Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Canadian Facility for Auroral Conjugate Studies at Iqaluit  (CFACS)

Outline
The Sun-Earth System is the only accessible system in the universe where many processes can be probed in great details using various experiments. Our understanding the fundamental processes in the Sun Earth system will go long way towards understanding the universe altogether. Given the size of the Sun - Earth System and given the cost of in-situ measurements, one can only accumulate knowledge over time and try to put together a coherent physical picture. One way to address this problem is to use the atmospheric/ ionospheric measurements as a “road map” to understand the Sun-Earth interaction. The situation becomes more complex when one takes into account the fact that the terrestrial magnetic filed lines have foot prints on both hemispheres and the the atmospheric/ionospheric conditions are different in both hemispheres. This complexity can only be resolved through conjugate observations, since the present satellite configurations and orbits do not allow simultaneous monitoring of both hemispheres. Therefore the only avenue left to us is the ground-based conjugate observations. Presently the only conjugate ground based observations that we are aware of are located Syowa, Antarctica and Trojnes, Iceland, which is also run by National Institute for Polar Research (NIPR), Japan. Therefore through IPY program we are planning to establish a ground based Canadian Auroral Facility for Conjugate Studies (CAFCS). Our proposed research activity involves the following actions 1. Initiate an Auroral conjugacy observatory in Iqualuit, NU, which is conjugate to the South Pole Station in Antarctica. 2. Use auroral conjugate observations to understand the fundamental processes in the Sun-Earth System. Presently, National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), Japan, operates optical and magnetic instruments in South Pole Station in Antactica. The magnetic conjugate point of South Pole station is Iqaluit, Nu, Canada. Iqaluit has immense potential to be developed to become a Canadian Conjugate observatory to South Pole station because, of easy access, academic institutions, and reasonable size community (~ population 6000). During the IPY period we plan to develop a facility for conjugate studies in Canada, which will be first of its kind in Canada. Presently NRCann Geomagnetic Laboratory runs a magnetometer in Iqaluit. As part of the IPY we are planning to install an All Sky Imager, a Meridian Scanning Photomter, and a high data rate (100 Hz) GPS receiver in Iqaluit. We are also planning to put a GPS receiver in South Pole station through NIPR.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Significant advances will be made in the understanding of the solar wind interaction with Earth’s magnetosphere and Earth’s upper atmosphere. Understanding of the interaction will also provide us with the sources of energy input into the Earth’s upper atmosphere and their effects in the global processes such as the circulation pattern. The understanding of the Sun-Earth system will go a long way towards understanding of universe as a whole. The facility will also leave behind a legacy in conducting conjugate experiments.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
1. Prof. N. Sato, National Institute for Polar Research, Japan 2. Dr. Y. Ebihara, National Institute for Polar Research The project will be linked with the ICESTAR project

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
South Pole, Antarctica (89.9oS, 102oW) Iqaluit, Canada (62.45oN, 68.31)

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/07 – 03/09            
Antarctic: 03/07 – 03/09            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We will be using the existing facilities at South Pole and Iqaluit We will be seeking funding for the instruments from NSERC

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes. The project will leave the instruments and the facility for future and continuing research.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This project is a part of the international project ICESTAR (IPY EOI No. 554). We are submitting this proposal for National endorsement

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

We are planning to submit a proposal for a broader array of instruments to a different agency. This plan is part of the broader plan.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project will be organised and managed by University of New Brunswick. The instruments will be housed at the NRCan facility at Iqaluit. Antarctica GPS system will be maintained by NIPR, Japan. Data collected through this project will be made available to the world community through ICESTAR program.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We are planning to have educational presentations as well as demonstrate the capability of the conjugate network. at the University, and at Nunavut Institute For Research. We are also planning to involve the Nunavut College students.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data from this project will be collected and archived at UNB, and NIPR. Data will be made available to the International community through web based access and distribution system. We will be providing the data to the ICESTAR project and the international data centre for Aurora.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We are planning to apply for funds to NSERC for the equipment and manpower support.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This project is part of the international IPY project ICESTAR (IPY EOI No. 554). We have already received endorsement from the Co-chair of the ICESTAR programme.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. (Assistant Professor) Thayyil Jayachandran
University of New Brunswick
Department of Physics
8 Bailey Drive, Fredericton
E3B 5A3
Canada

Tel: 506-447-3330
Mobile: no
Fax: 506-453-4581
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation