CAREER: Multi-Technique Study of Ionospheric Irregularities at Mid-Latitudes

这个CAREER项目的研究部分侧重于开发和部署两组光学和无线电设备，以研究高层大气中纬度F区域夜间发生的不规则现象。教育部分通过开发与本研究中使用的仪器相关的模块和实验室实验，将研究整合到课堂中。此外，PI将在伊利诺伊大学开设一门关于全球定位系统（GPS）的新课程。由宽视场电离层成像系统、双频GPS接收器和单频GPS闪烁监测器组成的两组仪器将部署在阿雷西博天文台以南的加勒比地区。这些仪器将成为波多黎各阿雷西博天文台现有的用于研究电离层不规则现象的仪器的补充。该研究项目将集中于以下一系列科学问题：1)在加勒比海观测到的夜间f区结构的物理范围、季节特性和寿命是什么？2)夜间f区电离层中不同类型结构的成因区域和机制是什么？它们是本地生长的，还是来自低纬度地区？这些不规则现象对跨电离层无线电波的传播有什么影响？3)在严重地磁风暴期间，美国部门常见的电子密度增强是否有效地在关键的跨电离层无线电链路上产生闪烁？以前的研究缺乏空间覆盖来解决这些问题，也没有仪器来测量闪烁对关键卫星链路的影响。这两个缺点在本研究中都得到了解决。课程开发是该项目的一个组成部分，将使本科生和研究生水平的学生通过实践经验巩固在课堂上获得的基础知识。将开发新的教室模块和实验室。积极的本科生将被鼓励参与研究项目，增加他们的教育广度。研究生也将参与该项目的各个方面，为他们发展成为下一代科学家做出贡献。

The research component of this CAREER project focuses on developing and deploying two clusters of optical and radio equipment to study irregularities that occur in the nighttime mid-latitude F region of the upper atmosphere. The education component integrates the research conducted into the classroom through the development of modules and laboratory experiments pertaining to the instrumentation used in this study. Additionally, the PI will be developing a new course on the Global Positioning System (GPS) at the University of Illinois. Two clusters of instrumentation consisting of a wide-field ionospheric imaging system, a dual-frequency GPS receiver, and a single-frequency GPS scintillation monitor will be deployed to the Caribbean region south of the Arecibo Observatory. These instruments will augment those already in place at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico for studying ionospheric irregularities. The research project will focus on the following set of science questions: 1) What are the physical extent, seasonal properties, and lifetimes of nighttime F-region structures observed over the Caribbean?2) What is the genesis region and mechanism for the different types of structures present in the nighttime F-region ionosphere? Do they grow locally, or are they coupled from low latitudes? What effect on trans-ionospheric radio wave propagation do these irregularities have? 3) Are the enhancements in electron density commonly seen in the American sector during severe geomagnetic storms effective in creating scintillations on critical trans-ionospheric radio links?Previous studies lacked the spatial coverage to address these questions, nor did they have instrumentation to measure the scintillation effects on critical satellite links. Both of these shortcomings are addressed in this research.Curriculum development is an integral part of this project and will enable students at both the undergraduate and graduate level to solidify fundamental knowledge gained in the classroom through hands-on experiences. New classroom modules and laboratories will be developed. Motivated undergraduate students will be encouraged to become involved in the research program, increasing the breadth of their education. Graduate students will also participate in all aspects of this project, contributing to their development into the next generation of scientists.