scholarly journals CUTLASS HF radar observations of high-velocity E-region echoes

2001 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Uspensky ◽  
A. V. Koustov ◽  
P. Eglitis ◽  
A. Huuskonen ◽  
S. E. Milan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
High Velocity ◽  
Power Doppler ◽  
Spectral Width ◽  
Plasma Instability ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Doppler Velocity ◽  
Classical Type ◽  
E Region

Abstract. A short event of high-velocity E-region echo observations by the Pykkvibaer HF radar is analysed to study echo parameters and the echo relation to the Farley-Buneman plasma instability. The echoes were detected in several beams aligned closely to the magnetic L-shell direction. Two echo groups were identified: one group corresponded to the classical type 1 echoes with velocities close to the nominal ion-acoustic speed of 400 ms–1 , while the other group had significantly larger velocities, of the order of 700 ms–1 . The mutual relationship between the echo power, Doppler velocity, spectral width and elevation angles for these two groups was studied. Plotting of echo parameters versus slant range showed that all ~700 ms–1 echoes originated from larger heights and distances of 500–700 km, while all ~400 ms–1 echoes came from lower heights and from farther distances; 700–1000 km. We argue that both observed groups of echoes occurred due to the Farley-Buneman plasma instability excited by strong ( ~70 mVm–1 ) and uniformly distributed electric fields. We show that the echo velocities for the two groups were different because the echoes were received from different heights. Such a separation of echo heights occurred due to the differing amounts of ionospheric refraction at short and large ranges. Thus, the ionospheric refraction and related altitude modulation of ionospheric parameters are the most important factors to consider, when various characteristics of E-region decametre irregularities are derived from HF radar measurements.Key words. Ionosphere (ionospheric irregularities; plasma waves and instabilities; polar ionosphere)

scholarly journals Dynamical critical scaling of electric field fluctuations in the greater cusp and magnetotail implied by HF radar observations of F-region Doppler velocity

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 689-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Parkinson
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Spectral Width ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Doppler Velocity ◽  
Closed Field ◽  
Scaling Exponent ◽  
Central Plasma ◽  
Field Lines

Abstract. Akasofu's solar wind ε parameter describes the coupling of solar wind energy to the magnetosphere and ionosphere. Analysis of fluctuations in ε using model independent scaling techniques including the peaks of probability density functions (PDFs) and generalised structure function (GSF) analysis show the fluctuations were self-affine (mono-fractal, single exponent scaling) over 9 octaves of time scale from ~46 s to ~9.1 h. However, the peak scaling exponent α0 was a function of the fluctuation bin size, so caution is required when comparing the exponents for different data sets sampled in different ways. The same generic scaling techniques revealed the organisation and functional form of concurrent fluctuations in azimuthal magnetospheric electric fields implied by SuperDARN HF radar measurements of line-of-sight Doppler velocity, vLOS, made in the high-latitude austral ionosphere. The PDFs of vLOS fluctuation were calculated for time scales between 1 min and 256 min, and were sorted into noon sector results obtained with the Halley radar, and midnight sector results obtained with the TIGER radar. The PDFs were further sorted according to the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field, as well as ionospheric regions of high and low Doppler spectral width. High spectral widths tend to occur at higher latitude, mostly on open field lines but also on closed field lines just equatorward of the open-closed boundary, whereas low spectral widths are concentrated on closed field lines deeper inside the magnetosphere. The vLOS fluctuations were most self-affine (i.e. like the solar wind ε parameter) on the high spectral width field lines in the noon sector ionosphere (i.e. the greater cusp), but suggested multi-fractal behaviour on closed field lines in the midnight sector (i.e. the central plasma sheet). Long tails in the PDFs imply that "microbursts" in ionospheric convection occur far more frequently, especially on open field lines, than can be captured using the effective Nyquist frequency and volume resolution of SuperDARN radars.

scholarly journals An Improved Meteor Echo Recognition Algorithm for SuperDARN HF Radar

