Collaborative Research: Meteor Plasma Formation and Dynamics with Implication for Radar Measurements

地球的高层大气是由分子，原子和电离流星密集。这些粒子对于维持E区电离层（~90-150公里）的导电性非常重要。它们可以用无线电和光学方法来感知，因此提供了大量关于高层大气状态和它们起源的地外环境的信息。然而，目前对流星输入总量的估计仅精确到大约两个数量级以内。必须改进这种估计，因为流星的化学作用影响到地球，从地表上方大约150公里一直到冰芯。这项研究将应用雷达数据和第一原理计算机模型来追踪流星等离子体在电离层中的演变。该项目将支持一名全日制研究生和一名本科生。主要研究人员（PI）的工作将产生对地球高层大气贡献最大的流星类型的知识。这些信息对空间科学家、工程师和天文学家都很重要。航天器设计者需要知道粒子轨道和质量的分布，以减轻潜在的危险。流星群特征提供了更好的了解太阳系外的演变和组成。PI和联合PI将继续努力，通过与K-12学校的联系，与更大的社区分享他们对太空和流星科学的知识和热情。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的评估被认为值得支持智力优点和更广泛的影响审查标准。

Earth's upper atmosphere is densely populated by molecular, atomic and ionized meteors. These particles are important for maintaining the conductivity of the E region ionosphere (~90-150 km). They can be sensed using radio and optical methods, and therefore provide a great deal of information about the state of the upper atmosphere and the extraterrestrial environments of their origin. However, current estimates of total meteoric input are accurate only to within approximately two orders of magnitude. It is important to improve upon such estimates, since meteor chemistry affects Earth from roughly 150 km above the surface all the way down to the ice cores. The research will apply radar data and first-principles computer models to trace the evolution of meteor plasma in the ionosphere. The project will support a full-time graduate student and an undergraduate. The Principal Investigators (PIs)' work will yield knowledge of the types of meteors that contribute most to Earth's upper atmosphere. This information is important to Space scientists, engineers, and astronomers. Spacecraft designers need to know the distribution of particle orbits and masses in order to mitigate potential hazards. Meteor population characteristics provides greater understanding of the evolution and composition of the outer solar system. The PIs and co-PI will continue their efforts to share their knowledge and enthusiasm about space and meteor science with the larger community through outreach to K-12 schools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.