Project 617 Radar - Readiness Achievement Program. Part B. Ionospheric Measurements

Abstract
The report describes the ionospheric studies performed between June 1969 and May 1970 using the DASA Project 617 incoherent-scatter radar. During this time period, significant improvements were made in the radar system to allow nearly real-time processing of the data and to increase the accuracy, time resolution, and altitude extent of the measurements. The 1970 measurements presented here are the first to be made using the new system. The daytime F- layer over Palo Alto between 1967 and 1969 was studied to determine (1) its seasonal behavior, (2) its day-to-day variations, and (3) its correlation with solar geophysical indices. Continuous 48-hour data runs were made in 1969-1970 and were used to study the ionosphere's diurnal behavior as well as its seasonal behavior during the sunrise and sunset periods. A new type of measurement, the determination of ionospheric vertical velocities, was made for the first time in 1970. Increased upward velocities during the sunrise period were found to exist. Observations of the F-layer during two partial solar eclipses were made and are reported. (Author)

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: