Collaborative Research: MSTIDs: Multi-Site Tomography of Ionospheric Disturbances

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Medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) are wave-like variations in ionospheric density and altitude that are widely observed from high to low latitudes. This project addresses questions of their origin and evolution by carrying out multi-site, multi-instrument investigations and applying tomographic reconstructions. The project will include outreach activities to students and the public in Puerto Rico. The tomographic technique will enable a deeper understanding of the electrodynamics of MSTIDs by creating wide area maps of the field-line integrated Pedersen conductivity independent of magnetic-field geometry. The following questions regarding the three-dimensional airglow structure will be addressed: (1) How does MSTID structure relate to the spatial/temporal distribution of field-line integrated Pederson conductivity? (2) Is MSTID plasma transport dominated by neutral winds or electrodynamics?