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A survey of plasma irregularities as seen by the midlatitude Blackstone SuperDARN radar
journal contribution
posted on 2014-04-08, 10:53 authored by A. J. Ribeiro, J. M. Ruohoniemi, J. B. H. Baker, L. B. N. Clausen, R. A. Greenwald, Mark LesterThe Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) is a chain of HF radars that
monitor plasma dynamics in the ionosphere. In recent years, SuperDARN has expanded
to midlatitudes in order to provide enhanced coverage during geomagnetically active
periods. A new type of backscatter from F region plasma irregularities with low Doppler
velocity has been frequently observed on the nightside during quiescent conditions. Using
three years of data from the Blackstone, VA radar, we have implemented a method for
extracting this new type of backscatter from routine observations. We have statistically
characterized the occurrence properties of the Sub Auroral Ionospheric Scatter (SAIS)
events, including the latitudinal relationships to the equatorward edge of the auroral oval
and the ionospheric projection of the plasmapause. We find that the backscatter is confined
to local night, occurs on ≈70% of nights, is fixed in geomagnetic latitude, and is
equatorward of both the auroral region and the plasmapause boundary. We conclude that
SAIS irregularities are observed within a range of latitudes that is conjugate to the inner
magnetosphere (plasmasphere).
History
Citation
Journal of Geophysical Research, 2012, 117, A02311Author affiliation
/Organisation/COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING/Department of Physics and AstronomyVersion
- VoR (Version of Record)