NSWP: High Frequency (HF) Doppler Radar for Low Latitude Studies

Investigator(s):

Geoffrey Crowley (PI)

Sponsor:

Southwest Research Institute, TX 78238

Start Date/Expiration Date

2005-09-15 to 2006-08-31 (amended 2005-09-14)

Awarded Amount to Date:

$119,648

Abstract: A Doppler High Frequency (HF) radar is placed at the Jicamarca Peru Incoherent Scatter Radar Facility for the purpose of untangling the processes that lead to the onset of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs), and in turn to scintillations of radio signals traversing the ionosphere, including GPS signals. The spectra and propagation of ionospheric perturbations just below the F-region peak are characterized, and their relationship to EPBs observed at Jicamarca is determined. The variability of vertical ion drift in the enhanced ion density preceding the neutral wind reversal is determined during solar minimum conditions, and the relationship of that variability to equatorial plasma bubble onset is determined. The extent to which neutral winds modulate the occurrence of EPBs, and possibly override otherwise effective triggering mechanisms is also evaluated using data from nearby Fabry-Perot interferometers. The determined relationships between plasma perturbations below the F-region ionospheric peak, variability of the vertical ion drift, the neutral wind, and EPB onset are finally used to in an attempt to predict EPB generation, along with associated radio scintillations.

NSF Org:

ATM - Division of Atmospheric Sciences

Award Number:

0518748

Award Instrument:

Continuing grant

Program Manager:

Robert B. Kerr
ATM Division of Atmospheric Sciences
GEO Directorate for Geosciences

NSF Program(s):

AERONOMY, UPPER ATMOSPHERIC FACILITIES

Field Application(s):

Space

Program Reference Code(s):

INTERDISCIPLINARY PROPOSALS, 4444
NATURAL DISASTERS, 9196

Program Element Code(s):

1521
UPPER ATMOSPHERIC FACILITIES, 4202
, V939