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. 1971
Author(s):  
Guangming Li ◽  
Jingye Yan ◽  
Ailan Lan
Keyword(s):  
Power Distribution ◽  
Power Doppler ◽  
Spectral Width ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Integration Time ◽  
Doppler Velocity ◽  
Neutral Wind ◽  
Extraction Algorithm ◽  
Radar Meteor ◽  
Improved Algorithm

The SuperDARN HF radars can be used for meteor observation and inversion of mid-upper atmosphere neutral wind using observed meteor echo Doppler velocities. Aiming at the problem that the extraction of meteor echo based on echo power, Doppler velocity and spectral width is rough and contains ionospheric echo, this paper optimizes the extraction algorithm of meteor echo. Based on the AgileDARN HF radar’s digital characteristics, the observation method of meteor echo was improved, and we designed a meteor observation mode without changing the hardware system: using a meteor observation with a 7.5 km range resolution and a 2 s integration time, we extracted the Doppler characteristics of different echo types at meteor echo ranges; according to these features, the extraction algorithm of meteor echo was optimized. By analyzing the measured data, the characteristics of diurnal variation, power distribution, Doppler velocity distribution and spectral width distribution of meteor echo extracted by the optimization algorithm were obtained. The meteor echo characteristics obtained by the improved algorithm are more consistent with the theoretical analysis; thus, the improved algorithm is better than the SuperDARN high frequency radar meteor echo extraction algorithm and has good performance. The meteor echo extraction algorithm presented in this paper can extract the meteor echo more accurately, so that the atmospheric neutral wind can be retrieved more accurately. At the same time, the proposed algorithm is not only applicable to AgileDARN HF radar meteor observation mode data, but also to AgileDARN and SuperDARN normal mode data, which is beneficial to expand the data application of SuperDARN radars.

scholarly journals Effects of solar eclipse on the electrodynamical processes of the equatorial ionosphere: a case study during 11 August 1999 dusk time total solar eclipse over India

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1977-1985 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sridharan ◽  
C. V. Devasia ◽  
N. Jyoti ◽  
Diwakar Tiwari ◽  
K. S. Viswanathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
Solar Eclipse ◽  
Equatorial Ionosphere ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
F Region ◽  
Large Enhancement ◽  
Temporal Structures ◽  
E Region ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents

Abstract. The effects on the electrodynamics of the equatorial E- and F-regions of the ionosphere, due to the occurrence of the solar eclipse during sunset hours on 11 August 1999, were investigated in a unique observational campaign involving ground based ionosondes, VHF and HF radars from the equatorial location of Trivandrum (8.5° N; 77° E; dip lat. 0.5° N), India. The study revealed the nature of changes brought about by the eclipse in the evening time E- and F-regions in terms of (i) the sudden intensification of a weak blanketing ES-layer and the associated large enhancement of the VHF backscattered returns, (ii) significant increase in h' F immediately following the eclipse and (iii) distinctly different spatial and temporal structures in the spread-F irregularity drift velocities as observed by the HF radar. The significantly large enhancement of the backscattered returns from the E-region coincident with the onset of the eclipse is attributed to the generation of steep electron density gradients associated with the blanketing ES , possibly triggered by the eclipse phenomena. The increase in F-region base height immediately after the eclipse is explained as due to the reduction in the conductivity of the conjugate E-region in the path of totality connected to the F-region over the equator along the magnetic field lines, and this, with the peculiar local and regional conditions, seems to have reduced the E-region loading of the F-region dynamo, resulting in a larger post sunset F-region height (h' F) rise. These aspects of E-and F-region behaviour on the eclipse day are discussed in relation to those observed on the control day.Key words. Ionosphere (electric fields and currents; equatorial ionosphere; ionospheric irregularities)

scholarly journals Simultaneous HF measurements of E- and F-region Doppler velocities at large flow angles

