Research > Faculty Projects
Passive Coherent Radar Studies of the Auroral E Region
Principal Investigator
John Sahr
Sponsor(s)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Award Period
08/01/2003 - 07/31/2008
Abstract
We propose to install passive VHF radar receivers in
Canada in order to study field aligned irregularities in
the E region at auroral latitudes. The proposed research
addresses four goals: (1) to create a dedicated radar
instrument which continuously provides high quality data
from 1.5 meter irregularities in the auroral zone, (2) to
use this instrument to study the temporal and spatial
evolution of auroral electrojet irregularies, (3) to
improve the capabilities of the passive VHF radar
technique, and (4) to provide a rich educational and
research experience for undergraduate and graduate
students. Our planned site will provide nearly common
volume view of our 100 MHz instrument with Canadian radars
at 50 and 44 MHz , as well as additional magnetometers and
optical instruments. In addition to studying electrojet
irregularies, we will be able to observe the development
of subauroral polarization jet which has been identified
by scientists using the incoherent scatter radar at
Millstone Hill. We will routinely observe meteor trails,
and we may also be able to detect polar mesospheric summer
echoes at 51 degrees geographic latitude.
Updates or corrections to this page should be sent to gheaton@u.washington.edu.
