ANGEO Annales Geophysicae ANGEO Ann. Geophys. 1432-0576 Springer Verlag Göttingen, Germany 10.1007/s00585-996-1454-z Radar observations of ionospheric irregularities at Syowa Station, Antarctica: a brief overview Ogawa T. 1 Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, Nagoya University, 3-13 Honohara, Toyokawa, Aichi 442, Japanl 31 12 1996 14 12 1454 1461 Copyright: © 1996 T. Ogawa 1996 © European Geosciences Union 1996 This article is available from https://angeo.copernicus.org/articles/14/1454/1996/angeo-14-1454-1996.html The full text article is available as a PDF file from https://angeo.copernicus.org/articles/14/1454/1996/angeo-14-1454-1996.pdf

We briefly overview the radar observations that have been made for 30 years at Syowa Station, Antarctica for studying small-scale electron-density irregularities in the southern high-latitude <i>E</i>- and <i>F</i>-region ionosphere. Some observational results (i.e., long-term variations of radio aurora, Doppler spectra with narrow spectral widths and low Doppler velocities, and simultaneous observations of radar and optical auroras) from VHF radars capable of detecting 1.3- to 3-m scale irregularities are presented. A new 50-MHz radar system equipped with phased-antenna arrays began operation in February 1995 to observe two-dimensional behaviours of <i>E</i>-region irregularities. An HF radar experiment also began in February 1995 to explore decameter-scale <i>E</i>- and <i>F</i>-region irregularities in the auroral zone and polar cap. These two radars will contribute to a better understanding of the ionospheric irregularities and ionospheric physics at southern high latitudes.