The Distribution and Source of Plasma Blobs in Low-middle Latitudes

中低纬度等离子体团的分布及来源

• 批准号: 1237276
• 负责人: Hyosub Kil
• 金额: $ 36.49万
• 依托单位: Johns Hopkins University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-06-01 至 2016-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1237276&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Distribution; Source; Plasma; Blobs; Low

This is a study to identify the source of plasma blobs (local increases in plasma density) at low and middle latitudes. Specifically, the researchers will address the following science questions: (1) What are the underlying geophysical conditions for the creation of blobs? (2) Are plasma bubbles a prerequisite for the creation of plasma blobs? (3) Are plasma blobs associated with traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs)? (4) What is the relationship between blobs and middlelatitude electron density irregularities? Conventional wisdom is that blobs are byproducts of bubbles, but this hypothesis is challenged by the recent observation of blobs in the absence of bubbles in the equatorial region. This project searches for alternative sources of blobs as well as clarifying the causal relationship between bubbles and blobs. Our focused investigation by analyzing various observation data will provide a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics, distribution, and source of blobs that have not yet been fully explored. Recent Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) satellite observations have provided an unprecedented opportunity to investigate the blob phenomenon with use of ample blob events for several years. In addition, radar, all-sky imager, and other satellite observations are available simultaneously with the C/NOFS observations. The results of this study will advance understanding of the source of the electron density irregularities that are problematic in satellite communication and navigation systems. Case studies will be carried out by using all-sky image data at Arecibo in Puerto Rico, Kototabang in Indonesia, and Bohyun in South Korea to verify the association of blobs with TIDs. The relationship between blobs and middle-latitude irregularities will be determined by examining Korea radar data. Electron density irregularities cause problems in modern technology and are a significant space weather feature that requires global observations to understand their characteristics and predict their occurrence. This project will promote the international collaboration in two aspects: (1) participation of the graduate students in South Korea and Malaysia to the project and (2) utilization of international observation data. Space science is a growing field in those countries, but those countries lack experts in that field. The training and mentoring through this project will support their growth.

这是一项研究，以确定在低纬度和中纬度等离子体斑点（等离子体密度的局部增加）的来源。具体来说，研究人员将解决以下科学问题：（1）创建斑点的基本地球物理条件是什么？(2)等离子体气泡是产生等离子体团的先决条件吗？(3)等离子体团与电离层扰动（TID）有关吗？(4)斑点和中纬度电子密度不规则性之间的关系是什么？传统观点认为，斑点是气泡的副产品，但最近在赤道地区没有气泡的情况下观察到斑点，这一假设受到了挑战。这个项目寻找斑点的替代来源，并澄清泡沫和斑点之间的因果关系。我们通过分析各种观测数据进行重点调查，将全面了解尚未充分探索的斑点的特征，分布和来源。最近的通信/导航中断预报系统（C/NOFS）的卫星观测提供了一个前所未有的机会，研究斑点现象与使用大量的斑点事件数年。此外，雷达、全天空成像仪和其他卫星观测与C/NOFS观测同时提供。这项研究的结果将促进对卫星通信和导航系统中存在问题的电子密度不规则性的来源的理解。将通过使用波多黎各的Arecibo、印度尼西亚的Kototabang和韩国的Bohyun的全天空图像数据进行案例研究，以验证斑点与TID的关联。斑点与中纬度不规则性之间的关系将通过检查韩国的雷达数据来确定。电子密度不规则性给现代技术带来问题，是一个重要的空间气象特征，需要全球观测才能了解其特征并预测其发生。该项目将在两个方面促进国际合作：（1）韩国和马来西亚的研究生参与该项目;（2）利用国际观测数据。空间科学在这些国家是一个日益发展的领域，但这些国家缺乏这一领域的专家。通过这个项目的培训和指导将支持他们的成长。