Studies of the Dynamics of the Equatorial Ionosphere Using a Latitudinal Network of Global Positioning System (GPS) Receivers

获奖者将继续在南美洲西海岸附近运营一个由五个全球定位系统接收器组成的网络。 这些数据用于研究赤道电离层的动态，并开发预测电离层振荡发生的技术。 赤道电离层是地球上发生最多电离的地方。 电离层F区的低密度等离子体泡的上升是产生等离子体振荡的主要原因。 这种现象被称为赤道扩展F。 到目前为止，还不可能预测赤道扩展F的逐日变化。 该项目包括对电离层总电子含量进行常规观测，研究中性风对不规则性形成的影响，设计预测扩散F的方法，以及将总电子含量测量值反演为电离分布图。 这些数据将通过万维网传播给其他科学家，供正在进行的研究工作使用。 将对全球定位系统接收器进行升级，并安装软件，以提供电子总含量和电离层的近实时地图。 第六个接收器将部署在哥伦比亚的北方边界附近。 这项研究将提高预报能力，有助于保护导航和通信系统免受闪烁的不利影响。

The awardee will continue operating a network of five Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers near the west coast of South America. The data are used to study the dynamics of the equatorial ionosphere, and to develop techniques to forecast the onset of ionospheric scintillations. The equatorial ionosphere is the location on Earth where the most scintillations occur. The occurrence of scintillations is mainly associated with the uprising of low-density plasma bubbles in the F region of the ionosphere. This phenomenon is called equatorial spread F. Thus far, it has not been possible to forecast the day-to-day variability of equatorial spread F. This project includes the routine observation of total electron content in the ionosphere, the study of the influence of neutral winds on irregularity formation, the design of a methodology for forecasting spread F, and in inversion of total electron content measurements to ionization profiles. The data will be disseminated via the World Wide Web to other scientists for use in ongoing research efforts. The GPS receivers will be upgraded and software implemented to provide near real-time maps of total electron content and scintillations. A sixth receiver will be deployed near the northern boundary of Columbia. This study will lead to improved forecasting capabilities that will help protect navigation and communication systems from the adverse effects of scintillation.