The complex dynamic and electrodynamic interactions of the ionosphere, neutral atmosphere, and solar wind are untangled in the context of five specific initiatives. First, the hypothesis that discrepancies between the subauroral electrics fields measured at the Millstone Hill Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) site and at San Santin, France is caused by a flywheel mechanism is investigated using measurements from two Fabry-Perot interferometers and two all-sky cameras at Millstone Hill. Second, a new technique to derive electron density and temperature using ISR plasma line and gyro line measurements is implemented and tested using data from the Sondrestromfjord, Greenland ISR. Third, molecular ion models are used to estimate the molecular population to be included in ISR spectral fitting, resulting in improved ion and electron temperature determination. Fourth, a technique to assemble a real-time measure of the equatorial electrical field around the globe is applied with the intention of predicting F-region ionospheric irregularities collectively known as equatorial spread-F. Fifth, two all-sky cameras are positioned at Cerro Tololo, Chile and at Huancayo, Peru for the purpose of capturing plasma bubble structure and morphology using a stereo view.
In the regions of space surrounding the earth, weather has been found to affect human endeavors in a number of ways. The P.I. has been involved in understanding these issues since the very beginning of the National Space Weather Program. His main contributions in this area involve space weather’s effects on communications from spacecraft to the earth and its effects on navigation using GPS. Over the years, this grant has led, in particular, to a key understanding of convective ionospheric storms, which mimic thunderstorms in their release of gravitational energy. These storms create turbulence similar to that which allows radars to detect thunderstorms. Indeed, the ionospheric radars used in this research have enabled a deeper understanding of space weather in the lowest latitudes of the earth where developing countries are relying more and more on technology for communication and navigation. Additional studies on human impacts include a space weather effect on low-latitude electric power systems and proof that the largest extraterrestrial impact in over 100 years was caused by a comet. Recently, the P.I. published a paper on elephant detection of thunderstorms, a factor in their migration patterns. These studies were in addition to hundreds of refereed papers, five books, and four encyclopedia articles of more general interest. As a professor, the P.I. has emphasized the Ph.D. education of underrepresented (URM) minority students, over 40% of whom (out of 28) are URM. He has had seven post docs, all of whom were female, and many undergraduate researchers over the years from all ethnic and gender backgrounds.
