D region meteoric smoke and neutral temperature retrieval using the poker flat incoherent scatter radar

Summary form only given. This presentation describes the first measurement of the microphysical properties and variability of meteoric smoke particles (MSPs) at high latitude using the Poker Flat ISR (65.1N, 147.5W). In addition, we present a novel technique for determining height resolved daytime D region neutral temperatures, which takes into account the presence of charged dust. We discuss the temporal/spatial variability and the relation to meteoric input observed and MSP microphysical properties in the polar mesopause region. Further investigation and multi-site measurements in conjunction with global models and neutral wind measurements are required to assess the relative contribution from transport versus local production. This work provides a template for potential use at many other radar sites for the determination of microphysical properties of MSPs and day-time neutral temperature in the D region that show good general agreement with other temperature data during the observing period.