Abstract
The MU (middle and upper atmosphere) radar, established in Shigaraki in 1984, has been extensively contributing to the studies of the atmospheric dynamics. The fine time-height variations of the three components of the wind fields in the troposphere (below 10-15km) and middle atmosphere (10-100km) are observed with the MU radar, by using the clear air echoes caused by the refractive index fluctuations induced by the atmospheric turbulence. Various parameters of the ionized atmosphere in the ionospheric E and F regions (100-400km) can also be obtained by the incoherent scatter measurements with the MU radar. The versatility of the MU radar has enabled us to develop new observation techniques, such as RASS (Radio Acoustic Sounding System) for profiling the atmospheric temperature in the lower atmosphere, and the spatial and frequency domain interferometer for the measurements of the detailed structure of the atmospheric motions.
