The SuperDARN collaboration welcomes requests to run experiments on the radars. These can involve, one, some, or all of the radars, for periods as short as a few hours or as long as several days at a time. The VT SuperDARN Group is willing to help you plan your experiment and to coordinate with our partners. Note that the SuperDARN radars are operated on a schedule that is settled about three months in advance, so it is advisable to submit your request at least this early. (We do have some ability to respond to requests at shorter notice.)

Please contact one of the VT SuperDARN personnel to discuss your idea. A brief email or call will suffice to get started.

To our scientific colleagues - let us know about your research goals and we will gladly iterate with you on possible SuperDARN radar modes.

To all interested parties - in addition to conducting experiments on established research themes, we are open to running non-standard scientific and technical experiments, and these can be proposed by any interested person. Some suggestions:

School group:

• studies the connection between radar echoes from the ionosphere and displays of aurora, working with a school group located farther north where auroral displays are often seen
• studies radar echoes from meteors during a meteor shower
• relates the timing of geospace storm effects in the ionosphere to solar flare events
• observes long-range radio communication using HF

Ham radio enthusiasts:

• test communication links using the radars
• monitor the onset and spread of polar cap absorption (PCA) during geomagnetic storms
• detect the availability of auroral propagation modes

Other:

• a meteorologist looks for disturbances in the upper atmosphere that accompany hurricanes
• an oceanographer maps ocean ice cover in the far north

If you have a fun suggestion, let us know and we will add it to this list!