Crain 9604634 This award supports a 12 month Science and Technology Agency of Japan (STA) Postdoctoral Fellowship for Dr. David James Crain at the Communications Research Laboratory (CRL), Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Crain will work with Kiyoshi Igarashi, Director of the Upper Atmosphere Section, Space Science Division, on a research project entitled "Electro-dynamic Processes of the Equatorial and Mid-Latitude Ionosphere in the Pacific Region." The PREASA (Pacific Region Equatorial Anomaly Studies in Asia) initiative is a multi-site, multi-instrumented, multi- year campaign to observe the dynamics and the electro- dynamics of the Equatorial regions of the ionosphere and test established theories on the relevant processes involved in determining motions and irregularity development. The research will allow observations that are unique in their location and their methodology and, thus, will allow the creation of databases of the ionosphere and upper atmosphere that are especially useful. The primary goal of the research is to integrate the growing PREASA observational database into a comprehensive model of the electrodynamics (Ionospheric Motions) and Ionization Distribution throughout the Pacific Longitude region. It is anticipated that such a model will aid in the development of a regional capability to predict Ionosphere electrodynamics and Irregularities which effect radio and HF propagation. These models will also aid in the analysis of future PREASA databases and help understand the general mechanisms responsible for Low and Mid-Latitude irregularities throughout the world. ***