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1177-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Makarevitch ◽  
F. Honary ◽  
A. V. Koustov
Keyword(s):  
Hf Radar ◽  
Doppler Velocity ◽  
Plasma Convection ◽  
Aspect Angle ◽  
F Region ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
E Region ◽  
The Difference ◽  
New Feature ◽  
Large Flow

Abstract. Data collected by the CUTLASS Finland HF radar are used to illustrate the significant difference between the cosine component of the plasma convection in the F-region and the Doppler velocity of the E-region coherent echoes observed at large flow angles. We show that the E-region velocity is ~5 times smaller in magnitude and rotated by ~30° clockwise with respect to convection in the F-region. Also, measurements at flow angles larger than 90° exhibit a completely new feature: Doppler velocity increase with the expected aspect angle and spatial anticorrelation with the backscatter power. By considering DMSP drift-meter measurements we argue that the difference between F- and E-region velocities cannot be interpreted in terms of the convection change with latitude. The observed features in the velocity of the E-region echoes can be explained by taking into account the ion drift contribution to the irregularity phase velocity as predicted by the linear fluid theory. Key words. Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; ionospheric irregularities; plasma convection)

scholarly journals Simultaneous optical, CUTLASS HF radar, and FAST spacecraft observations: signatures of boundary layer processes in the cusp

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 511-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Oksavik ◽  
F. Søraas ◽  
J. Moen ◽  
R. Pfaff ◽  
J. A. Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Spectral Width ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Optical Data ◽  
Low Energy Electrons ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Auroral Phenomena ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents

Abstract. In this paper we discuss counterstreaming electrons, electric field turbulence, HF radar spectral width enhancements, and field-aligned currents in the southward IMF cusp region. Electric field and particle observations from the FAST spacecraft are compared with CUTLASS Finland spectral width enhancements and ground-based optical data from Svalbard during a meridional crossing of the cusp. The observed 630nm rayed arc (Type-1 cusp aurora) is associated with stepped cusp ion signatures. Simultaneous counterstreaming low-energy electrons on open magnetic field lines lead us to propose that such electrons may be an important source for rayed red arcs through pitch angle scattering in collisions with the upper atmosphere. The observed particle precipitation and electric field turbulence are found to be nearly collocated with the equatorward edge of the optical cusp, in a region where CUTLASS Finland also observed enhanced spectral width. The electric field turbulence is observed to extend far poleward of the optical cusp. The broad-band electric field turbulence corresponds to spatial scale lengths down to 5m. Therefore, we suggest that electric field irregularities are directly responsible for the formation of HF radar backscatter targets and may also explain the observed wide spectra. FAST also encountered two narrow highly structured field-aligned current pairs flowing near the edges of cusp ion steps. Key words. Ionosphere (electric fields and currents). Magnetosphere physics (magnetopause, cusp, and boundary layers; auroral phenomena)

scholarly journals Meridional motions of the afternoon radar aurora, auroral electrojets, and absorption patches under variable IMF conditions

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 1649-1664
Author(s):  
R. A. Makarevitch ◽  
F. Honary ◽  
A. V. Koustov ◽  
M. V. Uspensky
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
Temporal Correlation ◽  
Doppler Velocity ◽  
Plasma Convection ◽  
Motion Patterns ◽  
Aspect Angle ◽  
Radar Echoes ◽  
Meridional Motion ◽  
E Region ◽  
The Imf

