[P-EM13] Study of coupling processes in solar-terrestrial system

[PEM13-P08] Progress of atmospheric coupling studies with the EISCAT_3D radar system

*Hitoshi Fujiwara¹, Satonori Nozawa², Yasunobu Ogawa³, Yasunobu Miyoshi⁴ (1.Education and Research Center for Sustainable Development/Faculty of Science and Technology, Seikei University, 2.Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University, 3.National Institute of Polar Research, 4.Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University)

Keywords:EISCAT_3D, multipoint radars, atmospheric coupling, thermosphere, simulation, mesosphere

EISCAT_3D is a new research radar system for studies of the upper atmosphere and Geospace.
This system consists of multipoint radars which will enable us to monitor spatio-temporal variations (3D structures) of atmospheric and plasma environments. In particular, EISCAT_3D will be a powerful tool for studies of the coupling between the lower and upper atmospheres. For example, it is pointed out that the eddy diffusion process in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere would be important to cause semi-annual mass density variations in the upper thermosphere. In order to understand the phenomena and obtain experimental proof, monitoring of the eddy/turbulent activities in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere is necessary. Furthermore, we should investigate dynamical, chemical, and radiation processes in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere to understand recovery of enhanced mass density in the upper thermosphere after a geomagnetic storm. Observations with the EISCAT_3D system will also contribute to understand the after-storm phenomena.
We point out some outstanding issues which will be research targets for the EISCAT_3D observations. Some examples of numerical simulations will be shown to collaborate with the EISCAT_3D system.