Collaborative Research: Synergistic Merging of Traditional Aeronomy with Targeted High-Frequency (HF) Heating Diagnostics

这项工作协同了阿雷西博天文台（AO）的非相干散射雷达（ISR）设施的测量，以探测电离层和内磁层（或等离子层）。这些测量揭示了电离层的可变性，以及电离层和磁层之间的耦合。这种耦合调节了从太阳到地球的能量转移，并受到与太阳活动相关的强烈变化的影响。该提案还包括通过NSF REU计划对本科生进行指导的更广泛的影响。促进研究的关键过程是在AO上使用高功率高频率辐射人工刺激高能（“超热”）电子。超热电子增强了夜间自然产生的等离子体发射（线），并沿着地磁力线传播。追踪超热电子束的光谱特征，可以深入了解电离层的变化，以及高能电子从等离子层向中纬度电离层的传输。这个过程目前还没有被很好地理解，但对于理解地磁风暴时的中纬度现象，以及它们破坏通信和导航系统的潜力是很重要的。PI还将利用ISR的电子和离子温度以及等离子体漂移来测量行进的电离层扰动，以及引发这些扰动的大气重力波的传播参数。

The work synergizes measurements at the incoherent scatter radar (ISR) facility at Arecibo Observatory (AO) to probe the ionosphere and the inner magnetosphere (or plasmasphere). These measurements shed light on ionospheric variability, and coupling between the ionosphere and the magnetosphere. This coupling regulates the transfer of energy from the Sun to the Earth, and is subject to intense variability associated with solar activity. This proposal also includes broader impacts in the form of undergraduate mentoring through the NSF REU program.The key process to facilitate the research is the artificial stimulation of high-energy ("suprathermal") electrons using high-power high, frequency radiation at AO. Suprathermal electrons enhance naturally occurring nighttime plasma emissions (?lines?), and travel along geomagnetic field lines. Tracking the spectral characteristics of suprathermal electron beams yields insight into the variability of the ionosphere, and transport of energetic electrons from the plasmasphere to the midlatitude ionosphere. This process is currently not well understood, but is important for understanding geomagnetic storm-time midlatitude phenomena, and their potential to disrupt communication and navigational systems. The PI will also leverage ISR electron and ion temperatures and plasma drifts to measure traveling ionospheric disturbances, and the propagation parameters of the atmospheric gravity waves thought to trigger them.