Radar investigations of the auroral and polar cap ionosphere

极光和极帽电离层的雷达调查

• 批准号: 194324-2008
• 负责人: Hussey, Glenn
• 金额: $ 1.72万
• 依托单位: University of Saskatchewan
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2009-01-01 至 2010-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=423206
• 关键词: Radar; investigations; auroral; polar; cap

My research interests involve the ionospheric high-latitude E- (altitude about 100 km) and F- regions (altitude of 200 to 1000 km) of the Earth's ionosphere. The ionosphere is the portion of the atmosphere where there are relatively few, although physically sufficient, free electrons and ions (ionised or charged particles) present within the already very low neutral atmosphere concentration at these E- and F-region altitudes. These charged particles significantly influence the behaviour in these regions and form the transition region, or near-Earth space environment, between our neutral Earth environment and the outer space environment. The E-region has a low concentration of ionised particles which can be setup into oscillating structures due to flowing currents. These structures are know as plasma waves and can be detected with radars looking into this region. Similar plasma structures occur in the F-region where the ionisation concentration is larger, but still relatively small overall. My research uses radars to probe and characterise the plasma environment of the E- and F-regions. One type of radar scatters radio waves from plasma waves to give details such as plasma wave strength and motions. Another type of radar reflects radio waves from the ionised particles to give information about particle density and motions. Working with these radars, and other instruments which measure different important ionospheric parameters, allows researchers to better understand the ionosphere and the processes within it. This, in turn, will enhance our understanding and ability to predict `space weather.' Space weather affects our modern daily lives in a number of ways, such as: 1) our dependence on the now large number of Earth satellites used for communication, television, banking, etc. and the direct exposure of these satellites to the potentially damaging space environment; 2) the very recent exponential increase in commercial airline flight paths over the pole and their critical dependence on reliable communications at these high latitudes. As Canada is a high northern latitude country with extensive northern landmass, we are in the ideal situation to study and support fundamental space weather research and predictions for the benefit of all humankind.

我的研究兴趣涉及地球电离层的电离层高纬度E-（海拔约100 km）和F区域（高度为200至1000 km）。 电离层是大气中的一部分，尽管在这些E-和F区域高度已经存在非常低的中性大气浓度中，但在物理上足够的，自由电子和离子（离子化或带电的颗粒）中，有相对较少的部分。 这些带电的颗粒显着影响这些区域的行为，并在我们中性地球环境和外层空间环境之间形成过渡区域或接近地球的空间环境。 电子区域具有低浓度的电离颗粒，可以将其设置为由于流动电流而引起的振荡结构。 这些结构被称为血浆波，可以用雷达来检测到该区域。 相似的等离子体结构发生在F-Region中，其中电离浓度较大，但总体上仍然相对较小。 我的研究使用雷达来探测和表征电子和F区域的等离子体环境。 一种类型的雷达从等离子体波散射无线电波，以提供等离子体波强度和运动等细节。 另一种类型的雷达反映了电离颗粒的无线电波，以提供有关颗粒密度和运动的信息。 使用这些雷达以及测量不同重要电离层参数的其他工具，使研究人员可以更好地了解电离层及其内部过程。 反过来，这将增强我们预测“太空天气”的理解和能力。 太空天气以多种方式影响我们的现代日常生活，例如：1）我们对目前用于通信，电视，银行业务等的大量地球卫星的依赖，以及这些卫星直接暴露于潜在的破坏性太空环境中； 2）在这些高纬度地区，商业航空公司飞行道路的最新指数增加及其对可靠通信的批判性依赖。 由于加拿大是一个北纬度地区，拥有广泛的北部陆地国家，因此我们处于研究和支持基本太空天气研究和预测的理想情况，以使所有人类受益。