Influence of ionospheric electron density fluctuations on satellite radar interferometry

Evidence is presented that auroral zone ionospheric disturbances can influence satellite radar interferometry (SRI) obtained with the RADARSAT, ERS and JERS-1 satellites. Fluctuations in ionospheric electron density can lead to an azimuth shift modulation in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, which can be detected using SRI. Measurements of azimuth shift in SRI can help to differentiate ionospheric from tropospheric propagation problems, and to understand better the impact of the ionosphere on spaceborne SAR. Further, SRI azimuth shift modulation may be useful in mapping patterns of polar auroral zone ionospheric disturbances over large distances.