Articles | Volume 15, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-15-127-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-15-127-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
06 May 2026
Research article |
| 06 May 2026
| 06 May 2026
Improving the Magic constant – data-based calibration of phased array radars
Theresa Rexer
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Björn Gustavsson
Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Juha Vierinen
Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Andres Spicher
Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Devin Ray Huyghebaert
Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock, Kühlungsborn, Germany
Andreas Kvammen
Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Robert Gillies
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Asti Bhatt
SRI International Menlo Park, 333 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, 94025, CA, United States
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Magnus F. Ivarsen, Kaili Song, Luca Spogli, Jean-Pierre St-Maurice, Devin Ray Huyghebaert, Brian Pitzel, Saif Marei, Yangyang Shen, Satoshi Kasahara, Kunihiro Keika, Yoshizumi Miyoshi, Tomo Hori, Atsuki Shinbori, Kazuhiro Yamamoto, David Russel Themens, P. Thayyil Jayachandran, Yoichi Kazama, Shiang-Yu Wang, Ayako Matsuoka, Iku Shinohara, Takefumi Mitani, Takeshi Takashima, Shoichiro Yokota, Yoshiya Kasahara, and Glenn Hussey
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2344, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2344, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Annales Geophysicae (ANGEO).
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During geomagnetic storms, the sun drives auroral plasma turbulence that disrupts GPS signals. This turbulence spans sizes from hundreds of kilometers to meters, but most instruments see only a narrow slice. We combined radar and GPS receiver data to build a continuous turbulence spectrum across four orders of magnitude in scale, validated by satellite conjunctions. The spectrum suggests the ionosphere directly mirrors magnetospheric energy input, providing a baseline for space weather models.
Etienne Gavazzi, Andres Spicher, Björn Gustavsson, Juha Vierinen, James Clemmons, Robert Pfaff, and Douglas Rowland
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2126, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2126, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Annales Geophysicae (ANGEO).
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Auroras are caused by energetic electrons entering the upper atmosphere. For the smallest and most dynamic auroras, scientists think electrons are accelerated by waves (called Alfvén waves) thousands of kilometers above Earth. In this paper, we analyse data from a rocket that flew through an aurora, applying existing and new techniques to estimate where the acceleration took place. Our results match theory, and we show how they can be used to study conditions in the near-Earth space environment.
Margaretha Myrvang and Björn Johan Gustavsson
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1118, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1118, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Annales Geophysicae (ANGEO).
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This is the second of two papers. The first paper demonstrate that the electron distribution becomes non-Maxwellian during radio wave heating. Electron cooling rates are macroscopic properties of the electron gas, where electrons transfer some of their kinetic energy through collisions with neutrals and ions, and can be determined by integrating over the electron distribution. Any changes in the electron distribution affect the cooling rates.
Margaretha Myrvang and Björn Gustavsson
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1117, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1117, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Annales Geophysicae (ANGEO).
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This paper investigate how radio wave heating affect the electron distribution in the D region. Radio wave heating can lead to absorption of radio wave energy by electrons, thereby increasing the temperature. Electrons are cooled by inelastic collisions with the neutrals atmosphere, affecting the electron distribution since electrons lose energy by exciting different states in neutrals. Thus, electrons are redistributed to lower energies, which changes the shape of the electron distribution.
Oliver Stalder, Björn Gustavsson, and Ilkka Virtanen
Ann. Geophys., 44, 123–135, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-123-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-123-2026, 2026
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The rapid changes in ion composition during auroral are dynamically modeled by integrating the coupled continuity equations for 15 ionospheric species. The effect of the ionospheric variation on the inversion of incoherent scatter radar (ISR) electron density profiles to differential energy spectra of precipitating electrons is studied. A systematic overestimation at high electron energies can be removed using a dynamic model. Comparisons are made with static and steady-state ionospheric models.
Kian Sartipzadeh, Andreas Kvammen, Björn Gustavsson, Njål Gulbrandsen, Magnar G. Johnsen, Devin Huyghebaert, and Juha Vierinen
Ann. Geophys., 44, 85–107, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-85-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-85-2026, 2026
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Knowledge of the charged environment in the upper atmosphere is essential for understanding space weather effects on satellites and radio communication. This environment is difficult to estimate at high latitudes, where aurora cause strong variability. We developed an artificial intelligence model to estimate this environment continuously. Our results show that the model provides reliable estimates even during auroral activity, improving monitoring of the polar upper atmosphere.
