Advancing Coherent and Incoherent Scatter Radar Observations and Understanding of the Equatorial Ionosphere

The ionosphere is a region of the space near-Earth (geospace) environment characterized by free ions and electrons produced, in most part, by solar photoionization. Studies of the ionosphere are motivated by a need to better understand (a) the role of fundamental physical processes responsible for ionospheric variability caused by different drivers, (b) impacts of ionospheric variability on radio signals used by civilian and military applications (e.g., GPS, over-the-horizon radars). Ionospheric variability is an important component of space weather. This project will advance the current understanding of ionospheric variability utilizing existing and new measurements made by a radar system that is deployed at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory. The observatory is located at the magnetic equator where severe ionospheric disturbances originate before extending to low and mid latitudes. Improved understanding of ionospheric variability will enhance the reliability of communication, navigation, and remote sensing systems, support space weather prediction, and contribute to national security and workforce development. The project will advance understanding of ionospheric irregularities observed over a wide range of scale sizes and referred to as equatorial spread F (ESF). More specifically, it will advance understanding of the behavior of late-night and post-midnight ESF irregularities and their response to different geospace conditions. The project will create and utilize two-dimensional Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) radar observations of ESF made by a 14-panel version of the Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar system (AMISR-14) over a wide range of geophysical conditions. The project will also utilize collocated equatorial drift measurements made by a new medium power mode of the Jicamarca Very High Frequency (VHF) incoherent scatter radar. The project will also investigate the derivation of ionospheric parameters (e.g., electron density, electron and ion temperature) from incoherent scatter radar measurements made by AMISR-14. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2529852 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Fabiano da Silveira Rodrigues | Institution: University of Texas at Dallas, RICHARDSON, TX | Award Amount: $540,000 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2529852 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2529852.html