Continuing Theoretical Studies of Dynamical Processes in the Ionosphere

电离层动力学过程的持续理论研究

• 批准号: 1441774
• 负责人: Robert Schunk
• 金额: $ 30万
• 依托单位: Utah State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-07-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1441774&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Continuing; Theoretical; Studies; Dynamical; Processes

Changes in the upper atmosphere and in its ionized part (ionosphere) can be detrimental to human activities. They can affect satellite drag, which in turn affects satellite lifetimes. Short term changes can lead the formation of storm-enhanced densities, rising atmospheric bubbles, solar flare-induced ionization enhancements, and propagating atmospheric holes and plasma patches. These upper atmospheric disturbances have adverse effects on GPS navigation systems, power grids, over-the-horizon radar systems, and High Frequency (HF) communications used by the military, emergency responders, and airlines. This research is focused on elucidating the physics that governs these processes, leading to improved specification and forecast models, and better mitigation strategies for adverse upper atmosphere weather disturbances. Space 'climate' studies will involve the use of long-duration radar and satellite datasets and model studies to determine the reasons for long-term upper atmosphere changes. The primary goals of this research are to study the effects that various plasma and neutral gas transport processes have on the ionosphere-thermosphere system, and to study coupling mechanisms that are relevant to the near-Earth space environment. The research involves an extensive use of data from NSF-funded and other ground-based facilities and satellites, including data from Incoherent Scatter Radars [Arecibo, Millstone Hill, Poker Flat (PFISR), Resolute Bay (RISR) and EISCAT], SuperDARN radars, ionosondes, and satellites (DMSP, ACE and SDO). The research will be conducted with the aid of high-resolution, global-scale, physics-based models of the ionosphere, thermosphere, and electrodynamics. The project will focus on long-term ionospheric changes and observation and modeling of the space-atmosphere interaction region.

高层大气及其电离部分（电离层）的变化可能对人类活动有害。它们会影响卫星阻力，从而影响卫星的寿命。短期变化可以导致风暴增强密度的形成，上升的大气气泡，太阳耀斑引起的电离增强，以及传播的大气空穴和等离子体斑块。这些高层大气扰动对GPS导航系统、电网、超视距雷达系统以及军方、应急响应人员和航空公司使用的高频（HF）通信具有不利影响。这项研究的重点是阐明管理这些过程的物理学，从而改进规范和预报模型，以及更好地缓解不利的高层大气天气扰动的战略。空间“气候”研究将涉及使用长期雷达和卫星数据集以及模型研究，以确定高层大气长期变化的原因。这项研究的主要目标是研究各种等离子体和中性气体输运过程对电离层-热层系统的影响，并研究与近地空间环境有关的耦合机制。该研究涉及广泛使用来自NSF资助的和其他地面设施和卫星的数据，包括来自非相干散射雷达[Arecibo，Millstone Hill，Poker Flat（PFISR），Resolute Bay（RISR）和EISCAT]，SuperDARN雷达，电离层探测器和卫星（DMSP，ACE和SDO）的数据。研究将借助电离层、热层和电动力学的高分辨率、全球规模、基于物理学的模型进行。该项目将侧重于电离层的长期变化以及空间-大气层相互作用区域的观测和建模。