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Ann. Geophys., 18, 1248-1255, 2000
www.ann-geophys.net/18/1248/2000/
© European Geosciences Union 2000
Space Plasma Exploration by Active Radar (SPEAR): an overview of a future radar facility
D. M. Wright1, J. A. Davies1, T. R. Robinson1, P. J. Chapman1, T. K. Yeoman1, E. C. Thomas1, M. Lester1, S. W. H. Cowley1, A. J. Stocker2, R. B. Horne3, and F. Honary4
1Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
2Department of Engineering, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
3British Antarctic Survey, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
4Department of Communication Systems, University of Lancaster, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YR, UK
Abstract. SPEAR is a new polar cap HF radar facility
which is to be deployed on Svalbard. The principal capabilities of SPEAR will
include the generation of artificial plasma irregularities, operation as an
'all-sky' HF radar, the excitation of ULF waves, and remote sounding of the
magnetosphere. Operation of SPEAR in conjunction with the multitude of other
instruments on Svalbard, including the EISCAT Svalbard radar, and the overlap of
its extensive field-of-view with that of several of the HF radars in the
SuperDARN network, will enable in-depth diagnosis of many geophysical and plasma
phenomena associated with the cusp region and the substorm expansion phase.
Moreover, its ability to produce artificial radar aurora will provide a means
for the other instruments to undertake polar cap plasma physics experiments in a
controlled manner. Another potential use of the facility is in 'field-line
tagging' experiments, for coordinated ground-satellite experiments. Here the
scientific objectives of SPEAR are detailed, along with the proposed technical
specifications of the system.
Key words: Ionosphere (active experiments) – Radio
science (instruments and techniques) – Space plasma physics (instruments and
techniques)
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