Ionospheric Research

1. DOPPLER SOUNDERS

The performance of high frequency skywave radio circuits is degraded by electron density irregularities near the ionospheric reflection point. Doppler sounders are used to probe these ionospheric disturbances while simultaneously monitoring the variations in the magnetic field with ground based magnetometers. An array of Doppler sounders was operated during 1994 on a campaign basis. The location of these receiving sites is shown below. For further information on the equipment refer to a publication on the sounders or email Prof. F.W. Menk.

More recently, the theoretical understanding of ULF wave propagation in the ionosphere and the consequences for over-the-horizon radar data has been studied. Preliminary results are presented in the Ph.D. thesis of Ian Dunlop. Further expansion of the computer code and applications are being undertaken by Prof C.L. Waters and Dr. M. Sciffer.

Location of field station sites
Station Abbreviation GG GG L Frequency 1 Frequency 2
Bribie Island
Bri
-30.5 151.6 1.72 8.638MHz 12.984MHz
Armidale
Ari
-32.3 150.5 1.82 5.00MHz
Newcastle
Nwi
-33.0 151.2 1.92 3.9465MHz 7.893MHz
Clarencetown
Cli
-33.4 151.1 1.90 5.00MHz
Orbost
Ori
-35.3 149.4 2.04 5.00MHz 8.638MHz
Launceston
Lai
-37.5 148.1 2.23 12.984MHz

A table of the Doppler reciever sites used on a campaign basis
during 1993 and 1994, GG = geographic co-ordinates.


2. IMAGING RIOMETER

Imaging riometers are ideal for studying ionospheric plasma dynamics associated with high latitude phenomena on both the day and night side of the magnetosphere. The SPWG goup in collaboration with the Institute for Physical Science and Technology at the University of Maryland (USA - Professor Ted Rosenberg) and the Australian Antarctic Division (Dr. Ray Morris) have deployed a high resolution 38.2 MHz imagimg riometer at the Australian Antarctic base at Davis (-74.6 deg latitude). The aim is to study space-time images of the cusp and auroral latitude ionosphere in conjunction with the digital magnetometer network. Further information is available from Professor Brian Fraser .


3. TIGER RADAR

The TIGER radar is a SuperDARN radar that is planned for installation in Tasmania in the near future. TIGER is a collaborative effort involving Latrobe University [Prof. P. Dyson], Monash Univerisity [Dr. J. Bennett], Australian Antarctic Division [Dr. R. Morris], Defence Science and Technology Organisation [Dr. B. Ward], Ionospheric Prediction Service [Dr. P. Wilkinson] and University of Newcastle [Prof C.L. Waters and Prof. B.J. Fraser]. Click here for more information.