A short history of geophysical radar at Arecibo Observatory

摘要

As Arecibo Observatory (AO) approaches its 50th anniversary, it isappropriate to review the many radars and ionospheric heaters that have beendeployed on or near the 305 m dish and to summarize some of the innovativeradar-based geophysical research that has resulted. The reasons William E.(Bill) Gordon developed the 305 m Arecibo dish are well known but arebriefly reviewed. The early and then more recent radar/feed designs arereviewed as geophysical uses of Arecibo have evolved and as the fullpotential of the dish and nearby facilities was and is being realized fromHF through S-band frequencies. This history surely has some gaps and thereare a few mysteries. The community is encouraged to fill these gaps and tohelp complete the history.