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MU Radar (Middle and Upper Atmosphere Radar) and Shigaraki MU observatory
Overview
The MU radar, located at Shigaraki MU observatory, Shigaraki, Japan, is known as the most capable atmospheric radar in the world. It has been used by both domestic and international researchers since 1984 for the study of variability of the Earth's atmosphere from variety of perspectives from meteorology to upper atmospheric dynamics.
MU Radar
The MU radar uses VHF radio waves with a frequency of 46.5 MHz (3.5 MHz bandwidth and 1 MW peak output power). The antenna area consists of 475 Yagi antennas arranged in a circular array of 103 m diameter. Fast beam steering and flexibility for various observation configurations are the characteristics of MU radar. In 2004, MU radar imaging observation system with ultra multi-channel digital receivers was installed for the study of detailed structures in the atmosphere.
Outlook of the MU radar
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Array antenna
TX/RX modules
MU radar observatory and various instruments
The novel technique of the MU radar has been applied to the development of various other types of atmospheric radars. Many of them and other instruments are operated in Shigaraki MU Observatory that is becoming a core center of atmospheric observation.
Millimeter-wave Doppler radar
L-band lower troposphere radar
Lower thermosphere proflier radar
Rayleigh Raman lidar
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Equatorial Atmosphere Radar (EAR)
Overview
EAR is a large Doppler radar facility located at the equator in West Sumatra, Republic of Indonesia. It consists of 560 Yagi-antennas in a circular field of 110 m in diameter. EAR has almost the same functionality as the MU radar except that the output power is 100 kW. It can observe winds and turbulence in the altitude range of 1.5 km to 20 km (troposphere and lower-stratosphere), and ionospheric irregularities at an altitude above 90 km.
Photo: Antenna field of the EAR
In close collaboration with the National Institute for Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) of Indonesia, EAR has carried out long-term observations since June 2001. Research funded by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research for Priority Areas “Coupling Processes in the Equatorial Atmosphere (CPEA)” is currently being conducted during 2001–2006 as a collaborative study involving Shimane University, Tokyo Metropolitan University and Nagoya University. During the course of the CPEA projcet, various instruments have been accumulated in the EAR site.
Figure: Various instrument in the EAR site
In addition to the EAR, we operate mediam frequency (MF) radar and boundary layer radar facilities in suburbs of Jakarta, West Kalimantan, South Jawa, which participate in a regional radar network in Indonesia, EAR, the MU radar and number of radar facilities in other countries forms international network of atmospheric radars around the equator.
Figure: International network of atmospheric radars around the equator
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