Abstract. The meridional motions of the CUTLASS HF and STARE VHF coherent echoes, IMAGE equivalent electrojet currents, and IRIS absorption patches during the postnoon/early-evening event of 14 February 2000 are presented. The motions were found to be synchronous, to a first approximation, for all instruments. The temporal correlation between motions in the radar and magnetometer data was exceptionally good, although spatially the areas with the E-region backscatter and most intense equivalent currents were not coincident, with the HF (VHF) echoes being shifted 100–200km (20–50km) equatorward (poleward). The meridional motions of the radar echoes and electrojet currents appeared to be controlled by the IMF Bz changes; the meridional propagation direction was equatorward (poleward) during the intervals when the IMF was southward (northward), with one exception when the poleward progression continued after the IMF southward turning. We relate the observed meridional motion patterns to the polar cap expansion/contraction during variable IMF conditions and discuss the relative importance of two types of processes: the dayside reconnection and IMF-triggered substorms. We also investigate the irregularity Doppler velocity for the STARE (144MHz) and CUTLASS (12MHz) observations at large flow angles in the context of the eastward and westward electrojet systems. We show that the 144-MHz Doppler velocity is determined by a combination of two factors: the sense of electrojet currents and the aspect angle conditions within the STARE field of view. Finally, the behavior of small dayside enhancements of the IRIS absorption (up to 0.5dB at 38.2MHz) accompanying the radar echoes and electrojet currents is examined. Since the velocity of the meridional displacements was close to that of the poleward/equatorward progressing intense currents, it is suggested that the absorption patches observed during the event were related to the heating of the E-region plasma by the unstable plasma waves in the regions of enhanced electric fields. Key words. Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; electric fields and currents; plasma convection)

scholarly journals The spectral characteristics of E-region radar echoes co-located with and adjacent to visual auroral arcs

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 795-805 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Milan ◽  
N. Sato ◽  
M. Lester ◽  
T. K. Yeoman ◽  
Y. Murata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Radar Backscatter ◽  
Acoustic Instability ◽  
Radar Echoes ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
E Region ◽  
Auroral Arcs ◽  
Gradient Drift

Abstract. Simultaneous all-sky camera and HF radar observations of the visual and E-region radar aurora in the west-ward electrojet suggest a close relationship between a pair of parallel east-west-aligned auroral arcs, separated by ~ 30 km, and a region of strong radar backscatter. Poleward of this a broader region of radar backscatter is observed, though the spectral characteristics of the echoes in these two regions differ considerably. We suggest that the visual aurorae and their radar counterparts are produced in a region of upward field-aligned current (FAC), whereas the backscatter poleward of this is associated with downward FAC. Relatively low electric fields ( ~ 10 mV m-1) are observed in the vicinity of the arc system, suggesting that in this case, two-stream waves are not directly generated through the electrodynamics of the arc. Rather, the generation of irregularities is most probably associated with the gradient drift instability operating within horizontal electron density gradients produced by the filamentary nature of the arc FAC system. The observation of high Doppler shift echoes superimposed on slow background flow within the region of backscatter poleward of the visual aurora is argued to be consistent with previous suggestions that the ion-acoustic instability threshold is reduced in the presence of upwelling thermal electrons carrying downward FAC.Key words. Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; ionospheric irregularities; particle precipitation)

scholarly journals E-region decameter-scale plasma waves observed by the dual TIGER HF radars

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 261-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Carter ◽  
R. A. Makarevich
Keyword(s):  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Wide Band ◽  
Spectral Width ◽  
Doppler Velocity ◽  
Geometric Aspect ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Aspect Angle ◽  
F Region ◽  
Evening Sector ◽  
E Region

Abstract. The dual Tasman International Geospace Environment Radar (TIGER) HF radars regularly observe E-region echoes at sub-auroral magnetic latitudes 58°–60° S including during geomagnetic storms. We present a statistical analysis of E-region backscatter observed in a period of ~2 years (late 2004–2006) by the TIGER Bruny Island and Unwin HF radars, with particular emphasis on storm-time backscatter. It is found that the HF echoes normally form a 300-km-wide band at ranges 225–540 km. In the evening sector during geomagnetic storms, however, the HF echoes form a curved band joining to the F-region band at ~700 km. The curved band lies close to the locations where the geometric aspect angle is zero, implying little to no refraction during geomagnetic storms, which is an opposite result to what has been reported in the past. The echo occurrence, Doppler velocity, and spectral width of the HF echoes are examined in order to determine whether new HF echo types are observed at sub-auroral latitudes, particularly during geomagnetic storms. The datasets of both TIGER radars are found to be dominated by low-velocity echoes. A separate population of storm-time echoes is also identified within the datasets of both radars with most of these echoes showing similar characteristics to the low-velocity echo population. The storm-time backscatter observed by the Bruny Island radar, on the other hand, includes near-range echoes (r<405 km) that exhibit some characteristics of what has been previously termed the High Aspect angle Irregularity Region (HAIR) echoes. We show that these echoes appear to be a storm-time phenomenon and further investigate this population by comparing their Doppler velocity with the simultaneously measured F- and E-region irregularity velocities. It is suggested that the HAIR-like echoes are observed only by HF radars with relatively poor geometric aspect angles when electron density is low and when the electric field is particularly high.

