Award Abstract #0521487
Development of the First Distributed Observatory Dedicated to Studies of the Low Latitude Ionosphere and Atmosphere

NSF Org:	ATM Division of Atmospheric Sciences
Initial Amendment Date:	August 5, 2005
Latest Amendment Date:	August 1, 2008
Award Number:	0521487
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Cassandra G. Fesen ATM Division of Atmospheric Sciences GEO Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	August 1, 2005
Expires:	July 31, 2009 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$1445715
Investigator(s):	Cesar Valladares valladar@bc.edu (Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Boston College 140 Commonwealth Avenue Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 617/552-8000
NSF Program(s):	AERONOMY, MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):	0205000 Space
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, 4444, 1521, 1189, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	T853, T371, 1521, 1189

ABSTRACT

49 new Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, 5 advanced (including low frequency) ionosondes, and five fluxgate magnetometers are distributed throughout South America in response to a conspicuous community need to understand the day-to-day variability of the low latitude and southern magnetic latitude ionosphere. The data stream produces a real "now-casting" and forecasting capability of ionospheric irregularities known as equatorial spread-F. The primary research target is prediction of radio frequency communication and navigation scintillations that are caused by these ionospheric irregularities. Distributed along a chain near 70 degrees west (70o W) longitude, from 32 degrees south (32o S) to 8 degrees north (8o N) latitude, the ionosonde chain and magnetometers provide unprecedented information concerning traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs), and gravity wave morphology, in addition to the GPS information on total electron content (TEC).

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