Collaborative Research: Common Volume Radar Observations of Irregular Sporadic E Layers

这是一个为期4年的项目，利用阿雷西博非相干散射雷达、其仪器组和将部署在圣克鲁瓦维尔京群岛大学附近的新的相干散射成像雷达，调查中纬度零星E层、层不规则性和所谓的准周期回波。 在2002年夏天进行了一项试点研究，结果表明，QP回波产生于细长的，波浪状的结构，在零星的E层的那种，以前已经观察到在阿雷西博，并暂时与对流驱动的中性剪切不稳定性。圣克鲁瓦新的自主雷达进行的长期远程观测将与阿雷西博设施一起用于评估中性中间层-低热层区域的稳定性，确定层结构的真正原因，并研究产生QP回波所涉及的等离子体物理学。零星的E层和不规则性极大地影响了高频和甚高频无线电波的传播，因此该项目也与空间气象有关。 该项目将把高层大气研究方面的教育经验带给夏威夷大学多样化的本科生群体以及康奈尔大学和克莱姆森大学的研究生。此外，圣克鲁瓦的成像雷达将成为阿雷西博设施的一部分，并增加非相干散射雷达和光学仪器的能力。它将为阿雷西博天文台的仪器组增加相干散射能力，社区可以使用该仪器组研究零星的E、中纬度扩散F和流星回波，以及其他普遍感兴趣的主题。这是一个多机构的提案，来自康奈尔大学，克莱姆森和UVI的共同研究者和学生参加。

This is a 4-year project to investigate mid-latitude sporadic E layers, layer irregularities, and so-called quasi-periodic (QP) echoes using the Arecibo incoherent scatter radar, its instrument cluster, and a new coherent scatter imaging radar to be deployed near the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) on St. Croix. A pilot study was carried out during the summer of 2002 which showed that the QP echoes arose from elongated, wavelike structures in sporadic E layers of the kind that has previously been observed at Arecibo and tentatively been associated with convection driven by neutral shear instabilities. Long-term, remote observations by the new autonomous radar in St. Croix will be used together with the Arecibo facility to assess the stability of the neutral mesosphere-lower-thermosphere (MLT) region, identifying the true cause of the layer structuring, and studying the plasma physics involved in producing the QP echoes. Sporadic E layers and irregularities drastically affect HF and VHF radio wave propagation so the project also has space weather relevance. The project will bring educational experiences in upper atmospheric research to the diverse undergraduate student body at UVI, as well as to graduate students at Cornell and Clemson University. Furthermore, the imaging radar on St. Croix will become part of the Arecibo facility and add to the capabilities of the Incoherent Scatter Radar and optical instrumentation. It will add coherent scatter capabilities to the Arecibo Observatory instrument cluster, accessible by the community for studies of sporadic E, mid-latitude spread F, and meteor echoes, among other topics of general interest. This is a multi-institution proposal with co-investigators and students from Cornell, Clemson, and UVI participating.