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: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=737631
• 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.

这项研究旨在加深对太阳“大气”与地球高层大气（100 公里以上）相互作用的理解。具体来说，我的研究兴趣涉及解释陆地高层大气电离层部分发生的自然现象。这种电离介质的成分和动力学主要由电场和磁场决定，因此表现出与我们熟悉的地球表面中性大气显着不同的行为。从100公里高度开始，只有火箭或卫星才能直接观测电离层；然而，远程探测该区域的一种方法是使用无线电和雷达技术。作为实验者，我和我的学生使用这些地面和卫星无线电技术和仪器来测量电离层的成分和动态。我们刚刚开发并部署了一种极其先进的全数字地面甚高频 (VHF) 雷达，称为 ICEBEAR，用于研究电离层的下部或 E 区域。我们还与一个由雷达物理学家组成的国际团队合作，他们使用称为 SuperDARN 的高频 (HF) 雷达网络来研究电离层的上部（F 区）。这些雷达提供有关电离层运动和流动的详细信息，而新的 ICEBEAR 雷达使用先进的雷达技术，比过去做得更好。我们还使用加拿大空间科学卫星 (ePOP/RRI) 研究无线电波如何在电离层中传播，从而对其结构提供新的见解。最近，我们开始使用 RRI 来观察近地空间环境中自然发生的无线电发射，例如哨声波。我们将与我的学生密切合作，培养先进的数据分析技能和独立研究能力，我们将利用这些无线电仪器的能力来促进对电离层动力学和结构的更清晰的了解。使用 ICEBEAR 雷达进行的研究将为 E 区电离层中来自上方磁层的闭合电流之间的耦合以及散射物理学本身提供新的见解和理解。了解电离层中的电子密度对于理解电离层的物理现象至关重要，但很少有可用的测量结果。我们将改进我们开发的一项技术，该技术使用 SuperDARN 观测来计算非常大的 SuperDARN 视场上的电子密度测量值。因此，为这个非常理想的参数提供了一个新的、急需的来源。出于类似的目标，RRI 仪器的极化能力将用于生成电子密度分布并表征电离层中的结构。所有这些研究的直接成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工业中工作。