NSWP: Multiple Incoherent Scatter Radar Long-Term Database Study of Upper Atmosphere Climatology and Variability

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, Cambridge MA

Investigators

Abstract

A statistical analysis of the so-called "Madrigal" database extant at the Millstone Hill Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) Facility, including data from seven Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) sites (Arecibo PR, Millstone Hill MA, Sondrestrom Greenland, Svalbard Norway, Tromso Norway, St. Santin France, and Shigaraki Japan) is performed. The goal is the establishment of an empirically grounded, climatological model of the thermosphere, and associated models of thermospheric and ionospheric variability. These models produce both neutral thermospheric and ionospheric parameters (from 200 km to 600 km), including neutral temperature (Tn), exobase temperature (Tc), O density ([O]), meridional neutral winds (Um), electron density (Ne), and the ion and electron temperatures (Ti and Te). Local models corresponding to ISR locations are produced, and regional models for Eastern North America and for Western Europe are developed.