Science
The Haystack Observatory Atmospheric Sciences Group pursues a broad spectrum of upper-atmosphere research, including studies of Earth's thermosphere, ionosphere, magnetosphere, and the processes which couple and perturb these regions.
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| Solar-terrestrial interactions |
This central research emphasis has evolved from the Group's use of the large UHF Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar (ISR) as its principal observing system. The wide spatial range and high sensitivity of this radar provide direct observations of the characteristics and processes of these regions from the mid-latitude vantage point of the Observatory's Massachusetts location. More than forty years of radar observations, combined with supporting measurements and derived parameters available through the Madrigal database, underlie the research topics being undertaken. The coupling among upper atmospheric regions is especially important, since the system operating an a whole must be considered in order to understand and possibly predict significant processes and effects. The influences and application of the aspects of our basic research program to ground and space-based technological infrastructure, Space Weather, is an important and growing focus of the Group's research activity.
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