Investigation of the influence of charged aerosol particles on the scattering of radar waves using EISCAT

• Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Markus Rapp
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Physik und Chemie der Atmosphäre
• Förderung: Förderung von 2005 bis 2012
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 15130579

It is now well accepted that observations of mesospheric ice clouds (observed as noctilucent clouds and polar mesosphere summer echoes) are potentially sensitive indicators of global change and solar cycle effects in the middle atmosphere. Interpretation of corresponding measurements, however, critically rely on a rigorous understanding of the relevant microphysical processes where fundamental gaps in our understanding still exist. It is the aim of this proposal to close several of these fundamental gaps and actually make the next step, i.e., use observations of mesospheric ice clouds to infer information on the background atmosphere. In particular, we intend to clarify the role of meteor smoke particles for the nucleation of mesospheric ice clouds, verify the current standard theory of PMSE, clarify the role of background ionization as one of the major drivers of PMSE variability, and finally use PMSE observations for studying gravity waves and instabilities in the mesopause region at hitherto unprecedented time resolution. All these objectives are to be addressed using incoherent scatter observations, primarily using the EISCAT radars in Northern Norway, but also involving measurements with the powerful Arecibo incoherent scatter radar at Puerto Rico. Where useful, these incoherent scatter radar observations will further be complemented by independent observations with IAP-owned radars operating in a wide range of frequencies. In the current proposal, we describe the progress made so far during the first and second phase of this project and we explain in detail what remains to be done to reach closure on the posed scientific questions.

• DFG-Verfahren: Schwerpunktprogramme
• Teilprojekt zu: SPP 1176: Klima und Wetter des Systems Sonne/Erde