Imaging Science and Modeling Investigations of the Upper Atmosphere

中性热层、中间层、e区电离层和f区电离层在四个地点进行了观测和建模，这些地点的瞬态效应对精确的大气模型提出了持续的挑战。瞬变现象和区域包括亚极光槽内稳定的极光红弧、赤道等离子体不稳定、中纬度电离层不稳定、低纬度与午夜最高温度相关的异常风、中低纬度重力波的产生和传输。观测研究中使用了包括全天成像系统、非相干散射雷达、电离层探空仪和高层大气设施整套仪器在内的嵌套仪器，并与已建立的热层-电离层-电动力学环流模型（TIEGCM）和其他基于物理的模型进行了比较，以找出我们对观测形态的物理理解方面的缺陷。

The neutral thermosphere, mesosphere, E-region ionosphere, and F-region ionosphere is observed and modeled in four locations where transient effects present ongoing challenges for accurate aeronomical modeling. The transient phenomena and regions include stable auroral red (SAR) arcs in the sub-auroral trough, equatorial plasma instabilities, mid-latitude ionospheric instabilities, anomalous winds associated with the midnight temperature maximum at low latitudes, and gravity wave generation and transmission at low-to-mid latitudes. Nested instrumentation including all-sky imaging systems, incoherent scatter radars, ionosondes, and entire instrument suites at upper atmospheric facilities are used in the observational research, and comparisons with established Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) and other physics-based models are implemented to isolate shortcomings in our physical understanding relative to observed morphologies.