Imaging Science and Modeling Investigations of the Upper Atmosphere

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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.