An ionosonde system for multipoint measurements of the Arctic space environment during a historic solar cycle
Abstract
The investigators will acquire an ionosonde to be installed in an existing Alaska northsouthnetwork of ground-based radio and optical instruments. Modern ionosondes are usedworldwide for basic ionosphere research, real-time ionosphere plasma density and velocitymeasurements, time-dependent HF radio propagation and absorption properties, and HF channelmanagement. Users of ionosonde data include space and radio scientists, DoD, emergencymanagement officials, and amateur (Ham) radio operators.Ionosphere absorption is relatively common at high latitudes and has several knowncauses including solar flares, aurora, solar proton events, and other forms of particleprecipitation. However, summer daytime absorption frequently observed at high latitudes is notwell understood; furthermore, previous absorption studies are not necessarily relevant during thisperiod of historically weak solar activity. The ionosonde proposed to be acquired is capable ofoperation down to 0.5 MHz which will be useful for study of absorption events affecting HFcommunications and radar since absorption effects are generally believed to occur at low E- andD-region altitudes and plasma frequencies.The proposed ionosonde is planned to be installed at or near the University of AlaskaFairbanks (UAF) Poker Flat Research Range (PFRR) to complement the coverage provided bythe ionosonde located in Gakona, Alaska and to perform unique bi-static experiments for probingthe ionosphere between the two locations. A follow-up project to install a third ionosonde,tentatively proposed to be at Toolik Field Station will complete a north-south chain ofionosondes throughout the interior of Alaska. Toolik Field Station is one of the northernmostuniversity-managed research sites in North America
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501710372
Entities
People
- Christopher Fallen
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Alaska Fairbanks