Ionospheric electron number densities from CUTLASS dual-frequency velocity measurements using artificial backscatter over EISCAT

Sarno-Smith, Lois K. and Kosch, Michael Jurgen and Yeoman, Timothy and Rietveld, Michael (2016) Ionospheric electron number densities from CUTLASS dual-frequency velocity measurements using artificial backscatter over EISCAT. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 121 (8). pp. 8066-8076. ISSN 2169-9402

[thumbnail of SarnoSmith_JGR_2016_D6(revised)]
Preview
PDF (SarnoSmith_JGR_2016_D6(revised))
SarnoSmith_JGR_2016_D6_revised_.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial.

Download (3MB)
[thumbnail of Sarno-Smith_et_al-2016-Journal_of_Geophysical_Research-_Space_Physics]
Preview
PDF (Sarno-Smith_et_al-2016-Journal_of_Geophysical_Research-_Space_Physics)
Sarno_Smith_et_al_2016_Journal_of_Geophysical_Research_Space_Physics.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (1MB)

Abstract

Using quasi-simultaneous line-of-sight velocity measurements at multiple frequencies from the Hankasalmi Cooperative UK Twin Auroral Sounding System (CUTLASS) on the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN), we calculate electron number densities using a derivation outlined in Gillies et al. (2010, 2012). Backscatter targets were generated using the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) ionospheric modification facility at Tromsø, Norway. We use two methods on two case studies. The first approach is to use the dual-frequency capability on CUTLASS and compare line-of-sight velocities between frequencies with a MHz or greater difference. The other method used the kHz frequency shifts automatically made by the SuperDARN radar during routine operations. Using ray tracing to obtain the approximate altitude of the backscatter, we demonstrate that for both methods, SuperDARN significantly overestimates Ne compared to those obtained from the EISCAT incoherent scatter radar over the same time period. The discrepancy between the Ne measurements of both radars may be largely due to SuperDARN sensitivity to backscatter produced by localized density irregularities which obscure the background levels.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Additional Information:
©2016. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
ID Code:
80766
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
05 Aug 2016 13:46
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
31 Jan 2024 00:28