Collaborative Research: CEDAR: Understanding the High-to-Mid Latitude Ionospheric Response to Stratospheric Warmings

这项工作旨在更好地了解高纬度至中纬度电离层是如何与底层中层大气以及太阳和地磁驱动因素耦合的。该项目的目标是：(1)在最近的低至中度太阳活动期间，确定太阳、磁层和地磁驱动因素，并研究冬季高纬度和中纬度电离层如何响应这些驱动因素；(2)明确平流层突然变暖生命周期中中层大气驱动因子的时空变化，包括平流层、中间层和低层热层的极涡扰动和行星波；(3)研究在平流层突然变暖期间，来自上方的强迫（目标1）和来自下方的强迫（目标2）的组合如何控制高至中纬度电离层。该项目的一个主要目标是了解在低层大气波通量最大、太阳和磁层通量最小的情况下，低层大气强迫对高纬度和中纬度电离层的影响。将研究导致平流层轻微和主要变暖的高振幅行星波，以及它们对中纬度和高纬度电离层的影响。对具有强垂直耦合的大型动力学事件的关注有望发现安静时间电离层变率的新来源和机制。这些目标将通过NASA MERRA再分析数据、MLS和TIMED SABER卫星数据、非相干散射雷达数据以及WACCM-X/TIMEGCM建模工作的协同分析来实现。该项目将促进麻省理工学院和科罗拉多大学之间以及学科之间的合作关系。本科生将在两所院校参与研究。麻省理工学院干草堆天文台REU计划旨在通过与波多黎各大学系统的整合来吸引少数民族学生。

This effort seeks to develop a better understanding of how the high-to-mid latitude ionosphere is coupled to both the underlying middle atmosphere and to solar and geomagnetic drivers. Goals of the project are: (1) To specify solar, magnetospheric, and geomagnetic drivers during a recent period of low to moderate solar activity and to investigate how the wintertime high and mid-latitude ionosphere responds to these drivers; (2) To specify spatio-temporal variations in middle atmospheric drivers, including polar vortex disturbances and planetary waves throughout the stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere over the life cycle of sudden stratospheric warmings; (3) To investigate how the combination of forcing from above (goal 1) and forcing from below (goal 2) controls the high to mid-latitude ionosphere during the periods of sudden stratospheric warmings.A main objective of the project is to understand the impact of lower atmospheric forcing on the high and mid-latitude ionosphere under conditions when wave fluxes from the lower atmosphere are at the maximum, and solar and magnetospheric fluxes are at the minimum. High-amplitude stratospheric planetary waves that lead to minor and major stratospheric warmings will be investigated, and their impact on the middle and high-latitude ionosphere examined. The focus on large dynamical events with strong vertical coupling holds a promise of discovering new sources and mechanisms of quiet-time ionospheric variability. These goals will be achieved through collaborative analysis of NASA MERRA reanalysis data, MLS and TIMED SABER satellite data, incoherent scatter radars data, and WACCM-X/TIMEGCM modeling efforts.The project will foster a partnership between MIT and the University of Colorado, and also between disciplines. Undergraduate students will participate in the research at both institutions. The MIT Haystack Observatory REU program aims to attract minority students through integration with the Puerto Rican university system.