Incoherent-Scatter Verification of DMSP Observations.

• Main Author: Thayer, Jeffrey P.
• Other Authors: SRI INTERNATIONAL MENLO PARK CA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1996
• Subjects: Atmospheric Physics; Thermodynamics; *IONOSPHERE; *RADIANT HEATING; GEOMAGNETISM; POLAR REGIONS; MAGNETIC FIELDS; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE; ELECTRON DENSITY; ENERGY TRANSFER; METEOROLOGICAL RADAR; METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITES; INCOHERENT SCATTERING; HIGH LATITUDES; MILITARY SATELLITES; DMSP(DEFENSE METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE PROGRAM); JOULE HEATING; PE35160F; WUPL1924GBMC; Greenland
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA326837; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA326837

The transfer of electromagnetic energy to heat, that is, Joule heating, in the ionospheric gas is often the most dominant energy source for the winter polar regions. The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) has demonstrated that the Joule heating rate in the high-latitude ionosphere can be estimated with satellite measurements of the perturbation magnetic field and precipitating particle population. These estimates of the Joule heating rate are subject to a number of assumptions and empirical formalisms that require validation. The NSF incoherent-scatter radar located at Sondrestrom, Greenland, can measure the plasma parameters of interest and is at a latitude well suited for coincident measurements with DMSP. In this report, we summarize the effort made over the 2-year project and provide details of the observational and analysis program. This effort involved a dedicated 9-month observational program, improving radar estimates of Joule heating and conductance for comparison with DMSP, testing assumptions used in the DMSP derivation of the Joule heating rate, comparing DMSP and radar conductance estimates, and establishing a capability for rapid validation of the Joule heating rate for future conjunctions with DMSP satellites.