CEDAR: Dynamics of the Neutral Upper Atmosphere and Coupling to the Topside Ionosphere

CEDAR：中性高层大气的动力学以及与上部电离层的耦合

• 批准号: 0940257
• 负责人: John Noto
• 金额: $ 76.57万
• 依托单位: Scientific Solutions Incorporated
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-02-15 至 2016-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0940257&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: CEDAR; Dynamics; Neutral; Upper; Atmosphere

This is a 5-year project to investigate observationally the dynamic and chemical coupling of the neutral upper thermosphere to the exosphere, to the ionosphere, and to the lower thermosphere using passive optical and incoherent scatter radar (ISR) techniques. The project builds on upgraded instrumentation and advanced experimental optical and infrared techniques that were developed under the proposing team's previous CEDAR grant. Three recently upgraded Fabry-Perot Interferometers (FPIs) at Arecibo Observatory will be used to study nightglow emissions from O, H, He. The main science goal is to quantify the nighttime neutral transport from the lower thermosphere to the exosphere using the three high resolution FPIs to measure neutral temperatures and winds. Simultaneous ISR measurements of ion densities, ion drifts, ion temperatures, and electron temperature in the topside ionosphere will also be obtained. This allows for the investigation of the dynamic thermal and chemical coupling between the major neutral and ionic species in the upper thermosphere, exosphere and topside ionosphere. Specifically, the three FPIs and two photometers will be operated in campaign-mode, during four new moon periods each year of the five-year program, which carries this observational research effort through the next solar maximum. Two of these campaigns are scheduled in the fall and winter each year, a third in the spring, and a fourth near September equinox. Based on this, a number of specific outstanding science questions will be addressed, including: 1) Is there a persistent population of hot oxygen in the upper thermosphere and topside ionosphere? 2) Is the enhancement of tropospheric methane abundance during the second half of the 20th century altering the composition at the top of atmosphere? 3) How do neutral winds vary with altitude in the thermosphere and exosphere? 4) What is magnitude and semi-diurnal behavior of vertical neutral winds near the F2-peak? The project has significant broader impacts. The measurements and scientific findings that will result from the project are relevant both to space weather and climate research. The project will support the early career development of a Hispanic female scientist as well as two other female professionals and also will support the infrastructure at Arecibo Observatory through the further development of the current instrumentation there and through extensive collaboration with the observatory personnel.

这是一个为期 5 年的项目，旨在利用无源光学和非相干散射雷达 (ISR) 技术观测研究中性上层热层与外逸层、电离层和下层热层的动态和化学耦合。 该项目建立在升级的仪器和先进的实验光学和红外技术的基础上，这些技术是在提案团队之前的 CEDAR 资助下开发的。阿雷西博天文台最近升级的三台法布里-珀罗干涉仪 (FPI) 将用于研究 O、H、He 的夜光排放。主要科学目标是使用三个高分辨率 FPI 测量中性温度和风来量化从低层热层到外逸层的夜间中性传输。 还将获得上部电离层中离子密度、离子漂移、离子温度和电子温度的同步 ISR 测量。 这使得可以研究热层上部、外逸层和上部电离层中主要中性和离子物质之间的动态热和化学耦合。 具体来说，三个 FPI 和两个光度计将在五年计划中每年的四个新月期间以活动模式运行，该计划将观测研究工作持续到下一个太阳活动极大期。其中两次活动安排在每年的秋季和冬季，第三次安排在春季，第四次安排在九月春分附近。 在此基础上，将解决一些具体的突出科学问题，包括：1）热层上部和电离层上部是否存在持续存在的热氧？ 2）20世纪下半叶对流层甲烷丰度的增加是否改变了大气顶部的成分？ 3）中性风如何随热层和外逸层的高度变化？ 4) F2 峰值附近垂直中性风的震级和半日行为如何？该项目具有更广泛的影响。 该项目产生的测量结果和科学发现与空间天气和气候研究相关。该项目将支持一名西班牙裔女科学家以及另外两名女性专业人员的早期职业发展，还将通过进一步开发阿雷西博天文台现有仪器以及与天文台工作人员的广泛合作来支持阿雷西博天文台的基础设施。