Ionospheric irregularities and their coupling with the magnetosphere and radio wave propagation in and emissions from the ionosphere

电离层不规则性及其与磁层的耦合以及电离层中的无线电波传播和发射

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-04435
• 负责人: Hussey, Glenn
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 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: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=713811
• 关键词: Ionospheric; irregularities; their; coupling; magnetosphere

This research is to advance understanding of the interaction of the 'atmosphere' of the Sun with the upper atmosphere (above 100 km) of the Earth. Specifically my research interest involves explaining the natural phenomena occurring in the ionosphere portion of the terrestrial upper atmosphere. The composition and dynamics of this ionized medium is dominated by electric and magnetic fields and therefore exhibits significantly different behaviour than the neutral atmosphere we are familiar with on the Earth's surface. Beginning at 100 km altitude, only rockets or satellites can directly observe the ionosphere; however, one method to remotely probe this region is by using radio and radar techniques. As experimentalists, my students and I use these radio techniques and instruments, both ground and satellite based, to measure the composition and dynamics of the ionosphere. We have just developed and deployed a new extremely highly advanced completely digital ground based very high frequency (VHF) radar, known as ICEBEAR, for studying the lower portion, or E-region, of the ionosphere. We also work with an international team of radar physicists who study the upper portion of the ionosphere, the F-region, with a network of high frequency (HF) radars known as SuperDARN. These radars give details about motions and flows in the ionosphere, and the new ICEBEAR radar uses advanced radar techniques to do a much better job of this than in the past. We also use a Canadian space science satellite (ePOP/RRI) to study how radio waves propagate through the ionosphere, giving new insight about its structure. Recently, we started using RRI to observe the naturally occurring radio emissions, such as whistler waves, generated in the near-Earth space environment. Working closely with my students, who will develop advanced data analysis skills and independent research abilities, we will exploit the abilities of these radio instruments to foster a clearer understanding of the dynamics and structure in the ionosphere. Research using the ICEBEAR radar will give new insight and understanding of the coupling between closure currents in the E-region ionosphere, which are sourced from the magnetosphere above, and about the scattering physics itself. Knowing the electron density in the ionosphere is critical for understanding the physics there, but rarely are measurements available. We will refine a technique we have developed which uses SuperDARN observations to calculate electron density measurements over the very large SuperDARN field of view. Thus, giving a new and much needed source of this highly desirable parameter. With similar objectives, the polarisation abilities of the RRI instrument will be used to generate electron density profiles and characterise structures in the ionosphere. The direct outcome of all this research will be student theses and journal papers, and well trained physicists and engineers to work in academia or the Canadian space industry.

这项研究是为了促进对太阳与地球上层大气（以上100公里）的“大气”相互作用的理解。具体来说，我的研究兴趣涉及解释陆地上层大气层的电离层部分发生的自然现象。这种离子介质的组成和动力学以电场和磁场为主，因此与我们在地球表面上熟悉的中性气氛相比表现出明显不同的行为。 从高度100公里开始，只有火箭或卫星才能直接观察电离层。但是，一种远程探测该区域的方法是使用无线电和雷达技术。作为实验者，我和我的学生使用基于地面和卫星的这些无线电技术和仪器来测量电离层的组成和动力学。 我们刚刚开发并部署了一个新的高度先进的完全数字地面的非常高频率（VHF）雷达，称为Icebear，用于研究电离层的下部或电子区域。我们还与一支国际雷达物理学家团队合作，他们研究了电离层的上部，即F-Region，并具有高频（HF）雷达网络，称为SuperDarn。这些雷达提供了有关电离层中动作和流动的详细信息，而新的冰川雷达使用先进的雷达技术来做到比过去更好的工作。我们还使用加拿大太空科学卫星（EPOP/RRI）来研究无线电波如何通过电离层传播，从而对其结构进行了新的见解。最近，我们开始使用RRI观察在近地太空环境中产生的天然无线电排放，例如惠斯勒波。 与我的学生紧密合作，他们将发展高级数据分析技能和独立的研究能力，我们将利用这些无线电工具的能力来促进对电离层中动态和结构的更清晰的了解。 使用冰川雷达的研究将为电子区域电离层中闭合电流之间的耦合提供新的见解，并从上面的磁层以及散射物理学本身中采用。了解电离层中的电子密度对于理解那里的物理学至关重要，但很少是可用的测量值。 我们将完善我们开发的一种技术，该技术使用超大型观测来计算非常大的Superdarn视野上的电子密度测量值。因此，给出了这个高度理想的参数的新且急需的来源。具有类似的目标，RRI仪器的极化能力将用于产生电子密度曲线并表征电离层中的结构。 所有这项研究的直接结果将是学生论文和期刊论文，以及训练有素的物理学家和工程师在学术界或加拿大航天行业工作。