The possibility of using all-sky meteor radar to observe ionospheric E-region field-aligned irregularities

All-sky meteor radars are primarily used for meteor observations. This paper reports the first observations of ionospheric Eregion field-aligned irregularities(FAIs) from a conventional all-sky meteor radar located at Wuhan(31°N, 114°E) for the period of March–June 2018. E-region FAI echoes evident in range-time intensity(RTI) maps show quasiperiodic striations with positive and negative slopes, which are consistent with multiple FAI structures moving across the wide beam of the meteor radar. A statistical analysis shows that out of a total of 111 d, there are 73 d with E-region FAI echoes detected by the meteor radar. The FAI events correspond well with the presence of sporadic-E layers which provide the necessary plasma density gradient for the development of gradient drift instability producing FAIs. The results demonstrate the capability of conventional meteor radars to make simultaneous routine observations of meteors and ionospheric E-region FAIs through incorporating RTI and spectral analysis into the online realtime data processing. Meteor radar observations could potentially address the limitations of ionospheric radars, which cannot provide simultaneous measurements of neutral winds and irregularity structures, and thereby contribute to better understanding of the dynamical processes producing E-region irregularities.

Quasi-90-day oscillation observed in the MLT region at low latitudes from the Kunming meteor radar and SABER

Observations of a quasi-90-day oscillation in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere(MLT) region from April 2011 to December 2014 are presented in this study. There is clear evidence of a quasi-90-day oscillation in temperatures obtained from the Kunming meteor radar(25.6°N, 103.8°E) and Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry(SABER), as well as in wind observed by the Kunming meteor radar. The quasi-90-day oscillation appears to be a prominent feature in the temperatures and meridional wind tides and presents quite regular cycles that occur approximately twice per year. The amplitudes and phases of the quasi-90-day oscillation in the SABER temperature show a feature similar to that of upward-propagated diurnal tides, which have a vertical wavelength of ～20 km above 70 km. In the lower atmosphere, a similar 90-day variability is presented in the surface latent heat flux and correlates with the temperature in the MLT region. Similar to the quasi-90-day oscillation in temperature, a 90-day variability of ozone(O3) is also present in the MLT region and is considered to be driven by a similar variability in the upwardly-propagated diurnal tides generated in the lower atmosphere. Moreover, the 90-day variability in the absorption of ultraviolet(UV) radiation by daytime O3 in the MLT region is an in situ source of the quasi-90-day oscillation in the MLT temperature.

First results of optical meteor and meteor trail irregularity from simultaneous Sanya radar and video observations

Meteoroids entering the Earth's atmosphere can create meteor trail irregularity seriously disturbing the background ionosphere. Although numerous observations of meteor trail irregularities were performed with VHF/UHF coherent scatter radars in the past, no simultaneous radar and optical instruments were employed to investigate the characteristics of meteor trail irregularity and its corresponding meteoroid. By installing multiple video cameras near the Sanya VHF radar site, an observational campaign was conducted during the period from November 2016 to February 2017. A total of 242 optical meteors with simultaneous non-specular echoes backscattered from the plasma irregularities generated in the corresponding meteor trails were identified. A good agreement between the angular positions of non-specular echoes derived from the Sanya radar interferometer and those of optical meteors was found,validating that the radar system phase offsets have been properly calibrated. The results also verify the interferometry capability of Sanya radar for meteor trail irregularity observation. The non-specular echoes with simultaneous optical meteors were detected at magnetic aspect angles greater than ~78°. Based on the meteor visual magnitude estimated from the optical data, it was found that the radar nonspecular echoes corresponding to brighter meteors survived for longer duration. This could provide observational evidence for the significance of meteoroid mass on the duration of meteor trail irregularity. On the other hand, the simultaneous radar and video common-volume observations showed that there were some cases with optical meteors but without radar non-specular echoes. One possibility could be that some of the optical meteors appeared at extremely low altitudes where meteor trail irregularities rarely occur.

