First observations of SPEAR-induced artificial backscatter from CUTLASS and the EISCAT Svalbard radars
Results are presented from the first two active experimental campaigns undertaken by the new SPEAR (Space Plasma Exploration by Active Radar) high-power system that has recently become operational on Spitzbergen, in the Svalbard archipelago. SPEAR's high-power beam was used to excite artifi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2006-03-01
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| Series: | Annales Geophysicae |
| Online Access: | https://www.ann-geophys.net/24/291/2006/angeo-24-291-2006.pdf |
| _version_ | 1828324833494040576 |
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| author | T. R. Robinson T. K. Yeoman R. S. Dhillon M. Lester E. C. Thomas J. D. Thornhill D. M. Wright A. P. van Eyken I. W. McCrea |
| author_facet | T. R. Robinson T. K. Yeoman R. S. Dhillon M. Lester E. C. Thomas J. D. Thornhill D. M. Wright A. P. van Eyken I. W. McCrea |
| author_sort | T. R. Robinson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Results are presented from the first two active experimental campaigns
undertaken by the new SPEAR (Space Plasma Exploration by Active Radar)
high-power system that has recently become operational on Spitzbergen, in
the Svalbard archipelago. SPEAR's high-power beam was used to excite
artificial enhancements in the backscatter detected by the ESR (EISCAT
Svalbard Radar) parallel to the geomagnetic field, as well as coherent
backscatter detected by both of the CUTLASS (Co-operative UK Twin Located
Auroral Sounding System) coherent radars, in directions orthogonal to the
geomagnetic field. The ESR detected both enhanced ion-lines as well as
enhanced plasma-lines, that were sustained for the whole period when SPEAR
was transmitting ordinary mode radio waves, at frequencies below the maximum
F-region plasma frequency. On a number of occasions, coherent backscatter
was also observed in one or in both of the CUTLASS radars, in beams that
intersected the heated volume. Although the levels of enhanced backscatter
varied considerably in time, it appeared that ion-line, plasma-line and
coherent backscatter were all excited simultaneously, in contrast to what
has typically been reported at Tromsø, during EISCAT heater operations. A
description of the technical and operational aspects of the new SPEAR system
is also included. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T19:11:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d163b8edf6924fe18a643c26b492db64 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0992-7689 1432-0576 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T19:11:48Z |
| publishDate | 2006-03-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annales Geophysicae |
| spelling | doaj.art-d163b8edf6924fe18a643c26b492db642022-12-22T02:33:48ZengCopernicus PublicationsAnnales Geophysicae0992-76891432-05762006-03-012429130910.5194/angeo-24-291-2006First observations of SPEAR-induced artificial backscatter from CUTLASS and the EISCAT Svalbard radarsT. R. Robinson0T. K. Yeoman1R. S. Dhillon2M. Lester3E. C. Thomas4J. D. Thornhill5D. M. Wright6A. P. van Eyken7I. W. McCrea8Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UKDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UKDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UKDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UKDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UKDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UKDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UKEISCAT Scientific Association, Box 164, 981 23 Kiruna, SwedenDepartment of Space Science and Technology, Rutherford-Appleton Laboratories, Chilton, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, UKResults are presented from the first two active experimental campaigns undertaken by the new SPEAR (Space Plasma Exploration by Active Radar) high-power system that has recently become operational on Spitzbergen, in the Svalbard archipelago. SPEAR's high-power beam was used to excite artificial enhancements in the backscatter detected by the ESR (EISCAT Svalbard Radar) parallel to the geomagnetic field, as well as coherent backscatter detected by both of the CUTLASS (Co-operative UK Twin Located Auroral Sounding System) coherent radars, in directions orthogonal to the geomagnetic field. The ESR detected both enhanced ion-lines as well as enhanced plasma-lines, that were sustained for the whole period when SPEAR was transmitting ordinary mode radio waves, at frequencies below the maximum F-region plasma frequency. On a number of occasions, coherent backscatter was also observed in one or in both of the CUTLASS radars, in beams that intersected the heated volume. Although the levels of enhanced backscatter varied considerably in time, it appeared that ion-line, plasma-line and coherent backscatter were all excited simultaneously, in contrast to what has typically been reported at Tromsø, during EISCAT heater operations. A description of the technical and operational aspects of the new SPEAR system is also included.https://www.ann-geophys.net/24/291/2006/angeo-24-291-2006.pdf |
| spellingShingle | T. R. Robinson T. K. Yeoman R. S. Dhillon M. Lester E. C. Thomas J. D. Thornhill D. M. Wright A. P. van Eyken I. W. McCrea First observations of SPEAR-induced artificial backscatter from CUTLASS and the EISCAT Svalbard radars Annales Geophysicae |
| title | First observations of SPEAR-induced artificial backscatter from CUTLASS and the EISCAT Svalbard radars |
| title_full | First observations of SPEAR-induced artificial backscatter from CUTLASS and the EISCAT Svalbard radars |
| title_fullStr | First observations of SPEAR-induced artificial backscatter from CUTLASS and the EISCAT Svalbard radars |
| title_full_unstemmed | First observations of SPEAR-induced artificial backscatter from CUTLASS and the EISCAT Svalbard radars |
| title_short | First observations of SPEAR-induced artificial backscatter from CUTLASS and the EISCAT Svalbard radars |
| title_sort | first observations of spear induced artificial backscatter from cutlass and the eiscat svalbard radars |
| url | https://www.ann-geophys.net/24/291/2006/angeo-24-291-2006.pdf |
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