About the Airglow & Irregularities Research Group

Welcome!  This is the website for the research group headed by Prof. Jonathan Makela in the remote sensing and space sciences group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We focus on understanding the dynamics of the ionosphere using a combination of optical and radio techniques. This is accomplished through instrument development, experimental campaigns, and data analysis. Our group is part of the Remote Sensing & Space Science group in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. We are always looking for students interested in becoming involved in our research, especially those with a background in signal/image processing, plasma physics, or optical/radio instrument design.

Our research takes us all around the world. We are currently conducting experiments on two continents, with funding to set up sites at additional locations in the near future. See the map below for our past, current, and future locations.

In the Media

Tsunami airglow signature

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 - 20:32

The Coordinated Science Laboratory and ECE Illinois are featuring an article highlighting recent observations by our group of the airglow signature caused by the recent tsunami in the Pacific Ocean.

Jonathan Makela is a "Leading Expert"

Saturday, September 4, 2010 - 00:00

An interview with Prof. Makela, part of ECE Illinois' "Leading Expert" series, has been published on the ECE Illinois website.

Prof. Makela interviewed for Dr. Everitt's Neighborhood

Thursday, May 20, 2010 - 16:02

An interview with Prof. Makela is included in the Spring 2010 edition of Dr. Everitt's Neighborhood, a publication of ECE Illinois' Eta Kappa Nu (the Electrical and Computer Engineering honors society).  The interview begins on page 21 of the linked PDF.

RENOIR Featured by ECE and CSL

Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 09:42

The Coordinated Science Laboratory has written an article on our group's work in Brazil setting up the RENOIR stations there. This story was also picked up by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Makela receives teaching award

Saturday, May 9, 2009 - 00:33

Prof. Makela has received the 2009 ECE Ronald W. Pratt award for outstanding teaching in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Read more...

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