Mesopause temperatures and relative densities at midlatitudes observed by the Mengcheng meteor radar

The atmospheric temperatures and densities in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere(MLT)region are essential for studying the dynamics and climate of the middle and upper atmosphere.In this study,we present more than 9 years of mesopause temperatures and relative densities estimated by using ambipolar diffusion coefficient measurements observed by the Mengcheng meteor radar(33.4°N,116.5°E).The intercomparison between the meteor radar and Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics/Sounding of the Atmosphere by Broadband Emission Radiometry(TIMED/SABER)and Earth Observing System(EOS)Aura/Microwave Limb Sounder(MLS)observations indicates that the meteor radar temperatures and densities agree well with the simultaneous satellite measurements.Annual variations dominate the mesopause temperatures,with the maximum during winter and the minimum during summer.The mesopause relative densities also show annual variations,with strong maxima near the spring equinox and weak maxima before the winter solstice,and with a minimum during summer.In addition,the mesopause density exhibits a structure similar to that of the zonal wind:as the zonal wind flows eastward(westward),the mesopause density decreases(increases).At the same time,the meridional wind shows a structure similar to that of the mesopause temperature:as the meridional wind shows northward(southward)enhancements,the mesopause temperature increases(decreases).Simultaneous horizontal wind,temperature,and density observations provide multiple mesospheric parameters for investigating mesospheric dynamics and thermodynamic processes and have the potential to improve widely used empirical atmospheric models.

Characteristics of the quasi-16-day wave in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region as revealed by meteor radar,Aura satellite,and MERRA2 reanalysis data from 2008 to 2017

This study presents an analysis of the quasi-16-day wave(Q16DW)at three stations in the middle latitudes by using a meteor radar chain in conjunction with Aura Microwave Limb Sounder temperature data and MERRA2(Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications,Version 2)reanalysis data from 2008 to 2017.The radar chain consists of three meteor radar stations located at Mohe(MH,53.5°N,122.3°E),Beijing(BJ,40.3°N,116.2°E),and Wuhan(WH,30.5°N,114.6°E).The Q16DW wave exhibits similar seasonal variation in the neutral wind and temperature,and the Q16DW amplitude is generally strong during winter and weak around summer.The Q16DW at BJ was found to have secondary enhancement around September in the zonal wind,which is rarely reported at similar latitudes.The latitudinal variations of the Q16DW in the neutral wind and temperature are quite different.The Q16DW at BJ is the most prominent in both neutral wind components among the three stations and the Q16DW amplitudes at MH and WH are comparable,whereas the wave amplitude in temperature decreases with decreasing latitude.The quasi-geostrophic refractive index squared at the three stations in the period from 2008 to 2017 was revealed.The results indicate that the Q16DW in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere(MLT)at MH has a limited contribution from the lower atmosphere.Around March and October,the Q16DW in the troposphere at BJ can propagate upward into the MLT region,whereas at WH,the contribution to the Q16DW in the MLT region is largely from the mesosphere.

VHF meteor radar at King Sejong Station,Antarctica

Since 2002, we have been observing the mesosphere and lower thermosphere （MLT） region over King Sejong Station （KSS; 62.22°S, 58.78°W）, Antarctica, using various instruments such as the Spectral Airglow Temperature Imager （SATI）, All Sky Camera （ASC） and VHF meteor radar. The meteor radar, installed in March 2007, continuously measures neutral winds in the alti- tude region 70-110 km and neutral temperature near the mesopause 24 h.d-1, regardless of weather conditions. In this study, we present results of an analysis of the neutral wind data for gravity wave activity over the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, where such activity is known to be very high. Also presented is temperature estimation from measurement of the decay times of meteor trails, which is compared with other temperature measurements from SATI and the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emis- sion Radiometry （SABER） instrument onboard the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energy and Dynamics （TIMED） satel- lite.

