Collaborative Research: Comprehensive Investigation of Midlatitude Ionospheric Irregularities

该项目将利用位于整个加勒比地区的一套广泛的地面仪器所获得的测量数据，研究高层大气区域之间的动力和电动力相互作用。具体来说，研究将集中于描述中性和电动力学不规则性的发展，这些不规则性与电离层下部（E区）的零星、斑片状层形成、电离层扰动以及电离层E区和f区耦合相关的准周期性不规则性有关。这些现象的实验研究将利用波多黎各阿雷西博的非相干散射雷达，以及阿雷西博成像仪和激光雷达系统的主动和被动光学遥感。还计划利用新的阿雷西博设施进行电离层改造的积极实验。为了补充阿雷西博仪器，将使用一套相干散射雷达成像仪，一套位于圣克罗伊岛，另一套将部署在西印度群岛的多米尼加岛，作为拟议工作的一部分，用于定位等离子体不规则现象，确定其中等规模的结构，并首次将其置于定量地面测量的范围内。该项目将大大扩展加勒比地区的地面基础设施，这将使学生和国际合作者都受益。

This project will investigate the dynamic and electrodynamic interactions between upper atmospheric regions using measurements acquired by an extensive suite of ground-based instrumentation located throughout the Caribbean. Specifically, the research will focus on characterizing the development of neutral and electrodynamic irregularities related to sporadic, patchy layer formation in the lower (E-region) ionosphere, traveling ionospheric disturbances, and quasi-periodic irregularities associated with coupling between the ionospheric E- and F-regions. Experimental investigation of these phenomena will utilize the incoherent scatter radar at Arecibo, Puerto Rico, in addition to active and passive optical remote sensing by Arecibo imagers and LIDAR systems. Active experiments using the new Arecibo facility for ionospheric modification are also planned. To supplement the Arecibo instrumentation, a set of coherent scatter radar imagers, one located on St. Croix and one to be deployed on the island of Dominica in the West Indies as part of the proposed work, will be used to locate plasma irregularities, identify their intermediate-scale structuring, and place them in the context of quantitative, ground-based measurements for the first time. This project will result in a significant expansion of ground-based infrastructure in the Caribbean which will benefit both students and international collaborators.