Collaborative Research: Multi-instrumented, Two-Dimensional (2D) Studies of Equatorial Spread F

这项研究将通过重新激活磁赤道附近的两台仪器来开发新的观测能力，磁赤道是一个在近地等离子体环境中拥有独特而令人费解的现象集的区域。这些现象的范围从将等离子体从赤道输送出去的大型等离子体喷泉到对卫星通信和导航产生不利影响的等离子体密度的小规模干扰。目前研究的重点是赤道扩散的ESF，这是一种多尺度等离子体结构，其起源尚不清楚。该项目将通过在Jicamarca射电天文台（JRO）的磁赤道站点对等离子体条件进行二维、多仪器观测来研究ESF的产生。该项目将更好地了解等离子体的基本过程，包括等离子体不稳定性和低地磁纬度的等离子体中性耦合，这是已知的等离子体干扰的重要来源，可以破坏无线电通信信道。通过这项工作，将进一步发展美国伙伴机构与国际伙伴（JRO）之间的协作联系。它还将通过直接支持一名博士后研究员和一名研究生，以及由首席研究员将这项研究的结果纳入课堂活动，促进教学和刺激研究与教育的整合。这项工作将包括(1)维修JRO的新雷达系统和气光成象仪，(2)在JRO进行ESF的二维无线电和光学观测，(3)ESF传播分析，以确定f区结构是在本地产生还是从其他地方传输，(4)将ESF的发生和强度与等离子体漂移测量进行比较，以评估午夜后，安静时间ESF可以在减弱的条件下形成的假设。(5)结合射电和光学观测资料，研究大尺度等离子体结构与深夜和午夜后ESF之间的因果关系。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This research will develop new observational capabilities by reactivating two instruments near the magnetic equator, a region which hosts a unique and puzzling set of phenomena in the near-Earth plasma environment. These phenomena range from large-scale plasma fountains that transport plasma away from the equator to small-scale disturbances in the plasma density that adversely affect satellite communication and navigation. The focus of the current investigation is on the equatorial spread F or ESF, a multi-scale plasma structure whose origins are poorly understood. This project will investigate generation of ESF by conducting two-dimensional, multi-instrumented observations of plasma conditions at the magnetic equatorial site of the Jicamarca Radio Observatory (JRO). This project will develop a better understanding of fundamental plasma processes including plasma instabilities and plasma-neutral coupling at low geomagnetic latitudes which are known to be a significant source of plasma disturbances that can disrupt radio communication channels. Further collaborative linkages between partner institutions in the US and an international partner (JRO) will be developed through this work. It will also promote teaching and stimulate integration of research and education by directly supporting one post-doctoral researcher and one graduate student, and by the Principal Investigator incorporating results from this research into classroom activities. The work will involve (1) a repair of a new radar system and airglow imager at JRO, (2) conducting 2D radio and optical observations of ESF at JRO, (3) ESF propagation analysis to determine whether F-region structures are generated locally or transported from another location, (4) comparing ESF occurrence and strength with plasma drift measurements to evaluate a hypothesis that post-midnight, quiet-time ESF can develop under conditions of weakening downward drifts, and (5) analysis of collocated radio and optical observations to study the causal relationship between large-scale plasma structures and ESF in the late-evening and post-midnight sectors.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.