A comparison of MLT wind between meteor radar chain data and SDWACCM results

A meteor radar chain located along the 120°E meridian in the Northern Hemisphere from low to middle latitudes provides longterm horizontal wind observations of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere(MLT)region.In this study,we report a seasonal variation and its latitudinal feature in the horizontal mean wind in the MLT region observed by six meteor radar instruments located at Mohe(53.5°N,122.3°E),Beijing(40.3°N,116.2°E),Mengcheng(33.4°N,116.5°E),Wuhan(30.6°N,114.4°E),Kunming(25.6°N,108.3°E),and Fuke(19.5°N,109.1°E)stations.In addition,we compare the wind in the MLT region measured by the meteor radar stations with those simulated by the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model(WACCM).In general,the WACCM appears to capture well the seasonal and latitudinal variations in the zonal wind component.In particular,the temporal evolution of the eastward zonal wind maximum shifts from July to May as the latitude decreases.However,the simulated WACCM meridional wind exhibits differences from the meteor radar observations.

The Nippon/Norway Svalbard Meteor Radar: First results of small-scale structure observations

The Nippon/Norway Svalbard Meteor Radar(NSMR), has been in operation since March 2001. While primarily thought of as an instrument for examining mean wind, tidal and gravity wave neutral atmosphere dynamics in the upper mesosphere region, it is also possible to investigate spatial and temporal structure of temperature and windshear. Here, the radar itself is described followed by a presentation of these derived parameters.

Automatic Identification of Clear-Air Echoes Based on Millimeter-wave Cloud Radar Measurements

Millimeter-wave cloud radar(MMCR)provides the capability of detecting the features of micro particles inside clouds and describing the internal microphysical structure of the clouds.Therefore,MMCR has been widely applied in cloud observations.However,due to the influence of non-meteorological factors such as insects,the cloud observations are often contaminated by non-meteorological echoes in the clear air,known as clear-air echoes.It is of great significance to automatically identify the clear-air echoes in order to extract effective meteorological information from the complex weather background.The characteristics of clear-air echoes are studied here by combining data from four devices:an MMCR,a laser-ceilometer,an L-band radiosonde,and an all-sky camera.In addition,a new algorithm,which includes feature extraction,feature selection,and classification,is proposed to achieve the automatic identification of clear-air echoes.The results show that the recognition algorithm is fairly satisfied in both simple and complex weather conditions.The recognition accuracy can reach up to 95.86%for the simple cases when cloud echoes and clear-air echoes are separate,and 88.38%for the complicated cases when low cloud echoes and clear-air echoes are mixed.

Preliminary experimental results by the prototype of Sanya Incoherent Scatter Radar

In the past decades,the Incoherent Scatter Radar(ISR)has been demonstrated to be one of the most powerful instruments for ionosphere monitoring.The Institute of Geology and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences was founded to build a state-ofthe-art phased-array ISR at Sanya(18.3°N,109.6°E),a low-latitude station on Hainan Island,named the Sanya ISR(SYISR).As a first step,a prototype radar system consisting of eight subarrays(SYISR-8)was built to reduce the technical risk of producing the entire large array.In this work,we have summarized the preliminary experimental results based on the SYISR-8.The amplitude and phase among 256 channels were first calibrated through an embedded internal monitoring network.The mean oscillation of the amplitude and phase after calibration were about 1 dB and 5°,respectively,which met the basic requirements.The beam directivity was confirmed by crossing screen of the International Space Station.The SYISR-8 was further used to detect the tropospheric wind profile and meteors.The derived winds were evaluated by comparison with independent radiosonde and balloon-based GPS measurements.The SYISR-8 was able to observe several typical meteor echoes,such as the meteor head echo,range-spread trail echo,and specular trail echo.These results confirmed the validity and reliability of the SYISR-8 system,thereby reducing the technical risk of producing the entire large array of the SYISR to some extent.

