Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Existence and charged state of meteoric smoke particles in the middle atmosphere  (ECOMA)

Outline
We plan to launch 3 rockets in 2007 and 2 in 2008 from Andøya Rocket Range in Northern Norway into the polar mesosphere, to measure the occurrence of dust and aerosol particles. The in situ measurements will be augmented with simultaneous ground based measurements by radar and lidar instruments (EISCAT and ALOMAR), thus exploiting the unique set of research facilities in northern Norway that has been established over the last years. The mesosphere, roughly the 50-100 km altitude range, is perhaps the least understood part of the Earth's atmosphere, mostly due to its inaccessibility by aircraft, balloons, and satellites, so that sounding rockets are the only means by which we can obtain in situ data. Many fundamental processes are therefore poorly understood. In addition, the middle atmosphere can be a sensitive indicator of climate change, making it imperative to understand this region better. This campaign aims to improve our understanding of the formation of ice particles in the mesosphere. These particles cause phenomena such as noctilucent clouds (NLC) and polar mesosphere summer echoes (PMSE; strong radar echoes from the mesopause region, 80-90 km altitude). More specifically, we aim to detect, for the first time, smoke particles of meteoric origin, and thus to prove, or disprove, whether meteor showers produce the condensation nuclei of the ice particles. The size and height distribution of these particles, the temperature structure important for the nucleation process, and the impact of turbulence, gravity waves, and plasma processes will also be studied. The goal is to obtain a better understanding of the dynamics of and of the interactions between the polar ionosphere and neutral atmosphere. Depending on whether smoke particles sediment to the troposphere without being destroyed by chemical processes, they may also influence the formation of tropospheric cloud particles and thus the cloud albedo, which can affect the climate. The main goals are: · Determine the occurrence frequency and height distribution of meteoric smoke particles in the upper mesosphere. · Determine the charge state of the meteoric smoke particles and the associated mechanism by which they get charged. · Establish whether or not mesospheric ice particles are formed through ice condensation on meteoric smoke particles. · Determine the change in smoke particle concentration and height distribution as a consequence of changes in the flux of incoming meteors.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project contributes to the understanding of polar atmospheric phenomena as NLC and PMSE by investigating their formation mechanisms (Theme 1 and 5). The first ever in-situ measurements of meteoric smoke particles will be made during the project (Theme 4).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), Norway – A. Brattli Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP), Germany – M. Rapp Department of Meteorology at Stockholm University (MISU), Sweden – J. Gumbel Graz University of Technology (TUG), Austria – M. Friedrich

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Three payloads launched in 2007 and two in 2008 from Andøya Rocket Range, Norway. Alomar radars + lidars at Andøya and EISCAT will be used.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: November 2007      June 2008      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Utilizing rocket payloads already being developed. Using existing launch facilities at Andøya, Norway. Using existing observatories like ALOMAR and EISCAT.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No physical infrastructure, but development of scientific instrumentation for middle atmospheric research.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency
Own support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - IAP have received funding from the DLR (German Aerospace Center) A copy of this EOI has been sent to the Norwegian Polar Year committee

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes
The project is self standing, although it is a part of an ongoing activity to study smallscale structures in the polar middle atmosphere.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed by personnel from IAP and FFI as joint effort. IAP – P.I. and main scientific instrument. FFI – payload structure and plasma instruments. MISU and TUG – supporting scientific instruments.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
PhD students and post-doc positions associated with the project. The project will be presented on the internet and news media will be invited during launch campaigns. Results from the project will be published in scientific journals and presented at international conferences.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Calibrated data will be made available from a project web site.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Nationally funded - funding already secured in Germany by IAP

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Alvin Brattli
Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI)
P.O. Box 25
NO-2027 Kjeller
Norway

Tel: +47 63 80 72 40
Mobile:
Fax: +47 63 80 72 12
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information