Collaborative Research: MSI--Mid-Latitude SuperDARN Radar Infrastructure for the Study of Ionospheric Electrodynamics and Atmospheric Processes on Global Scales

该中型基础设施 (MSI) 项目的目标是建立 SuperDARN 高频 (HF) 雷达网络的中纬度延伸。 国际 SuperDARN 网络中的雷达测量地球电离层的重要特性，包括电场、等离子体结构和声重力波。 地球近太空环境研究的进展越来越依赖于全球范围内这些关键测量的可用性。 对 SuperDARN 数据产品的兴趣促使加拿大同事最近开发了一对极帽雷达，将 SuperDARN 功能扩展到最高纬度。 该 MSI 项目是由四个机构共同参与的项目，将产生八个新雷达，分布在从亚速尔群岛经美国中部延伸到阿留申群岛的弧线上的四个站点上。 新雷达将提供亚极光电离层和内磁层动态的前所未有的视图。 通过在美国东部（瓦洛普斯岛、黑石）和日本（北海道）部署单个孤立的 SuperDARN 雷达，证明了在中纬度地区进行此类测量的可行性。 现有雷达将在操作上并入 MSI 链。 这种大规模和长期观测能力的实现将为空间物理界提供新的基础设施和吸引学生参与前沿研究的宝贵工具。 从高纬度地区收集的 SuperDARN 数据被世界各地的空间科学家使用。 随着国际合作伙伴的不断增加，现有雷达网络经过 15 年的逐步发展。 该项目将开始在中纬度地区收购类似的基础设施，从而利用极地纬度地区的最新发展和现有的高纬度 SuperDARN 网络，扩大磁层、电离层和中性大气影响的覆盖范围。 目前用于 SuperDARN 数据和数据产品的协议和分发方法将用于确保同样轻松地访问数据。 正如高纬度 SuperDARN 的情况一样，国际合作伙伴同时寻求资金在欧洲和亚洲建造互补雷达。 该项目的参与者均与高等院校有联系，并将基础设施视为教学和研究投资。 来自高纬度 SuperDARN 雷达的数据为许多高级学位做出了贡献，中纬度延伸将提供更多机会。 合作机构的学生将在其所在机构和各个雷达站点积极参与该项目的工作。 该基础设施提供的测量将实现变革性科学，并支持磁层、电离层和高层大气物理学等广泛主题的研究。 同时，这项工作将：（1）为研究界提供广泛的中纬度电离层和大气数据集； (2) 为正在进行和未来的航天器和火箭任务提供大范围背景； (3) 为学生创造空间科学新的研究可能性； (4) 为美国大学的学生提供获得雷达技术和重大科学合作管理实践经验的机会。 所有数据和数据产品将通过 SuperDARN 网站免费提供。

The goal of this Mid-Size Infrastructure (MSI) project is to build a mid-latitude extension of the SuperDARN High Frequency (HF) radar network. Radars in the international SuperDARN network measure important properties of Earth's ionosphere, including electric fields, plasma structures, and acoustic gravity waves. Progress in the study of Earth's near-space environment increasingly relies on the availability of these critical measurements on global scales. The interest in SuperDARN data products has spurred the recent development of a pair of polar cap radars by Canadian colleagues, extending SuperDARN capabilities to the highest latitudes. This MSI project, which is a collaborative effort involving four institutions, will result in eight new radars distributed over four sites situated along an arc extending from the Azores through the central United States to the Aleutian Island chain. The new radars will provide unprecedented views of the dynamics of the subauroral ionosphere and inner magnetosphere. The feasibility of such measurements at middle latitudes has been demonstrated with the deployments of single, isolated SuperDARN radars in the eastern United States (Wallops Island, Blackstone) and in Japan (Hokkaido). The existing radars will be operationally folded into the MSI chain. The realization of this large-scale and long-term observational capability will furnish the space physics community with new infrastructure and a valuable tool for engaging students in cutting-edge research. SuperDARN data collected from high latitudes are used by space scientists all over the world. The existing radar network was developed incrementally over 15 years with the steady addition of international partners. This project will initiate the acquisition of comparable infrastructure at mid-latitudes thereby taking advantage of recent developments at polar latitudes and the existing high-latitude SuperDARN network to provide expanded coverage of effects in the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and neutral atmosphere. The protocols and distribution methods currently used for SuperDARN data and data products will be utilized to ensure the same ease of access to data. As occurred with high latitude SuperDARN, international partners are simultaneously seeking funds to build complementary radars in Europe and Asia. The participants in this project are all associated with institutions of higher learning and view the infrastructure as both a teaching and research investment. Data from the high-latitude SuperDARN radars have contributed to numerous advanced degrees and the mid-latitude extension will furnish many more opportunities. Students at the collaborating institutions will be heavily engaged in the work of this project both at their home institutions and at the individual radar sites. Measurements provided by the infrastructure will enable transformational science and support research across a broad range of topics in the physics of the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and upper atmosphere. At the same time, this effort will: (1) provide the research community with extensive mid-latitude ionospheric and atmospheric datasets; (2) provide large-scale context for ongoing and future spacecraft and rocket missions; (3) generate new research possibilities in space science for students; (4) provide opportunities for students at U.S. universities to gain hands-on experience with radar technology and in the management of a major scientific collaboration. All data and data products will be made freely available through the SuperDARN website.