Earth's ionosphere, the final link in the solar-terrestrial connection, is fundamental to understanding conditions where solar perturbations result in damage to technological systems, such as power distribution systems, navigation aids, and communication networks. The investigators, recognizing this need, are creating a novel event-driven protocol adapting the Sondrestrom radar operational mode, data analysis, and data dissemination to the specific needs of space weather modeling and specification teams. Specifically, the Sondrestrom Radar Response System (SRRS) will enable operation during periods subsequent to detection of a coronal mass ejection, from beginning to end. Coronal mass ejections can be detected early with upstream monitors such as SOHO and WIND satellites, and their probability for terrestrial impact can then be better calculated. The design and implementation of the SRRS will greatly accelerate the development of near-real time electrodynamic specification tools for eventual integration into space weather forecasting models.
