Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Multi-Scale Plasma Exploration:A programme to study the fundamental plasma physical processes which mediate energy flow in the solar-terrestrial system, and they ways in which these processes couple together.  (MULTIPLEX (Multi-Scale Plasma Exploration))

Outline
Energy transport in the solar-terrestrial system is mediated by a large number of fundamental plasma physical processes. Many are not well understood, because the underlying physics is complex, involving non-linearity, turbulence and multiple The polar cap and the surrounding auroral oval are unique areas in the geospace environment, since the polar cap geomagnetic field lines are directly connected to the solar wind and the field lines of the auroral oval map to a large portion of the magnetosphere. Therefore, observing platforms at polar latitudes are of key importance for the studies of the energy flow in the polar upper atmosphere. Energy transport in the solar-terrestrial system is mediated by a large number of fundamental plasma physical processes. Many are not well understood, because the underlying physics is complex, involving non-linearity, turbulence and multiple feedback mechanisms. Examples of such processes include magnetic reconnection, anomalous transport, wave-particle acceleration and irregularity generation. For the quantitative understanding of energy flow, leading to true predictability, it is necessary to secure detailed measurements, using an approach where individual processes can be isolated and investigated in a much more controlled manner than hitherto. A key approach to studying such processes from the ground is to use active experimental techniques working with ionospheric modification facilities such as SPEAR on Svalbard, the EISCAT Heater in Tromso and the HAARP facility in Alaska. In addition, studies of naturally occurring processes such as the structure and dynamics of auroral arcs, proton aurora, ionosphere-thermosphere interactions, ion outflow and non-Maxwellian plasmas are of critical importance to understanding the complex coupling and feedback mechanisms which exist in the solar-terrestrial system. Existing and planned spacecraft missions (such as Cluster and IMAGE) and ground-based radar networks, such as EISCAT, ESR, SUPERDARN and the global ISR network, need to be exploited, ensuring an improved synthesis of data with state-of-the-art models, so that real data can be used to test and refine model predictions. For the IPY period, we are proposing a mixture of continuous monitoring activities, together with specific targeted campaigns using a variety of observing techniques, including ground-based support for rockets and satellite conjunctions. Many of the major missions and facilities whose data would be used in this study already exist, and it is hoped that these will be supplemented by a range of smaller new diagnostics, funded by proposals already submitted to the relevant UK research council (PPARC).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
• Observations will quantify temporal and spatial variability of energy deposition in the polar atmosphere in unprecedented detail (Theme 1). • Data will be assimilated into models, improving model predictions (Theme 2) • MULTIPLEX will improve understanding of high-latitude energy deposition processes and the global-scale energy budget (Theme 3) • MULTIPLEX will exploit the magnetic conjugacy between polar regions and key boundaries in the geospace plasma system to study poorly-understood plasma processes affecting energy flow at these boundaries (Themes 4 and 5). • Instruments established for the MULTIPLEX programme will still be functioning many years after IPY (Objective 3).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The MULTIPLEX programme is closely linked to the international SCOSTEP CAWSES programme, and to other activities such as the LTCS study of thermospheric coupling and the internationally co-ordinated global incoherent scatter observing intervals. The study uses many of the same facilities as the DEEVERT programme, also submitted as an EoI.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Key locations for ground-based observations are Svalbard (ESR, SPEAR and optical instruments) and northern Scandinavia (EISCAT, riometers, magnetometers and imagers). We will also co-ordinate with similar observing programmes in the US sector (using instruments in Greenland and Canada) and in Antarctica.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: EISCAT Svalbard Radar: 2006 - 2011. UK SPEAR facility: 2006 – 2011      EISCAT Tromso Radar: 2006 – 2011 EISCAT HF Heater: 2006 – 2011      Scandinavian Instruments: 2006- 2011
Antarctic: Antarctic Instruments: 2006 - 2011            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The major facilities (EISCAT, ESR, HF heaters) are already in place. A bid for additional instruments (mainly networks of smaller diagnostics) has been submitted to PPARC. International partners will also provide instruments. Some facilities will be shared with the DEEVERT study, also submitted as an EoI for the IPY.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The larger instruments needed for the MULTIPLEX programme have lifetimes on the order of decades, and hence will continue to be available long after the IPY is complete. We also aim to keep the smaller ground-based instruments available for several years beyond the IPY, subject to funding status.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Other sources of support

Instruments such as the EISCAT and ESR radars are funded by an international consortium of research councils. Smaller instruments, including the SPEAR facility, are solely UK-funded (by PPARC). We will also include instruments such as imagers and magnetometer networks, funded by the national agencies of other countries.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No. The timescales of the UK planning process are such that the national committee has not yet been fully established. The MULTIPLEX proposal will therefore be submitted to the UK IPY committee shortly after its submission as an EoI.

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
MULTIPLEX is a new project because, while the facilities have been operating for some time, they have not previously been co-ordinated in this way. However, although its aims are consistent with IPY, MULTIPLEX was not specifically originated as an IPY activity, so could also be regarded as an existing plan.

How will the project be organised and managed?
A MULTIPLEX-IPY steering group will be formed, consisting of the collaborators named below and other international partners. Within the UK, MULTIPLEX will be run as a PPARC programme, with the STP National Facilities Committee acting as a UK Steering Group. Membership of the steering groups will include scientists involved in the complementary DEEVERT initiative, and we will ensure that both Arctic and Antarctic instruments are fully represented. Wider co-ordination of MULTIPLEX with related international activities will be obtained by involvement with programmes such as CAWSES and E-STAR.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We will establish a web-site to co-ordinate and publicise MULTIPLEX activities, which will feed in to the overall IPY outreach activity. In addition, we will provide input from the MULTIPLEX programme into existing UK research council procedures for expanding the public understanding of science.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
All MULTIPLEX data will be archived in established data centres, most notably the UK Solar System Data Centre (UKSSDC) at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Funds to facilitate the necessary data archiving have been requested from PPARC as part of the overall bid for the MULTIPLEX initiative.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
EISCAT is already funded by international subscription. Bids for the remaining UK funding have been submitted to PPARC, and the outcome will be known in spring 2005. It is anticipated that collaborators from Sweden, Norway and Finland will also provide instruments, funded by their own national agencies.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The MULTIPLEX and DEEVERT programmes (both proposed as EoIs to the IPY) were proposed to the UK research councils (PPARC and NERC) as a co-ordinated package. A decision on whether these programs will be funded is expected in spring 2005, when the results of a major UK government spending review will be known in detail.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Ian McRea
Science And Technology Department. Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Chilton
Oxfordshire
OX11 0QX
UK

Tel: 44-1235-446513
Mobile: 44-7768-224236
Fax: 44-1235-445848
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information