CNOFS Equatorial Scintillation
and Bubbles

Thursday 20 June 2002
Apache Group Room
01:00-03:00 pm

Convenor: Santimay Basu, AFB/NRL Keith Groves, Hanscom AFB
  Michael Kelley, Cornell University  
Speakers:
      1:30 - 1:40 NASA Report Mary Mellott (NASA)
      1:40 - 1:50 Physics of ESF Structures Michael Kelley (Cornell)
      1:50 - 2:00 Discussion on ESF Physics
      2:00 - 2:10 ESF Dynamics & Compostion Rod Heelis (UTD)
      2:10 - 2:20 Discussion on ESF Dynamics  
      2:20 - 2:30 3D ESF Evolution M. Keskinen (NRL)
      2:30 - 2:40 Evolution of Scintillation Structures Keith Groves (AFRL)
      2:40 - 2:50 Discussion on ESF Structuring
      2:50 - 3:00 Forecast of ESF Structuring Santi Basu (AFRL)
      3:00 - 3:10 Discussion on Forecast Issues  
      3:10 - 3:30

Discussion on Coordinated Observations with other satellites, Rockets, & Ground-Based Instruments

C/NOFS (Communication and Navigation Outage Forecast System). is the first satellite that is dedicated to forecasting ionospheric irregularities and ionospheric scintillation. It will be launched in November 2003, in a 13 degrees inclination, 700 x 400 km orbit.

This session is to help define the science related to C/NOFS. Broadly speaking, the science objectives can be organized in three categories:

  1. Understand the physics of the ionospheric plasma in the equatorial regions.

  2. Understand the physical processes that lead to the formation of plasma bubbles and plumes.

  3. Model the propagation of radio waves through the irregular equatorial ionosphere.

Several campaigns will be planned which will validate the forecasts, acquire the data to achieve the science goals, and test the theoretical models. The research will include international collaborations.

We solicit inputs on these broad topics, with particular emphasis on Equatorial Spread F, Scintillation, Satellite coordination/rockets/ campaigns.

Different themes will be presented. Each theme will be briefly introduced by a lead-person, followed by a general discussion on the topic.


-- Updated 12 June 2002 by tcantrel@ucar.edu