A Detailed View of Gravity Waves, Collision Cross Sections, and Currents in the Arecibo Upper Atmosphere

这是一个为期三年的项目，以阿雷西博天文台的非相干散射雷达和光学设施为中心进行观测和数据分析。 拟议研究的科学重点是阿雷西沃上空热层中的重力波，特别是与其详细特征和起源有关的问题。 将利用一种基于光电子增强等离子体波（PEPW）的特殊雷达技术以及提议小组开发的先进分析技术。 这些卫星提供了前所未有的精确度的电子密度测量，并使人们能够在任何时候，无论白天还是黑夜，都能在雷达观测中识别重力波。 除了与阿雷西博的雷达工作人员合作外，该提案还涉及广泛的合作，提供来自成像仪，激光雷达和其他仪器的辅助数据以及解释这些观测结果的广泛专业知识。 本科生和研究生的研究机会将作为本提案的一部分提供，以及在阿雷西博天文台的其他公共宣传和教育活动。

This is a three-year project to conduct an observation and data analysis effort centered on the incoherent scatter radar and optical facilities at the Arecibo Observatory. The scientific focus of the proposed study is gravity waves in the thermosphere over Arecibo, especially questions related to their detailed characteristics and origin. A special radar technique based on Photo-Electron Enhanced Plasma Waves (PEPW) as well as advanced analysis techniques developed by the proposing team will be utilized. These provide electron density measurements of unprecedented accuracy and allow for the identification of gravity waves in the radar observations at all times, day and night. In addition to collaboration with the radar staff at Arecibo, the proposal involves an extensive collaboration providing auxiliary data from imagers, lidars, and other instruments as well as widespread expertise on interpretation of these observations. Undergraduate and graduate student research opportunities will be provided as part of this proposal as well as other public outreach and educational activities at the Arecibo Observatory.