[P-EM14] Study of coupling processes in solar-terrestrial system

[PEM14-04] SuperDARN - today and future

*Nozomu Nishitani¹, Akira Sessai Yukimatu², Tomoaki Hori¹, Keisuke Hosokawa³ (1.Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University, 2.National Institute of Polar Research, 3.Department of Communication Engineering and Informatics, University of Electro-Communications)

Keywords:SuperDARN, mid-latitude, ionosphere, magnetosphere

The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) has more than 35 SuperDARN high-frequency (HF) radars in both hemispheres, covering approximately 40 to 90 degrees of geomagnetic latitude. The radar network allows us to extensively study ionospheric disturbances from above (solar wind and magnetosphere) and below (thermosphere, atmosphere, and even ground/sea level). The increase in solar activity over the past few years demonstrates the potential of SuperDARN as a powerful tool for studying ionospheric dynamics at high and mid latitudes. In particular, during severe geomagnetic storms, low-latitude auroras can be visible as far as Japan, providing a good opportunity to study ionospheric convection dynamics when convection cells are highly extended. In addition, recent advances in the SuperDARN network include the implementation of imaging capabilities to improve the spatial/temporal resolution of radar data. This paper presents an overview of SuperDARN network accomplishments, recent progress, and plans (short- and long-term), focusing primarily on SuperDARN activities in Japan.