| In this dissertation I present the first observations of auroral E-region irregularities using a passive radar system. The Manastash Ridge Radar exploits commercial communications broadcasts to make radar observations. Compared to other contemporary radar techniques, passive radar provides significantly superior performance at a fraction of the cost. I have constructed the first passive radar system for nondefense applications.;I discuss observations of the August 27, 1998 geomagnetic event made using the radar. This event was simultaneously observed using the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) on-board NASA's Polar spacecraft. I make a detailed comparison between the data from the radar and those from UVI. I then compute a lower bound for the current flowing in association with the observed auroral arc by combining data from the two instruments.;I also include the development of a three fluid theory for the E-region irregularities. Finally, I explore future directions in passive radar technology and ionospheric research. |
