Radar Studies of Magnetosphere Dynamics

Ionospheric radars are an important tool for studying magnetospheric dynamics. The nature of such instruments is described and their application to a number of important problems is discussed, emphasizing South African work. A study of the theory of reflection from irregularities is discussed. The nature of ULF pulsations of more than one type has been elucidated by radar studies. An improvement of the understanding of magnetospheric convection has been achieved. A new HF radar experiment being developed for operation at SANAE, Antarctica, is described. An HF radar will be operated at SANAE in conjunction with the British radar at Halley to provide vector information about magnetospheric convection within that part of the magnetosphere which maps to a large portion of the Antarctic continent. The radar will be part of the SuperDARN international network of radars.