Imaging Science and Modeling Investigations of the Upper Atmosphere

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The investigators will undertake a unified program of atmospheric science research that merges state-of-the-art experimental capabilities in optical aeronomy, use of advanced numerical models, in-depth graduate student training, robust collaborations with colleagues in the US and abroad, and significant general education and public outreach activities. The effort includes fixed-site atmospheric observations in five locations, campaign-mode experiments, and utilization of multi-diagnostic facilities, model development, and satellite-ground based data analyses efforts. The group will conduct observations in four global regions where geophysical activity displays transient effects of intrinsic scientific interest and recognized societal impact: auroral, sub-auroral, mid-latitude and equatorial phenomena. These include the study of so-called tall auroral rays, proton aurora, sub-auroral red (SAR) arcs, equatorial plasma instabilities, anomalous winds from the midnight temperature maximum, and the use of ionosondes to validate modeling of ionospheric variability. The group will continue its existing program in general education and public outreach through discussion group activities at the weekly "Open Nights" at the Boston University Observatory. Research expertise with instrumentation and remote-site observations will bring solar-terrestrial science to lay audiences using advanced video methods.