Phase calibration of the EISCAT Svalbard Radar interferometer using optical satellite signatures

International audience The link between natural ion-line enhancements in radar spectra and auroral activity has been the subject of recent studies but conclusions have been limited by the spatial and temporal resolution previously available. The next challenge is to use shorter sub-second integratio...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sullivan, J. M., Ivchenko, N., Lockwood, M., Grydeland, T., Blixt, E. M., Lanchester, B. S.
Other Authors: School of Physics and Astronomy Southampton, University of Southampton, Alfven Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm (KTH ), STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Dept. of Physics and Technology
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: HAL CCSD 2006
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Online Access:https://hal.science/hal-00318170
https://hal.science/hal-00318170/document
https://hal.science/hal-00318170/file/angeo-24-2419-2006.pdf
Description
Summary:International audience The link between natural ion-line enhancements in radar spectra and auroral activity has been the subject of recent studies but conclusions have been limited by the spatial and temporal resolution previously available. The next challenge is to use shorter sub-second integration times in combination with interferometric programmes to resolve spatial structure within the main radar beam, and so relate enhanced filaments to individual auroral rays. This paper presents initial studies of a technique, using optical and spectral satellite signatures, to calibrate the received phase of a signal with the position of the scattering source along the interferometric baseline of the EISCAT Svalbard Radar. It is shown that a consistent relationship can be found only if the satellite passage through the phase fringes is adjusted from the passage predicted by optical tracking. This required adjustment is interpreted as being due to the vector between the theoretical focusing points of the two antennae, i.e. the true radar baseline, differing from the baseline obtained by survey between the antenna foot points. A method to obtain a measurement of the true interferometric baseline using multiple satellite passes is outlined.