Cornell's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences has received $7.5 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the continuing support of the Jicamarca Radio Observatory near Lima, Peru.

The award, which represents a five-year continuation of the longstanding cooperative agreement between Cornell and the NSF to operate the observatory for the Geophysical Institute of Peru, will support research aimed at understanding the chemistry and dynamics in the equatorial ionosphere (upper atmosphere) through radar and optical observations. David Hysell, professor of earth and atmospheric sciences, is lead investigator for the project.

Jicamarca is used to monitor atmospheric and ionospheric conditions, and to study stormlike phenomena associated with space weather events that begin as disturbances on the sun and generate intense waves and turbulence in the ionosphere. This turbulence has the ability to disrupt satellite-based communications and navigation systems and interfere with ground-based radar and other technologies.

Researchers also use the observatory to study ionospheric irregularities caused by sudden stratospheric warming events -- meteorological events that occur regularly at polar latitudes and can alter circulation throughout the upper atmosphere -- and to detect meteoroids that could pose a threat to space vehicles and the International Space Station.