Collaborative Research: Synergistic Merging of Traditional Aeronomy with Targeted High-Frequency (HF) Heating Diagnostics

合作研究：传统航空学与目标高频 (HF) 加热诊断的协同融合

基本信息

批准号：
1656912
负责人：
Herbert Carlson
金额：
$ 5万
依托单位：
Utah State University
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Standard Grant
财政年份：
2017
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2017-08-01 至 2019-05-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1656912&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
Collaborative Research Synergistic Merging Traditional

项目摘要

The work synergizes measurements at the incoherent scatter radar (ISR) facility at Arecibo Observatory (AO) to probe the ionosphere and the inner magnetosphere (or plasmasphere). These measurements shed light on ionospheric variability, and coupling between the ionosphere and the magnetosphere. This coupling regulates the transfer of energy from the Sun to the Earth, and is subject to intense variability associated with solar activity. This proposal also includes broader impacts in the form of undergraduate mentoring through the NSF REU program.The key process to facilitate the research is the artificial stimulation of high-energy ("suprathermal") electrons using high-power high, frequency radiation at AO. Suprathermal electrons enhance naturally occurring nighttime plasma emissions (?lines?), and travel along geomagnetic field lines. Tracking the spectral characteristics of suprathermal electron beams yields insight into the variability of the ionosphere, and transport of energetic electrons from the plasmasphere to the midlatitude ionosphere. This process is currently not well understood, but is important for understanding geomagnetic storm-time midlatitude phenomena, and their potential to disrupt communication and navigational systems. The PI will also leverage ISR electron and ion temperatures and plasma drifts to measure traveling ionospheric disturbances, and the propagation parameters of the atmospheric gravity waves thought to trigger them.

这项工作协同阿雷西博天文台 (AO) 的非相干散射雷达 (ISR) 设施的测量，以探测电离层和内磁层（或等离子体层）。这些测量揭示了电离层的变化以及电离层和磁层之间的耦合。这种耦合调节能量从太阳到地球的转移，并受到与太阳活动相关的强烈变化的影响。该提案还包括通过 NSF REU 计划以本科生指导的形式产生更广泛的影响。促进研究的关键过程是在 AO 中使用高功率高频率辐射对高能（“超热”）电子进行人工刺激。超热电子增强自然发生的夜间等离子体发射（“线”），并沿着地磁场线传播。跟踪超热电子束的光谱特征可以深入了解电离层的变化以及高能电子从等离子体层到中纬度电离层的传输。目前这个过程还没有被很好地理解，但对于理解地磁风暴时期的中纬度现象及其破坏通信和导航系统的潜力非常重要。 PI还将利用ISR电子和离子温度以及等离子体漂移来测量行进的电离层扰动，以及被认为触发这些扰动的大气重力波的传播参数。