Support of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center for Research in Radio and Radar Astronomy (NAIC)

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This award covers the Space and Atmospheric Sciences (SAS) portion of the research conducted at the Arecibo Observatory. It includes the operation of the 450 MHz radar, lidar instrumentation, other passive optical instruments, and the ionospheric heating facility, planned for construction at the site. Scientific studies conducted by the SAS staff cover the altitude range from the middle atmosphere through the topside ionosphere. The staff will study ionospheric effects of meteor impacts, the chemistry and dynamics of the mesosphere, E-region instabilities, plasma composition and dynamics in the F-region, and minor ion species in the topside ionosphere. The staff also provides support for other atmospheric scientists using the Arecibo observatory as part of experimental campaigns. Scientists using the Arecibo instrumentation study a broad range of atmospheric phenomena relevant to studies of space weather and global change. When completed the ionospheric heating facility will allow study of artificially modified plasma processes, wave excitation, and ion-neutral coupling. With the 1000 foot antenna at the observatory, the 430 MHz radar is the most sensitive instrument of its kind in the world and it continues to provide unique observational data for a variety of scientific purposes.