基于漠河与武汉站流星雷达的中间层顶大气温度反演

本文利用漠河和武汉站的全天空流星雷达在2012—2022年期间的观测数据,基于流星高度分布的半高宽(full width at half maximum,FWHM)与温度之间的线性关系来反演90 km高度处的大气温度。对每年数据作线性拟合时发现拟合参数几乎不变,因此本文使用过去一段时间总结出的参数来拟合温度,并与传统梯度法对比。结果表明,使用FWHM法测出的温度与Aura卫星的温度更为接近,其中相关系数和平均误差均优于梯度法,并且FWHM法在较高纬度的漠河站的拟合效果好于较低纬度的武汉站。说明在漠河站和武汉站使用FWHM法反演中间层顶大气温度是可行的;同时也证明了纬度会影响FWHM法的误差,在较高纬度使用FWHM法的结果误差更小。

子午工程二期流星雷达样机测试及数据对比分析

子午工程二期将在分布于全国的10个观测站点建设流星雷达.为了带动国内空间环境地基观测技术的发展,工程建设项目指挥部布局了流星雷达的国产化专项行动.为了确保建成后的设备满足使用要求,工程总体组织了设备样机测试,包括设备的技术指标测试和数据质量评估.技术指标测试表明其满足要求.在获得数据之后,以EMDR流星雷达数据为参考,对样机的数据进行质量评估.主要对比参数包括有效流星计数、流星数时空分布、扩散系数高度分布、风场随高度的分布和随时间的变化等.本文主要展示了数据质量评估的结果,揭示了流星雷达观测的一些基本特征和规律,为数据准确性的评估提供参考和借鉴.

基于中国中东部多站流星雷达的二维风场观测研究

全天空流星雷达广泛应用于中间层-低热层大气水平风场的观测,为研究该区域大气风场的变化特征提供了重要数据支持.目前流星雷达主要采用单站观测模式,没有水平分辨率,并且只能探测流星区域的大气平均水平风场.为了得到更加丰富且精准的中间层-低热层大气风场信息,本研究介绍了建设在中国安徽地区的多站流星雷达系统,该系统包括安装在蒙城(33.36°N,116.49°E)的一台单站流星雷达和长丰(31.98°N,117.22°E)的一台远程接收机,两地直线距离约为167 km.相比于单站流星雷达,多站流星雷达系统探测到的前向散射流星数目增加了约70%,并且一般可以提供400 km×400 km以上的水平观测区域.除此之外,多站流星雷达系统还可以提供更加丰富的流星观测角度.新多站系统可以实现中间层-低热层大气二维水平风场的观测,在获取平均水平风场以及风场水平梯度的同时,还可以估计水平风场的散度、相对涡度和拉伸、剪切形变信息.多站流星雷达能够提供更多的水平风场参数,对进一步研究中间层-低热层区域的大气动力学过程具有重要意义.不仅如此,未来即将建成的多站流星雷达观测网将会实现中国中东部地区上空的中间层-低热层大气高时空分辨率的三维风场观测,这将有利于促进我们对中间层-低热层区域内的各类波动过程的理解.

平流层爆发性增温期间中高层大气行星波研究进展

极区平流层爆发性增温(SSW)是冬季半球最剧烈的大气扰动现象之一.SSW期间温度和风场的剧烈变化被认为是冬季半球中高层大气波动能量异常增强的主要原因.流星雷达是能够稳定连续探测中间层和低热层风场的重要地基探测设备.主要依托国家重大科技基础设施建设项目:“子午工程”,我国已建设了多个流星雷达观测台站,对中间层和低热层风场进行了长期稳定连续的监测,为揭示SSW期间中间层和低热层波动异常变化的物理机制提供了重要的观测资料.本文简述了近年来以我国“子午工程”流星雷达监测数据为核心,SSW期间中高层大气行星波的研究进展和成果;深入讨论了冬季半球中高层大气行星波发生异常变化的主要激发机制.随着“子午工程”二期十个流星雷达台站即将建成,本文对利用“子午工程”流星雷达监测台网进一步研究SSW期间中高层大气波动的变化特性进行了展望.

