CEDAR: MISETA--Ion-Neutral Coupling

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The investigators continue studying the coupled thermosphere/ionosphere system at the equator under a program referred to as MISETA (Multi-Instrumented Studies of Equatorial Thermosphere Aeronomy). MISETA involves coordinated measurements by a variety of instruments at Jicamarca, Ancon, and Arequipa in Peru. These instruments provide data on the neutral and ionized atmosphere, including vertical and zonal ion drifts, electron densities, ion, electron and neutral temperatures, zonal, meridional and vertical neutral winds, spread-F and scintillation activity. The investigators examine and characterize solar variations in the equatorial thermospheric winds and temperatures, and how these variations relate to developing scintillation activity and spread-F. The all-sky imaging data characterizes developing depletions and F-region structures as conditions become more dynamic with the higher solar fluxes. They also observe developing zonal wind and temperature asymmetry with anti-correlated F-region gradients as the increasing plasma density couples into the zonal motions introduced by gravity wave oscillations, resulting in conversion of gravity wave energy into a localized region of heating. The researchers are coordinating observations with the Jicamarca Radio Observatory to observe the gravity wave effects in horizontal and vertical ion drifts. MISETA is a collaborative effort involving scientists at Clemson University, Boston College, and Boston University.