Stephen Omondi, Spencer Mark Hatch, Andreas Kvammen, Magnar Gullikstad Johnsen, Mathew J. Owens, Kristian Solheim Thinn, and Rodrigo López
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-6298, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-6298, 2026
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Researchers tested whether combining real-time solar wind data with forecasts can improve predictions of local geomagnetic activity in Norway. Using a machine learning model, they found that accurate solar wind speed and magnetic field direction are key for reliable forecasts over 3 hours ahead, while CME arrival time only helps if magnetic field data is precise.
Etienne Gavazzi, Andres Spicher, Björn Gustavsson, James Clemmons, Robert Pfaff, and Douglas Rowland
Ann. Geophys., 44, 1–15, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-1-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-1-2026, 2026
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Auroral precipitation refers to energetic particles that come down into the upper part of our atmosphere, the ionosphere. There, they collide with atoms and molecules and transfer some of their energy, causing aurora. The most rapid time-variation of this energy deposition and its consequences on the ionosphere are not fully understood. We show here that one can use a new model to study auroral precipitation on sub-second timescales and advance our understanding about small-scale dynamic aurora.
Ingeborg Frøystein, Andres Spicher, and Kjellmar Oksavik
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-6188, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-6188, 2025
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The dayside auroral region is a highly dynamic region of the ionosphere that is influenced by the coupling between the solar wind, magnetosphere, and ionosphere. In this paper, we illustrate this dynamic nature and present a quantitative analysis of both altitudinal and latitudinal variation within the region. In addition, ionospheric parameters on closed field lines, along the open-closed field line boundary and in the polar cap are statistically compared.
Spencer Mark Hatch, Ilkka Virtanen, Karl Magnus Laundal, Habtamu Wubie Tesfaw, Juha Vierinen, Devin Ray Huyghebaert, Andres Spicher, and Jens Christian Hessen
Ann. Geophys., 43, 633–649, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-633-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-633-2025, 2025
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This study addresses the design of next-generation incoherent scatter radar experiments used to study the ionosphere, particularly with systems that have multiple sites. We have developed a method to estimate uncertainties of measurements of plasma density, temperature, and ion drift. Our method is open-source, and helps to optimize radar configurations and assess the effectiveness of an experiment. This method ultimately serves to enhance our understanding of Earth's space environment.
Paul Prikryl, David R. Themens, Jaroslav Chum, Shibaji Chakraborty, Robert G. Gillies, and James M. Weygand
Ann. Geophys., 43, 511–534, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-511-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-511-2025, 2025
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Traveling ionospheric disturbances are plasma density fluctuations usually driven by atmospheric gravity waves in the neutral atmosphere. The aim of this study is to attribute multi-instrument observations of traveling ionospheric disturbances to gravity waves generated in the upper atmosphere at high latitudes or gravity waves generated by tropospheric weather systems at midlatitudes.
Devin Huyghebaert, Juha Vierinen, Björn Gustavsson, Ralph Latteck, Toralf Renkwitz, Marius Zecha, Claudia C. Stephan, J. Federico Conte, Daniel Kastinen, Johan Kero, and Jorge L. Chau
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2323, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2323, 2025
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The phenomena of meteors occurs at altitudes of 60–120 km and can be used to measure the neutral atmosphere. We use a large high power radar system in Norway (MAARSY) to determine changes to the atmospheric density between the years of 2016–2023 at altitudes of 85–115 km. The same day-of-year is compared, minimizing changes to the measurements due to factors other than the atmosphere. This presents a novel method by which to obtain atmospheric neutral density variations.
Devin Huyghebaert, Björn Gustavsson, Juha Vierinen, Andreas Kvammen, Matthew Zettergren, John Swoboda, Ilkka Virtanen, Spencer M. Hatch, and Karl M. Laundal
Ann. Geophys., 43, 99–113, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-99-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-99-2025, 2025
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The EISCAT_3D radar is a new ionospheric radar under construction in the Fennoscandia region. The radar will make measurements of plasma characteristics at altitudes above approximately 60 km. The capability of the system to make these measurements at spatial scales of less than 100 m using multiple digitised signals from each of the radar antenna panels is highlighted. There are many ionospheric small-scale processes that will be further resolved using the techniques discussed here.
Dorota Jozwicki, Puneet Sharma, Devin Huyghebaert, and Ingrid Mann
Ann. Geophys., 42, 431–453, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-431-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-431-2024, 2024
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We investigated the relationship between polar mesospheric summer echo (PMSE) layers and the solar cycle. Our results indicate that the average altitude of PMSEs, the echo power in the PMSEs and the thickness of the layers are, on average, higher during the solar maximum than during the solar minimum. We infer that higher electron densities at ionospheric altitudes might be necessary to observe multilayered PMSEs. We observe that the thickness decreases as the number of multilayers increases.
