Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Investigation of the role of the arctic middle and upper atmosphere in global environmental change  (Role of the arctic atmosphere in global change)

Outline
Effects of global climate change are expected to be enhanced in the polar region, particularly in the arctic region. The arctic research community in Japan has organized a consortium of universities and institutes and is making a new project named Japan Arctic Monitoring and Process study (JAMP). This project covers three subjects: 1.Investigation of the climate system in the arctic and circumpolar region 2.Prediction of future climate change 3.Controlling of human-induced global warming This study aims to investigate the role of the arctic middle and upper atmosphere in global environmental change as one of the JAMP subprojects. The arctic region plays an important role in the global climate system because the global warming is amplified in this region through complex feedback processes among the atmosphere, land, and ocean. The following 4 subprojects are planned: 1)Measurements of trace species in the arctic region with a Fourier transform spectrometer We carry out FTIR measurements at Irkutsk, Siberia to investigate chemical ozone depletion in the arctic region and to estimate the emission of greenhouse gases and trace species emitted from forest fires. 2)Studies of thermospheric/ionospheric variations using radar network data in the arctic region We investigate the energy input to thermosphere/ionosphere originated from the solar wind and the energy transfer processes using the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) and the European incoherent scatter radar (EISCAT). 3)Studies of magnetospheric and ionospheric variations using auroral imaging data We investigate the coupling process between the solar wind, magnetosphere, and ionosphere using quasi-corotating aurora (QCA) data collected by all-sky imagers which are set up and operated at Poker Flat, Alaska by National Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Japan. 4) Measurements of sprites in Scandinavia We investigate activities of sprites in the circumpolar region and their impact on the global climate system with coordinated ground-satellite observations: optical and ELF/VLF measurements at Kiruna, and optical measurements with the ISUAL instrument on board the ROCSAT-2 satellite.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Effects of global climate change are expected to be enhanced in the polar region, particularly the arctic region. This study will investigate the role of the arctic middle and upper atmosphere in global environmental change and contribute to further understanding of the global climate system.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
FTIR measurements are carried out in cooperation with the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Russia. All-sky imager measurements are performed in cooperation with the International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska, U. S. A. The ROCSAT-2/ISUAL instrument was developed by a collaboration of National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, University of California, Berkeley in U. S. A., and Tohoku University in Japan.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
FTIR measurements performed at Irkutsk, Siberia. EISCAT and SuperDARN measurements are preformed at Kiruna, Svalbard, Alaska, etc. All-sky imagers measurements are performed at Fairbanks, Alaska. Sprites and ELF measurements are performed at Kiruna in Sweden, Syowa in the Antarctic, and Onagawa in Japan.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: FTIR 08/06 – 02/09      Radar/all-sky imager/sprites 03/05 – 03/09      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
New field station at Irkutsk will be served by the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Russia. It may not be shared. Existing field stations: Kiruna, Syowa, Onagawa, Fairbanks Radars: Kiruna, Svalbard, Alaska, Tromsø, Iceland Satellite: ROCSAT-2 These existing facilities are shared.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
A FTIR station will be closed after the end of this project. Sprite stations will be operated as long as we have funds for them.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This project is endorsed by the IPY 2007-2008 Japanese National Committee, Science Council of Japan.

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?
Expansion
FTIR measurements: New Project Radar measurements: Existing plan All-sky Imager measurements: Existing plan Sprites measurements: Existing and planning programmes

How will the project be organised and managed?
FTIR operation is jointly organized by Tohoku University and the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Russia. Radar network operation is organized by the superDARN Executive Council and the EISCAT Scientific Association. All-sky Imager operation is jointly organized by National Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Japan and the International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska. Sprite optical site operation is jointly organized by Tohoku University, University of California, Berkley, and the National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Many graduate students will take part in the project for Master’s or Ph. D degrees in the project period. The summary plots of the obtained data and outline of the project will be presented through the Internet not only for researchers but also teachers and students.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
FTIR data will be submitted to the DHF of the Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC). We get the radar and all-sky imagers data via internet. Sprite data will be put on homepages within one year after measurements.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We will have some proposals to Japan Society for the Promotion of Science to fund the project.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Hiroshi Fukunishi
Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
Aramaki-Aoba 6-3
Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi
Miyagi 980-8578
Japan

Tel: +81-22-217-6734
Mobile:
Fax: +81-22-217-5775
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information