scholarly journals Dual HF radar study of the subauroral polarization stream

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 2579-2591 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Makarevich ◽  
P. L. Dyson
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
High Velocity ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Substorm Onset ◽  
Flow Channel ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Plasma Convection ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Polarization Electric Field

Abstract. The dual HF radars comprising the Tasman International Geophysical Environment Radar (TIGER) system often observe localized high-velocity F-region plasma flows (≥1500 m/s) in the midnight sector (20:00–02:00 MLT) at magnetic latitudes as low as Λ=60° S. The flow channels exhibit large variability in the latitudinal extent and electric field strength, and are similar to the subauroral polarization stream or SAPS, a plasma convection feature thought to be related to the polarization electric field due to the charge separation during substorm and storm development. In this study, the 2-D plasma drift velocity within the channel is derived for each of the two TIGER radars from the maximum velocities measured in all 16 radar beams within the latitudinally narrow channel, and the time variation of the subauroral electric field is examined near substorm onset. It is demonstrated that the flow channel often does not have a clear onset, rather it manifests differently in different phases of its evolution and can persist for at least two substorm cycles. During the growth phase the electric fields within the flow channel are difficult to distinguish from those of the background auroral convection but they start to increase near substorm onset and peak during the recovery phase, in contrast to what has been reported previously for auroral convection which peaks just before the substorm onset and falls sharply at the substorm onset. The response times to substorm onset range from −5 to +40 min and show some dependence on the substorm location with longer delays observed for substorms eastward of the radars' viewing area. The propagation velocity of the high-velocity region is also investigated by comparing the observations from the two closely-spaced TIGER radars. The observations are consistent with the notion that the polarization electric field is established with the energetic ions drifting westward and equatorward from the initial substorm injection. The ion injection front can precede that of the electrons and hence substorm onset resulting in a negative response time of a few minutes.

scholarly journals E-region echo characteristics governed by auroral arc electrodynamics

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1567-1575 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Milan ◽  
N. Sato ◽  
M. Lester ◽  
Y. Murata ◽  
Y. Shinkai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Doppler Shift ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Radar Echoes ◽  
Ion Acoustic ◽  
E Region ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents ◽  
Auroral Arcs ◽  
Acoustic Speed

Abstract. Observations of a pair of auroral arc features by two imagers, one ground- and one space-based, allows the associated field-aligned current (FAC) and electric field structure to be inferred. Simultaneous observations of HF radar echoes provide an insight into the irregularity-generating mechanisms. This is especially interesting for the E-region echoes observed, which form the focus of our analysis, and from which several conclusions can be drawn, summarized as follows. Latitudinal variations in echo characteristics are governed by the FAC and electric field background. Particularly sharp boundaries are found at the edges of auroral arcs. Within regions of auroral luminosity, echoes have Doppler shifts below the ion-acoustic speed and are proportional to the electric field, suggesting scatter from gradient drift waves. Regions of downward FAC are associated with mixed high and low Doppler shift echoes. The high Doppler shift component is greatly in excess of the ion-acoustic speed, but seems to be commensurate with the driving electric field. The low Doppler shift component appears to be much depressed below expectations.Key words. Ionosphere (ionospheric irregularities; electric fields and currents)

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