An MF/HF Antenna Array for Radio and Radar Imaging of the Ionosphere

The atmosphere is a source of natural radio emissions in the medium-frequency (MF) and high-frequency (HF) bands (0.3 to 30 MHz). In addition to natural emissions, artificial emissions from the ionosphere can be stimulated using high-power HF radiowave ionospheric modification facilities, one of which is located at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. The Aguadilla Radio Array will measure these emissions and will also function as a bistatic imaging radar receiver, in collaboration with the University of Colorado / NOAA HF radar located at the USGS San Juan Observatory in Cayey, Puerto Rico. Radio and radar data recorded by the Aguadilla array can be used to study lightning and meteors, radar images of the ionosphere will contribute to the study of space weather, and radio images of artificial emissions will contribute to better understanding the geometry and mechanisms of stimulated radio emissions.