Plasma layers, waves and fountains: Probing the ionosphere with over-the-horizon radars

地球上层大气的电离层——电离层——使高频无线电通信和雷达监视系统发射的无线电波弯曲，从而可以探测到地平线以外的目标。这项研究将为这一基础设施提供直接的科学支持，包括价值18亿美元的澳大利亚沿海监视雷达，用于定位和跟踪我们地区的船只和飞机，以及军事人员和在澳大利亚偏远地区生活或旅行的平民使用的无线电通信链路。该项目还将在与我们的政府和国防合作伙伴高度相关的领域提供培训，有可能提高科学和军事雷达的效率，从而有助于改善国家安全。

The ionised layers of the Earth’s upper atmosphere – the ionosphere - bend radio waves emitted by HF radio communication and radar surveillance systems allowing detection of targets beyond the horizon. This research will provide direct scientific support to this infrastructure including the $1.8B Australian coastal surveillance radars used to locate and track ships and planes in our region and radio communication links used by military personnel and civilians living or travelling in Australia’s remote territories. This project will also provide training in areas highly relevant to our partners in government and defense, potentially improve efficiency of scientific and military radars, and thus contribute to improving national security.