherent radar measurements, global convection, and thermospheric and ionospheric numerical models. These studies' objectives are basic understanding of electrodynamic processes controlling the low latitude and equatorial ionospheres, and developing quiet time global climatological and storm time predictive analytical ionospheric electric field models. The PIs will use extensive radar measurements from Jicamarca and Arecibo, and auroral magnetic field data to model the response of the low and equatorial ionosphere-to-magnetosphere disturbances. Fejer will apply new data analysis procedures to examine the low latitude electrodynamic effects associated with high latitude convection enhancements and substorms, also with storm time wind driven electric fields, followed by large energy depositions into the high latitude ionosphere. High resolution experiments carried out at Arecibo and Jicamarca will use significantly more data taking and analysis procedures to study coupling of energy and momentum from lower altitudes into the low latitude ionosphere. Finally, the PIs will study effects of middle atmospheric and mesospheric processes on the variability of quiet-time equatorial plasma drifts using long period observational campaigns.***