Tinna L. Gunnarsdottir, Ingrid Mann, Wuhu Feng, Devin R. Huyghebaert, Ingemar Haeggstroem, Yasunobu Ogawa, Norihito Saito, Satonori Nozawa, and Takuya D. Kawahara
Ann. Geophys., 42, 213–228, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-213-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-213-2024, 2024
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Several tons of meteoric particles burn up in our atmosphere each day. This deposits a great deal of material that binds with other atmospheric particles and forms so-called meteoric smoke particles. These particles are assumed to influence radar measurements. Here, we have compared radar measurements with simulations of a radar spectrum with and without dust particles and found that dust influences the radar spectrum in the altitude range of 75–85 km.
Yoshimasa Tanaka, Yasunobu Ogawa, Akira Kadokura, Takehiko Aso, Björn Gustavsson, Urban Brändström, Tima Sergienko, Genta Ueno, and Satoko Saita
Ann. Geophys., 42, 179–190, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-179-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-179-2024, 2024
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We present via simulation how useful monochromatic images taken by a multi-point imager network are for auroral research in the EISCAT_3D project. We apply the generalized-aurora computed tomography (G-ACT) to modeled multiple auroral images and ionospheric electron density data. It is demonstrated that G-ACT provides better reconstruction results than the normal ACT and can interpolate ionospheric electron density at a much higher spatial resolution than observed by the EISCAT_3D radar.
Samuel Kočiščák, Andreas Kvammen, Ingrid Mann, Nicole Meyer-Vernet, David Píša, Jan Souček, Audun Theodorsen, Jakub Vaverka, and Arnaud Zaslavsky
Ann. Geophys., 42, 191–212, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-191-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-191-2024, 2024
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In situ observations are crucial for understanding interplanetary dust, yet not every spacecraft has a dedicated dust detector. Dust encounters happen at great speeds, leading to high energy density at impact, which leads to ionization and charge release, which is detected with electrical antennas. Our work looks at how the transient charge plume interacts with Solar Orbiter spacecraft. Our findings are relevant for the design of future experiments and the understanding of present data.
Thomas B. Leyser, Tima Sergienko, Urban Brändström, Björn Gustavsson, and Michael T. Rietveld
Ann. Geophys., 41, 589–600, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-589-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-589-2023, 2023
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Powerful radio waves transmitted into the ionosphere from the ground were used to study electron energization in the pumped ionospheric plasma turbulence, by detecting optical emissions from atomic oxygen. Our results obtained with the EISCAT (European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association) facilities in northern Norway and optical detection with the ALIS (Auroral Large Imaging System) in northern Sweden suggest that long-wavelength upper hybrid waves are important in accelerating electrons.
Andreas Kvammen, Kristoffer Wickstrøm, Samuel Kociscak, Jakub Vaverka, Libor Nouzak, Arnaud Zaslavsky, Kristina Rackovic Babic, Amalie Gjelsvik, David Pisa, Jan Soucek, and Ingrid Mann
Ann. Geophys., 41, 69–86, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-69-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-69-2023, 2023
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Collisional fragmentation of asteroids, comets and meteoroids is the main source of dust in the solar system. The dust distribution is however uncharted and the role of dust in the solar system is largely unknown. At present, the interplanetary medium is explored by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft. We present a novel method, based on artificial intelligence, that can be used for detecting dust impacts in Solar Orbiter observations with high accuracy, advancing the study of dust in the solar system.
Johann Stamm, Juha Vierinen, Björn Gustavsson, and Andres Spicher
Ann. Geophys., 41, 55–67, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-55-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-55-2023, 2023
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The study of some ionospheric events benefit from the knowledge of how the physics varies over a volume and over time. Examples are studies of aurora or energy deposition. With EISCAT3D, measurements of ion velocity vectors in a volume will be possible for the first time. We present a technique that uses a set of such measurements to estimate electric field and neutral wind. The technique relies on adding restrictions to the estimates. We successfully consider restrictions based on physics.
Daniel K. Whiter, Noora Partamies, Björn Gustavsson, and Kirsti Kauristie
Ann. Geophys., 41, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-1-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-1-2023, 2023
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We measured the height of green and blue aurorae using thousands of camera images recorded over a 7-year period. Both colours are typically brightest at about 114 km altitude. When they peak at higher altitudes the blue aurora is usually higher than the green aurora. This information will help other studies which need an estimate of the auroral height. We used a computer model to explain our observations and to investigate how the green aurora is produced.
