Imaging Science and Modeling Investigations of the Upper Atmosphere

中性热层，中间层，E-区域电离层和F-区域电离层的观察和建模在四个位置，瞬态效应目前正在进行的挑战，准确的空气动力学建模。 瞬变现象和区域包括亚极光槽中的稳定极光红弧、赤道等离子体不稳定性、中纬度电离层不稳定性、与低纬度午夜温度最高值有关的异常风以及低中纬度重力波的产生和传播。 嵌套的仪器，包括全天空成像系统，非相干散射雷达，电离层探测仪，和整个仪器套件在高层大气设施中使用的观测研究，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比较，以隔离我们的物理理解相对于观测到的形态的缺点。

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.