CEDAR: Clustered, Multi-Frequency Studies of the Thermosphere, Exosphere, and Topside Ionosphere

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Investigators continue characterizing the composition and dynamics of the upper thermosphere, exosphere, and topside ionosphere at mid-latitude. The methodology uses optical, infrared, and radar frequency remotes sensing techniques, in close association with radiative transport, photoelectron, neutral atmosphere, and ionospheric modeling. In particular, they hope to improve understanding of ion-neutral coupling in the topside F-region. Experimental and modeling efforts have led to new capabilities in measuring the concentrations of all major neutral and ion species in the topside ionosphere using the clustered instrumentation at the Arecibo Observatory. This project brings the techniques together, producing a comprehensive description of the upper thermosphere and lower exosphere. Scientifically, their focus is (1) the relation between hydrogen abundance in the topside ionosphere and increased methane in the troposphere, (2) the relation between hydrogen abundance and magnetic storms, (3) the effects of charge exchange on neutral hydrogen and oxygen abundances, and (4) the evaluation of new techniques to determine winds and temperatures in the topside ionosphere. During six observational campaigns, investigators measurements are utilizing Fabry-Perot interferometers, photometers, all-sky imagers, and the incoherent scatter radars at Arecibo and Jicamarca.