Paul Prikryl, Robert G. Gillies, David R. Themens, James M. Weygand, Evan G. Thomas, and Shibaji Chakraborty
Ann. Geophys., 40, 619–639, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-619-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-619-2022, 2022
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The solar wind interaction with Earth’s magnetic field deposits energy into the upper portion of the atmosphere at high latitudes. The coupling process that modulates the ionospheric convection and intensity of ionospheric currents leads to formation of densely ionized patches convecting across the polar cap. The ionospheric currents launch traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) propagating equatorward. The polar cap patches and TIDs are then observed by networks of radars and GPS receivers.
Knut Ola Dølven, Juha Vierinen, Roberto Grilli, Jack Triest, and Bénédicte Ferré
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 11, 293–306, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-11-293-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-11-293-2022, 2022
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Sensors capable of measuring rapid fluctuations are important to improve our understanding of environmental processes. Many sensors are unable to do this, due to their reliance on the transfer of the measured property, for instance a gas, across a semi-permeable barrier. We have developed a mathematical tool which enables the retrieval of fast-response signals from sensors with this type of sensor design.
Carsten Baumann, Antti Kero, Shikha Raizada, Markus Rapp, Michael P. Sulzer, Pekka T. Verronen, and Juha Vierinen
Ann. Geophys., 40, 519–530, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-519-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-519-2022, 2022
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The Arecibo radar was used to probe free electrons of the ionized atmosphere between 70 and 100 km altitude. This is also the altitude region were meteors evaporate and form secondary particulate matter, the so-called meteor smoke particles (MSPs). Free electrons attach to these MSPs when the sun is below the horizon and cause a drop in the number of free electrons, which are the subject of these measurements. We also identified a different number of free electrons during sunset and sunrise.
Mizuki Fukizawa, Takeshi Sakanoi, Yoshimasa Tanaka, Yasunobu Ogawa, Keisuke Hosokawa, Björn Gustavsson, Kirsti Kauristie, Alexander Kozlovsky, Tero Raita, Urban Brändström, and Tima Sergienko
Ann. Geophys., 40, 475–484, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-475-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-475-2022, 2022
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The pulsating auroral generation mechanism has been investigated by observing precipitating electrons using rockets or satellites. However, it is difficult for such observations to distinguish temporal changes from spatial ones. In this study, we reconstructed the horizontal 2-D distribution of precipitating electrons using only auroral images. The 3-D aurora structure was also reconstructed. We found that there were both spatial and temporal changes in the precipitating electron energy.
Derek McKay, Juha Vierinen, Antti Kero, and Noora Partamies
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 11, 25–35, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-11-25-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-11-25-2022, 2022
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When radio waves from our galaxy enter the Earth's atmosphere, they are absorbed by electrons in the upper atmosphere. It was thought that by measuring the amount of absorption, it would allow the height of these electrons in the atmosphere to be determined. If so, this would have significance for future instrument design. However, this paper demonstrates that it is not possible to do this, but it does explain how multiple-frequency measurements can nevertheless be useful.
Ryan Volz, Jorge L. Chau, Philip J. Erickson, Juha P. Vierinen, J. Miguel Urco, and Matthias Clahsen
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 7199–7219, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7199-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7199-2021, 2021
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We introduce a new way of estimating winds in the upper atmosphere (about 80 to 100 km in altitude) from the observed Doppler shift of meteor trails using a statistical method called Gaussian process regression. Wind estimates and, critically, the uncertainty of those estimates can be evaluated smoothly (i.e., not gridded) in space and time. The effective resolution is set by provided parameters, which are limited in practice by the number density of the observed meteors.
Johann Stamm, Juha Vierinen, and Björn Gustavsson
Ann. Geophys., 39, 961–974, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-961-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-961-2021, 2021
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Measurements of the electric field and neutral wind in the ionosphere are important for understanding energy flows or electric currents. With incoherent scatter radars (ISRs), we can measure the velocity of the ions, which depends on both the electrical field and the neutral wind. In this paper, we investigate methods to use ISR data to find reasonable values for both parameters. We find that electric field can be well measured down to 125 km height and neutral wind below this height.
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Short summary
We present a second-level calibration method for electron density measurements from multi-beam incoherent scatter radars. It is based on the well-known Flat field correction method used in imaging and photography. The method improves data quality and useability as it accounts for unaccounted and unpredictable variations in the radar system. This is valuable for studies where inter-beam calibration is important such as studies of polar cap patches, plasma irregularities and turbulence.
We present a second-level calibration method for electron density measurements from multi-beam...
