The investigators will continue studies of ionosphere/thermosphere storms using data from the incoherent scatter radar chain, other ground and space-based instruments, and theoretical models. The study concentrates on case studies of specific storm intervals, and includes the coordination efforts involved in bringing scientists together in collaborative data analysis activities. The storm study is a cooperative effort among scientists in the U. S. and overseas concentrating on specific ionosphere/thermosphere storm intervals with particularly good data coverage. The aim is to involve interested scientists with F-region/thermosphere data or modeling capabilities in coordinated efforts to understand the coupled upper atmospheric regions at different heights and on a global scale during geomagnetically disturbed conditions. As the next solar cycle maximum approaches, many more storm intervals will become available which can be chosen for coordinated study using state of the art models and distributed instruments. The effort includes coordination activities to bring collaborating scientists together to discuss the analysis of storm data. Scientific investigations include storm effects on F2 region electron densities, the role of electric fields and neutral winds, neutral composition changes, and reduction in ionospheric electron densities due to the presence of vibrationally excited species.
