Developments in the use of EISCAT for interplanetary scintillation

• Published in: Annales Geophysicae
• Main Authors: R. A. Fallows, A. R. Breen, G. D. Dorrian
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2008
• Subjects: Science; Q; Physics; QC1-999; Geophysics. Cosmic physics; QC801-809; Svalbard; Tromsø; EISCAT
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-26-2229-2008; https://doaj.org/article/5a5bb034ee47492aa07c024c1ad87a0d

The antennas of EISCAT have been used for interplanetary scintillation (IPS) studies of the solar wind for many years. The main science found from these studies is obtained through the cross-correlation of signals from antennas having the longest baseline, providing more accurate information on the different solar wind streams which may be present in the line of sight. The development of dual-frequency IPS observations between the 1.4 GHz receivers at the remote sites and Tromsø, has allowed the use of the EISCAT Svalbard Radar for IPS, increasing the available baselines to the extent that three solar wind streams can sometimes be identified in the cross-correlation functions. A weak-scattering model incorporating three possible solar wind streams and dual observing frequencies is discussed and some results presented. A recent study found that the current sampling bandwidth limits the sensitivity of IPS observations at EISCAT. Methods of increasing the sensitivity, and the results of trials, are discussed.