Radar investigations of the auroral and polar cap ionosphere

极光和极帽电离层的雷达调查

• 批准号: 194324-2008
• 负责人: Hussey, Glenn
• 金额: $ 1.72万
• 依托单位: University of Saskatchewan
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2010-01-01 至 2011-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=452670
• 关键词: Radar; investigations; auroral; polar; cap

My research interests involve the ionospheric high-latitude E- (altitude about 100 km) and F- regions (altitude of 200 to 1000 km) of the Earth's ionosphere. The ionosphere is the portion of the atmosphere where there are relatively few, although physically sufficient, free electrons and ions (ionised or charged particles) present within the already very low neutral atmosphere concentration at these E- and F-region altitudes. These charged particles significantly influence the behaviour in these regions and form the transition region, or near-Earth space environment, between our neutral Earth environment and the outer space environment. The E-region has a low concentration of ionised particles which can be setup into oscillating structures due to flowing currents. These structures are know as plasma waves and can be detected with radars looking into this region. Similar plasma structures occur in the F-region where the ionisation concentration is larger, but still relatively small overall. My research uses radars to probe and characterise the plasma environment of the E- and F-regions. One type of radar scatters radio waves from plasma waves to give details such as plasma wave strength and motions. Another type of radar reflects radio waves from the ionised particles to give information about particle density and motions. Working with these radars, and other instruments which measure different important ionospheric parameters, allows researchers to better understand the ionosphere and the processes within it. This, in turn, will enhance our understanding and ability to predict `space weather.' Space weather affects our modern daily lives in a number of ways, such as: 1) our dependence on the now large number of Earth satellites used for communication, television, banking, etc. and the direct exposure of these satellites to the potentially damaging space environment; 2) the very recent exponential increase in commercial airline flight paths over the pole and their critical dependence on reliable communications at these high latitudes. As Canada is a high northern latitude country with extensive northern landmass, we are in the ideal situation to study and support fundamental space weather research and predictions for the benefit of all humankind.

我的研究兴趣涉及电离层高纬度E-（海拔约100公里）和F-区（海拔200至1000公里）的地球电离层。 电离层是大气的一部分，在这些E和F区域高度上，在已经非常低的中性大气浓度中存在相对较少的自由电子和离子（电离或带电粒子）。 这些带电粒子对这些区域的行为产生重大影响，并形成中性地球环境与外层空间环境之间的过渡区域，即近地空间环境。 E区具有低浓度的电离粒子，其可以由于流动电流而设置成振荡结构。 这些结构被称为等离子体波，可以用雷达探测到。 类似的等离子体结构出现在F区，其中电离浓度较大，但总体上仍然相对较小。 我的研究使用雷达探测和探测E区和F区的等离子体环境。 一种类型的雷达从等离子体波中散射无线电波，以提供诸如等离子体波强度和运动的细节。 另一种类型的雷达反射来自电离粒子的无线电波，以提供有关粒子密度和运动的信息。 利用这些雷达和其他测量不同重要电离层参数的仪器，研究人员可以更好地了解电离层及其内部的过程，这反过来又将提高我们对“空间天气”的认识和预测能力。“空间天气以多种方式影响我们的现代日常生活，例如：1）我们依赖于现在大量的用于通信，电视，银行等的地球卫星，这些卫星直接暴露在潜在的破坏性空间环境中;（二）最近，商业航空公司在极点上空的飞行路径呈指数级增长，而且它们对这些地方的可靠通信的严重依赖，高纬度地区 由于加拿大是一个北方高纬度国家，拥有广阔的北方陆地，我们处于研究和支持基础空间气象研究和预测以造福全人类的理想状态。