Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Greenland IPY 2007 Space Science Symposium on the Coupled Geospace System  (Greenland IPY Space Science Symposium)

Outline
The IPY 2007-2008 is being promoted with the goal to benefit society by exploring new frontiers and increasing our understanding of the key roles of the polar regions in globally linked systems. Global linkages on all scales is one of the IPY 2007-2008 research themes. A major challenge facing environmental science and policy is understanding the interactions between, and collective behavior of, the many component parts of the Earth System. Geospace is an integral part of the Earth System, providing the material link between the Sun and Earth, primarily through the polar regions. Greenland has a history rich in using dense arrays of scientific instruments to provide a window into the geospace system. The Earth’s magnetic field focuses the effects of geospace into the polar regions thus giving Greenland a privileged position to remotely sense the vast geospace region. For example, IPY 2007-2008 marks the 35 year anniversary of the deployment of the coastal magnetometer chains that have provided an extraordinary collection of results to develop our understanding of the high latitude electrodynamics. The IPY 2007-2008 also marks the 30 year anniversary of the International Magnetospheric Study where Greenland data provided a significant contribution. It is the 25 year anniversary of the move of the incoherent scatter radar from Chatinika, Alaska to Kangersussuaq, and it is the 20 year anniversary of the planning to place autonomous magnetometers on the Greenland Ice Cap. To celebrate this rich history of space science investigation in Greenland, to assess our present understanding of the coupled Sun-Earth system and to develop a vision of a collaborative, integrated research strategy focused upon the coupled solar-terrestrial system, we propose the Greenland IPY 2007 Space Science Symposium on the Coupled Geospace System. We believe that the science sessions will include some very interesting historical reviews of early Greenland research efforts and more topical research reviews suitable for students and educational outreach. Cutting edge research results focused on solar wind – magnetosphere interactions, and atmosphere - ionosphere – magnetosphere interactions, including theory, computation, and data exploration will also be solicited. It will also be important to look to the future of new measurement programs, and the ability to assemble and investigate global arrays of data, particularly from both hemispheres. The new polar cap radar (Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar – AMISR) should be undergoing initial operations. New arrays of measurements are planned for the Antarctic described in the ICESTR (Interhemispheric Conjugacy Effects in Solar-Terrestrial and Aeronomy Research) Program promoted by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). The planned arrays in the Western Antarctic have been designed to provide excellent conjugacy with the Greenland instrument arrays. Thus, it will be possible to undertake truly global investigations of the electrodynamic and plasmadynamic Geospace system.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Develop a vision and integrated research strategy focused upon the coupled solar-terrestrial system. This will include a research strategy to facilitate the combining of global data sets from both hemispheres for use in data analysis, and global computer simulations of the electrodynamic and plasmadynamic geospace system.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The Greenland IPY 2007 Space Science Symposium will be organized by colleagues from the Danish Meteorological Institute, Danish Space Center, Danish Polar Center, and U. S. Scientists from several universities and laboratories. Sponsor ship may be provided by Danish Institutes and we will be seeking support from the National Science Foundation, Air Force Office of Scientific Research in the U.S. More international participation is anticipated as we plan sessions on global and interhemispheric coupling in the solar wind - magnetosphere - ionosphere system.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 5 days between 04/01/07 - 05/3            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Kangerlussuaq Conference Center and various hotel facilities, Air National Guard transport between Scotia, NY and Kangerlussuaq, Greenland for U.S. participants.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Proceedings of the Symposium

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency
Military support
Commercial operator

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No

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?
New

How will the project be organised and managed?
There is a Steering Committee. Under this is a Program Committee and Local Organizing Committee. There is also a Socal and Educational Outreach committee.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We plan to invite government science administrators from the Greenland Home Rule government, U. S. congressional science committees, Danish science administrators. We will also seek funding for student participation and there should be several tutorial presentations.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
We hope to advertise a WEB portal to global data sets, and to increase the participation of data holders to make data available through this WEB portal. This will give the science investigator a "1 stop shopping" access to data and provide him with uniform formats of his choice

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We will seek support from the U. S. National Science Foundation, NASA, and DOE, as well as the Danish Space Center, and Danish Meteorological Institute.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr C. Robert Clauer
University of Michigan, Center for Space Environment Modeling
2455 Hayward
Ann Arbor, MI
48109-2143
USA

Tel: 734-763-6248
Mobile:
Fax:
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information