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

这个中型基础设施（MSI）项目的目标是建立超级高频（HF）雷达网络的中纬度延伸。国际superdamn网络中的雷达测量地球电离层的重要特性，包括电场、等离子体结构和声引力波。地球近空间环境研究的进展越来越依赖于全球尺度上这些关键测量的可用性。对超级雷达数据产品的兴趣促使加拿大同事最近开发了一对极地雷达，将超级雷达的能力扩展到高纬度地区。该MSI项目是由四个机构共同努力的结果，将产生8个新雷达，分布在从亚速尔群岛穿过美国中部到阿留申岛链的弧形沿线的四个地点。新的雷达将提供前所未有的亚极光电离层和内磁层的动态视图。在美国东部（瓦洛普斯岛、黑石）和日本（北海道）部署单个、孤立的超级雷达，证明了在中纬度地区进行这种测量的可行性。现有的雷达将被折叠到MSI链中。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。世界各地的太空科学家都在使用从高纬度地区收集的超级数据。现有的雷达网络是在15年的时间里逐步发展起来的，国际伙伴也在不断增加。该项目将开始在中纬度地区获取类似的基础设施，从而利用极地纬度地区的最新发展和现有的高纬度超级雷达网络，扩大磁层、电离层和中性大气的影响覆盖范围。将利用目前用于superdamn数据和数据产品的协议和分发方法来确保同样容易地访问数据。与高纬度超级雷达一样，国际合作伙伴正在同时寻求资金，在欧洲和亚洲建立互补的雷达。该项目的参与者都与高等教育机构有关，并将基础设施视为教学和研究投资。来自高纬度superdam雷达的数据为许多高级学位做出了贡献，而中纬度扩展将提供更多的机会。合作院校的学生将在各自的院校和各自的雷达站大量参与该项目的工作。基础设施提供的测量将使科学转型成为可能，并支持磁层、电离层和高层大气物理领域广泛主题的研究。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规模背景；(3)为学生创造空间科学研究的新可能性；(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都将通过superdamn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.