武汉上空中层和低热层大气潮汐的流星雷达观测

武汉流星雷达是2002年元月建成的我国第一部全天空流星雷达,本文对2002年2月19日到7月31日流星雷达观测的潮汐的讨论表明,武汉中层顶以周日潮汐为潮汐运动的主要分量,它的强度远大于半日潮汐,周日潮汐和半日潮汐的波源都在80km以下.周日潮汐分量在3、4月份最强,并且经向分量略强于纬向分量.两个分量的峰值在约95km处出现,分别达到44m/s和60m/s.半日潮的最大值24m/s出现在4月初约93km处.周日潮汐和半日潮汐的振幅和相位随时间呈现出拟周期变化的特征,这可能是潮汐与行星波非线形相互作用的结果.观测结果与GSWM模型的比较表明, GSWM模型在相位随高度变化趋势上与观测结果一致,但模型的周日潮相位比观测约超前1-2h,半日潮相位约滞后1-4h.在周日潮汐较强的月份,模型与观测有较大的差异,观测的幅度通常在95km附近有极大值,而模型并没有极大值. GSWM模型对半日潮的幅度的估计通常过小,观测的半日潮汐幅度有时甚至超过模型值的一倍以上.

天波超视距雷达抑制流星余迹干扰方法的研究

工作在高频波段的超视距雷达 (OTHR)会受到流星余迹的干扰 ,这种干扰的存在 ,严重影响了OTHR的正常工作。流星余迹干扰在局部短时间幅度是很强的 ,与海杂波产生差拍 ,表现为奇异性特征。利用子波变换对信号的奇异性具有很好的检测效果 ,提出了用二进制子波变换的方法有效检测和消除流星余迹瞬态干扰 ,这种方法与正交子波滤波器比较 ,有较高的灵敏度和精度 ,并且在消除流星余迹干扰后 ,使信噪比得到提高。实测数据的仿真结果表明这种算法的有效性和实用性。

天波超视距雷达抑制非瞬态流星余迹干扰研究

工作在高频波段的超视距雷达会受到流星余迹的干扰,这种干扰严重影响了超视距雷达接收机的正常工作.对于欠密类流星余迹形成的瞬态干扰,已经有了有效的抑制方法.但对于过密类余迹或多个欠密类余迹混合而形成的长持续时间的干扰,目前尚未提出有效的抑制方法.针对流星余迹干扰的特点,利用特征子空间理论,提出了有效消除非瞬态流星余迹干扰MTI滤波的方法.实测数据的仿真结果表明了这种算法的有效性和实用性.

天波超视距雷达中流星余迹干扰模型

已获得的实测数据表明,天波超视距雷达在3MHz-30MHz的工作频段内存在明显的流星余迹干扰。流星余迹干扰会对天波超视距雷达探测目标的距离和多普勒信息造成负面影响,严重时会影响到天波超视距雷达的正常工作。根据流星余迹的散射特性,结合天波超视距雷达的工作方式,建立了流星余迹干扰模型,为在天波超视距雷达中研究抑制流星余迹干扰技术提供了帮助。仿真结果与实测数据基本一致,验证了模型的有效性。

天波超视距雷达流星余迹瞬态干扰抑制方法

天波超视距雷达(OTHR)易受到流星余迹回波等强瞬态干扰的影响。目前对于流星余迹的抑制方法大多需预先抑制海、地杂波,复杂度高,实用性不强。实测数据统计表明,流星余迹与地海杂波信号的分形维区别较大,可利用其作为检测识别特征。本文提出了一种基于分形检测和预测恢复的流星余迹干扰抑制方法。该方法应用分形检测,提取信号的相似性特征,找到流星余迹干扰位置,再去掉相应干扰数据段,并通过线性预测算法恢复有效数据,达到干扰抑制的目的。该方法的优点是干扰检测前无需抑制海杂波,实用性强。仿真结果表明该方法能有效的检测干扰并抑制。

大气重力波引起的偶发钠层研究

利用了中国科学院临近空间环境野外综合探测站(廊坊,39°N,116°E)的钠荧光多普勒激光雷达和流星雷达的探测数据对廊坊上空大气重力波引起的偶发钠层(SSL)进行了研究。首先从大气重力波方程出发,计算分析了大气水平风剪切和垂直风场之间的相位关系;其次利用了钠荧光多普勒激光雷达和流星雷达的实测数据对大气重力波引起的偶发钠层进行了分析研究;经研究分析可知,由于大气重力波引起强的水平风切变和垂直风场风向反转的共同作用,其堆积效应使得钠原子密度增强,形成了偶发钠层。