Collaborative Research: RINGS - RISR INvestigation of the Geospace System

在坚决湾非相干散射雷达 RISR-N 和 RISR-C 完成的推动下，将开展高纬度地球空间系统的多仪器协作调查，这两个雷达是部署到地磁极区的首个 ISR。 RISR-N 的初步结果揭示了意想不到的结构化和动态等离子体环境。为了了解这些新的测量结果并充分利用这种新的诊断能力，提出了一项实验活动，将 RISR 观测结果与来自并置光学传感器（法布里-珀罗干涉仪和光学中间层热层成像仪）、PolarDARN HF（高频）雷达、THEMIS 和 NORSTAR 相机网络以及全球 ISR 网络（特别是 Sondrestrom、Poker Flat 非相干散射雷达 (PFISR)、和欧洲非相干散射雷达（EISCAT））。该项目将利用 RISR 提供​​的新诊断信息来促进高纬度地球空间系统的合作研究。研究的指导性问题源于这一系统观点： 1. 是什么控制着等离​​子体密度斑块的内部结构和高频传播特性？ 2. 极光过程如何影响极地电离层的结构和组成，以及对全球范围的影响是什么？ 3. 极地纬度的等离子体和中性气体之间有哪些重要的相互作用？ 4. 上述过程如何控制等离子体在高纬度通量管上的分布？该项目将为建模者提供有关电离层边界的丰富信息，以增强我们对电离层边界的理解。等离子体结构机制的研究将对通信和全球导航卫星系统（GNSS）信号传播产生影响。对等离子体与中性相互作用的研究将揭示低层大气如何驱动全球地球空间系统。该研究将通过 8 个机构的国际合作进行（4 个来自美国，2 个来自加拿大，2 个来自日本）。该项目将有助于培训下一代地球物理学家，该团队将包括三名早期职业调查员。

A collaborative multi-instrument investigation of the high-latitude geospace system will be carried out, motivated by the completion of the Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radars RISR-N and RISR-C, the first ever ISRs deployed to the geomagnetic polar regions. Initial results from RISR-N have revealed an unexpectedly structured and dynamic plasma environment. In order to understand these new measurements and to fully exploit this new diagnostic capability, an experimental campaign is proposed that will synthesize RISR observations with data from the collocated optical sensors (Fabry-Perot Interferometer and Optical Mesosphere Thermosphere Imager), the PolarDARN HF (high frequency) radars, the THEMIS and NORSTAR camera networks, and the global ISR network (in particular, Sondrestrom, the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR), and the European Incoherent Scatter Radar (EISCAT)). This project will leverage the new diagnostic information provided by RISR to foster collaborative studies of the high latitude geospace system. The guiding questions of the investigation arise from this systems view: 1. What governs the internal structure and HF propagation characteristics of plasma density patches? 2. How do auroral processes affect structure and composition of the polar ionosphere, and what are the global-scale implications? 3. What are the important interactions between the plasma and neutral gases at polar latitudes? 4. How do the aforementioned processes control the distribution of plasma on high-latitude flux tubes? This project will provide a wealth of information on the ionospheric boundary for modelers to enhance our understanding of the ionospheric boundary. The investigation of plasma structuring mechanisms will have implications for communications and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal propagation. The investigation of plasma-neutral interactions will shed light on how the lower atmosphere drives the global geospace system. The research will be carried out through an 8-institution international collaborative (4 from the U.S., 2 from Canada, 2 from Japan). The project will contribute to training the next generation of geophysicists, and the team will include three early career investigators.