The EISCAT_3D Science Case:Current Status

Ian McCreaSTFC RAL

Preparatory Phase WP3: Science Case Work Package

• Engaging with potential new users• Holding targeted workshops• Gathering requirements for new science• Revising/developing the science case• Feeding science demands back to radar design• Issuing periodic versions of science case,

consistent with the PSD

The Science Working Group

• Convenors: Anita Aikio, Ian McCrea• 5-10 members at any time• Mix of existing and new EISCAT users• Membership rotates annually• Cover a wide range of science topics• Atmospheric science, space weather, modelling...• Two meetings with each committee, email

exchanges in between

Timetable of Activities• Current WG members: Mark Clilverd, Markus Rapp, Yasonobu Ogawa,

Kjellmar Oksavik, Asta Pellinen-Wannberg.

• First Meeting: FMI Helsinki 14/1/2011 (also Kirsti Kauristie and Pekka Verronen)

• Second Meeting: Uppsala 17/5/2011 (also Stephan Buchert and Thomas Leyser)

• First version of the science case due in Month 9 (July)

• Next roll of WG: Space Weather and Modelling

• Annual reports each year

• Final version of case in month 48

Key Capabilities

The most sophisticated research radar ever!

Five key capabilities: Volumetric imaging and tracking Aperture Synthesis imaging Multistatic, multi-beam configuration Greatly improved sensitivity Transmitter flexibility

These abilities never before combined in a single radar

Volumetric Imaging

• Image a broad three-dimensional field-of-view

• Quasi-simultaneous horizontal structure (as well as vertical)

• Rapid scanning or post beam-forming

Aperture Synthesis Imaging• Imaging concept already developed by UiT on the ESR system

• Extended to a modular array for EISCAT_3D type array and demonstrated at Jicamarca

Multi-static, Multi-beam...

”Adjusted DoubleMercedes”

• N-S drift in E-region

• E-W drift in F-region

Improved Flexibility and Sensitivity

• Large, fully digital aperture• Very flexible transmitter• State-of-the-art digital processing

Flexible Experiments

• Continuous, unattended operations• Multiple, interleaved experiments• Intelligent scheduling

– www.eiscat3d.se/drupal/content/vision-eiscat3d

Structure of the Science Case

• Executive Summary• Introduction to EISCAT_3D• The Science Case:– Atmospheric physics and global change– Space and plasma physics– Solar system science– Space weather and service applications– Radar techniques, coding and analysis

Atmospheric Section

• Background• Dynamical coupling in the atmosphere• Solar-terrestrial effects on atmospheric chemistry• Dynamical and chemical coupling in the

mesosphere• Atmospheric turbulence in the stratosphere and

troposphere• Short and long-term change in the upper

atmosphere

Space Weather and Service Applications:Topics Covered

• Space debris monitoring

• Effects of thermospheric density changes

• Ionospheric monitoring for communications, GPS TEC, scintillations

• Data assimilation for improvements in modelling

• Support for geospace science missions (e.g. SWARM)

Space Weather and Service Applications:Key Issues

• Validation of space debris models

• Data assimilation into propagation and TEC models

• Potential for improvements in forecast capabilities

• Real-time predictions and status reports, community needs?

• Using flexible observation philosophy forspace weather products

• Multi-purpose codes

• Optimise duty cycle, number of beams

• Aperiodic codes

• Arbitrary phase transmission

• Amplitude control

• Lag profile inversion

• Optimise DSP and computing

Radar techniques, coding and analysis:Topics covered

Radar techniques, coding and analysis:Planned Activities

• “Handbook” to develop full theory of measurement principles for phased arrays

• Use of LOFAR as an open technology platform

• Development of intelligent scheduling, decision-making

• Data handling techniques for very large data sets

• Contribute to e-infrastructure development for the space weather community

Hand over to Anita......