Wind-Shear-Driven Energetics and Coupled Electrodynamics in the Midlatitude Ionosphere

Sri International, Menlo Park CA

Investigators

Abstract

A cluster of radio-wave instrumentation, including two (bi-static) coherent radars and an ionosonde, and a magnetometer are added to the cluster of optical instruments at Mt. Haleakala, HI to untangle the generation mechanisms of the mid-latitude Sporadic E-region irregularity (Es). By the use of bi-static coherent radar sampling in a common volume with the lidar and optical imagers, the nature of the Es Hall polarization process leading to large electric fields and sporadic E layer instability conditions is explored. The physics of electrodynamic coupling along magnetic field lines between unstable sporadic E layers and the F layer is investigated, and the role of wind and wind shear dynamics in the interaction process of the neutral atmosphere with sporadic E layer plasma is experimentally quantified.