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

这个项目的目的是研究雷达探测到由红色精灵引起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。它们与大雷暴系统一起发生。目前的理论认为，精灵是由高层大气中的大型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州部署一个便携式雷达，以便在光学观测的配合下进行测量，作为将于1995年夏季进行的运动的一部分。他们还打算测量中纬度散射F回波，这是一种最近发现的现象，只发生在太阳活动不活跃的时期。这些回声以前是由日本的一个更大的雷达探测到的，但也有可能是在这个实验中使用的便携式雷达探测到的。如果成功，这些实验将导致对这两种大气现象的新诊断技术的发展

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.***