CEDAR: A us program initiated for scientific achievement in aeronomy emphasizing the role, need and development of modern optical facilities

Abstract

In early 1983 a campaign was initiated in the U.S.A. to acquire modern optical facilities focusing on the use of imaging detector technology to strengthen our spectroscopic interferometric, imaging and lidar capabilities to solve some of the major aeronomic scientific problems. These scientific problems were addressed by sub-committees for spectroscopic, interferometric, imaging and lidar facilities as well as by the aeronomy modeling and theoretical community. The sub-committees further defined the science and answered the question of how each facility could help solve the posed scientific problems using current capabilities, upgraded systems and new Class I facilities. The individual sub-committee reports are assembled in Volume II of the Coupling, Energetics and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions (CEDAR) report. Volume I, synthesized by the Steering Committee, presents a three phase program over the next seven years aimed at the solution of the various CEDAR Science issues as the new facilities are developed. Recently, the CEDAR program expanded to include two additional sub-committee contributions from the radar community (both incoherent scatter, IS, and coherent) covering their roles in addressing the CEDAR Science issues. The solution of major aeronomic scientific problems through the cooperation and coordination of observations using all types of instruments, not exclusively optical, is now the main theme of the CEDAR program. In addition, it is clearly recognized that the global nature of many of the CEDAR Science issues requires the active support and involvement of the worldwide aeronomy scientific community. The scientific challenges are many, and the tasks of coordination and cooperation will be trying. However, the world aeronomy community will be justly rewarded by the resultant strides in understanding of the Coupling, Energetics and Dynamics of the Atmospheric Regions around the globe. This report will provide an overview of the CEDAR program, the types of optical facilities of interest and some of the scientific issues and proposed campaigns resulting from the 28–31 July 1986 CEDAR workshop.