The first batch of scientific exploration results from the Northern Mid-Latitude High-Frequency Radar Network, one of the major equipment of the "Space Environment Ground-based Comprehensive Monitoring Network" (Ziwu Project Phase II) under the national major scientific and technological infrastructure during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, was released today (May 20th), as reported by the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The exploration results include: During the severe magnetic storm on May 10, 2024, observations from the 15th beam of the Longjing West High-Frequency Radar revealed shortwave attenuation caused by a solar flare eruption lasting about an hour, as well as rapid drift of a large number of small-scale ionospheric irregularities.
Detection results at the 15th beam of the Longjingxi High-Frequency Radar during the severe magnetic storm on May 10, 2024.
These scientific findings signify a new breakthrough for China in high-frequency coherent scatter radar technology and scientific research.
The Northern Mid-Latitude High-Frequency Radar Network is China's first high-frequency coherent scatter radar detection network, led by the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The network consists of 3 stations and 6 high-frequency coherent scatter radars, with stations located in Longjing City, Jilin Province in eastern China, Siziwang Banner in Inner Mongolia in central China, and Hejing County in Xinjiang in western China. The detection range extends up to 4000 kilometers north-south and over 10,000 kilometers east-west, covering a vast area of the northern Eurasian sector with magnetic latitudes ranging from 40 to 80 degrees. This marks the first comprehensive high-precision continuous detection of the mid-to-high latitude ionosphere in the Eurasian sector.
△ Jilin Longjing Station
Panorama of Siziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia
Panorama of Xinjiang and Jing Station
The high-frequency radar network in northern China will serve as a bridge connecting the Earth's polar regions and the domestic monitoring network, while effectively filling the gaps in the international Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN), providing high-quality detection data for global space weather forecasting and early warning.
Illustration of the detection range of the High-Frequency Radar Network in the Northern Mid-Latitude
Following the principle of "construction, operation, and output simultaneously" in the second phase of the Meridian Project, the High-Frequency Radar Network in the Northern Mid-Latitude has been fully completed in October 2023. It has passed the process acceptance of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. After the second phase of the Meridian Project passes the national acceptance in 2024, it will officially join the international Super Dual Auroral Radar Network.
SuperDARN is an international cooperative organization composed of more than 30 high-frequency coherent scatter radars from over ten countries worldwide. Current members of the organization include over ten universities and research institutions from countries such as the UK, the US, Canada, Japan, China, France, Italy, Norway, Australia, and South Africa.
(CCTV reporter Shuai Junquan, Chu Erjia)
