High-Latitude Ionospheric Composition and its Importance to Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling

该项目将把联合收割机第一原理建模与现有观测和新的数据分析技术相结合，以更完整地描述高纬度地区的离子组成，特别是关于其可变性的驱动因素及其在调节供应给磁层的电离层离子的数量和类型方面的作用。 具体而言，理论建模将被用来量化的影响因素的离子成分的功效，和一种新的技术，估计离子成分的非相干散射雷达（ISR）数据将开发和应用于一个大型数据库的高纬度测量获得的Sondrestrom和AMISR设施，特别是。 POLAR/TIMAS使命的测量也将纳入分析，以评估离子流出与分子组成变化之间的关系。 通过这项工作改进的雷达遥感能力将为社区带来惠益，并将有助于增进对高纬度磁层-电离层耦合的理解，从而对空间气象预测和减缓以及CEDAR和GEM科学产生影响。

This project will combine first-principles modeling with extant observations and novel data analysis techniques to develop a more complete description of ion composition at high-latitudes, particularly regarding drivers of its variability and its role in regulating the amount and types of ionospheric ions supplied to the magnetosphere. Specifically, theoretical modeling will be used to quantify the efficacy of factors governing ion composition, and a new technique of estimating ion composition from incoherent scatter radar (ISR) data will be developed and applied to a large database of high-latitude measurements acquired from the Sondrestrom and AMISR facilities in particular. Measurements by POLAR/TIMAS mission will also be incorporated in the analysis to assess the relationship between ion outflow and variations in molecular composition. The improved radar remote sensing capability resulting from this work will be available for community benefit and will contribute to advancements in understanding magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling at high latitudes with implications for space weather prediction and mitigation as well as CEDAR and GEM science.