Radar observations of ionospheric irregularities at Syowa Station, Antarctica: a brief overview

T. Ogawa (1)

1 STEL - Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory [Nagoya]

We briefly overview the radar observations that have been made for 30 years at Syowa Station, Antarctica for studying small-scale electron-density irregularities in the southern high-latitude E- and F-region ionosphere. Some observational results (i.e., long-term variations of radio aurora, Doppler spectra with narrow spectral widths and low Doppler velocities, and simultaneous observations of radar and optical auroras) from VHF radars capable of detecting 1.3- to 3-m scale irregularities are presented. A new 50-MHz radar system equipped with phased-antenna arrays began operation in February 1995 to observe two-dimensional behaviours of E-region irregularities. An HF radar experiment also began in February 1995 to explore decameter-scale E- and F-region irregularities in the auroral zone and polar cap. These two radars will contribute to a better understanding of the ionospheric irregularities and ionospheric physics at southern high latitudes.

Domaines: Océan, Atmosphère; Sciences de la Terre

T. Ogawa. Radar observations of ionospheric irregularities at Syowa Station, Antarctica: a brief overview. Annales Geophysicae, 1996, 14 (12), pp.1454-1461. ⟨hal-00316272⟩