SGER: Exploratory Investigation of Radar Backscatter Properties of Red Sprites and Midlatitude Spread F

该项目的目的是研究雷达探测红色精灵造成的大气变化的可能性。 精灵是从云顶向上延伸到电离层的闪光。 它们与大型雷暴系统有关。 目前的理论认为，精灵是由高层大气中的大电场加速带电粒子产生的。 这些粒子产生的电离可以被地面雷达系统探测到。 调查人员将在科罗拉多部署一台便携式雷达，以便作为1995年夏季进行的一项活动的一部分，在光学观测的配合下进行测量。 他们还打算测量中纬度扩展F回波，这是一种最近发现的现象，只发生在太阳活动较低的时期。 这些回波以前曾被日本的一台大得多的雷达探测到，但也有可能被本实验中使用的便携式雷达探测到。 如果成功，这些实验将导致为这两种大气现象开发新的诊断技术。

The purpose of this project is to investigate the possibility of radar detection of atmospheric changes resulting from red sprites. Sprites are flashes of light extending upward from cloud tops into the ionosphere. They occur in association with large thunderstorm systems. Current theories suggest that sprites are produced by large electric fields in the upper atmosphere that accelerate charged particles. These particles produce ionization that may be detectable by ground-based radar systems. The investigators will deploy a portable radar in Colorado so that the measurements can be made in coordination with optical observations as part of a campaign to be conducted in the summer of 1995. They also intend to make measurements of midlatitude spread F echoes, a recently discovered phenomenon that only occurs during periods of low solar activity. These echoes were previously detected by a much larger radar in Japan, but it is possible that they may also be detectable the portable radar to be used in this experiment. If successful, these experiments will lead to the development of new diagnostic techniques for these two atmospheric phenomena.***