Low- and Mid-Latitude Ionospheric Research

Clemson University, Clemson SC

Investigators

Abstract

ATM-0080338 Hysell, David This is a proposal to conduct a wide-ranging program of research on the mid - and low-latitude ionosphere. The research involves observations to be made with a small coherent scatter radar at Clemson University and with the Jicamarca incoherent scatter radar (ISR) and the JULIA radar near Lima, Peru. Topics to be investigated include midlatitude sporadic E ionization layers, lower thermospheric winds in the equatorial E region, and the response of the low latitude ionosphere and plasmasphere to substorms. These topics have overtones for the National Space Weather initiative as well as for the CEDAR/TIMED project and several other CEDAR initiatives (Topside, POLITE). The proposal has experimental and theoretical elements and should result in the development of new radar hardware, new numerical codes, and an improved and enhanced radar database.