Multi-Instrument Measurements of Ionosphere-Thermosphere Coupling Involving Optical Interferometry

Abstract

Until recently, our understanding of the basic physical processes which occur in the F region was sufficiently poor that a single ground-based instrument could contribute to the study of ionosphere-thermosphere coupling. Now, to adequately test local and global models of the ionosphere-thermosphere system, multi-instrument measurements of the neutral atmosphere and the ionospheric plasma are required. Optical interferometry's most significant contribution has been in providing simultaneous measurements of neutral winds and temperatures from both the ground and space. When combined with plasma measurements from ground-based radars and satellite plasma probes, the best data sets for comparison with sophisticated local and global models are obtained.