Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Dynamics of high-latitude ionosphere disturbances and their influence on the ionosphere of middle and low latitudes  (Ionosphere Disturbances)

Outline
Grounds of the project: The high-latitude ionosphere is a complex system, and its principal peculiarity is the fact that besides the sun illumination there is another source of ionization taking place at these latitudes - the precipitation of particle fluxes. Therefore ionosphere conditions at high latitudes substantially depend on various phenomena in the Earth’s magnetosphere. The dynamic and thermal regimes depend also on electrodynamic processes both in the magnetosphere and inside the ionosphere itself. It has been found that the disturbances caused by solar activity at high latitudes are transferred to the low-latitude ionosphere, however in order to describe this important geophysical process adequately it is necessary to understand the mechanism which provides the propagation of the disturbances along a meridian. According to the ground-based and satellite observations the ionosphere response to the magnetosphere disturbances has a clearly expressed longitudinal dependence. The nature of this dependence is determined by the disagreement between geographic coordinate system to which the parameter distributions of the neutral atmosphere and solar radiation are related and geomagnetic system, where the characteristics distributions of magnetosphere sources are regulated. In the Eastern-Asian longitudinal sector the largest discrepancy of geographic coordinates relative to geomagnetic ones takes place, and formation of a large-scale structure (main ionospheric trough, zone of auroral ionization) proceeds at the background of lowest over the Earth values of electron density. The given project is directed to the solution of the influence mechanism problem of this discrepancy on the development process of ionosphere storm along the Eastern-Asian meridian from auroral to equatorial latitudes. The key question in this problem is the research of mechanisms of ionospheric irregularities formation on a various scale. First of all, for the successful studying of ionosphere storm nature, we need to obtain a clear and authentic picture of the storm development in space and time. The effective solution of this problem is possible only as a result of joint ionosphere observations made by Russian and Chinese scientists. Main objectives of the project: - Getting the global morphological picture of ionosphere disturbances from auroral to equatorial latitudes; - Research into dynamic regime of the ionosphere and upper atmosphere; - Research into mechanisms of formation of irregular ionosphere structure at various latitudes; - Development of numerical global model of ionosphere; - Formation of ionosphere database

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The physical and mathematical modeling of ionospheric processes in polar regions; -Research into their interaction with middle latitude and low-latitude ionospheres and magnetosphere; -Numerical modeling of processes in ionosphere during disturbances; -Obtaining of the experimental data on the state and dynamics of the polar ionosphere, and disturbance propagation in equatorial direction; -Development of the unified system of monitoring on the basis of modernization of actual digital geophysical stations and putting new ones into operation; -Formation of geophysical database.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Joint researches of Russian and Chinese scientific institutions according to coordinated scientific projects and programs are planned.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Investigations will be carried out on the network of stations of Easter-Siberian region and China located within wide vicinity of the geographic meridian 120 E.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: During the IPY period            
Antarctic: During the IPY period            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Satellites, observatories, radars, multi-instrumented platforms, existing field stations, new field stations

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency
Other sources of support

At the expense of internal national funds of institutions-participants

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project has been endorsed by: Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation Organizing Committee on the participation of Russian Federation in preparing and holding of arrangements within the limits of IPY 2007/2008 Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

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 suggests to be realized within the frameworks of the programs of scientific-research works of the Department of Physical Sciences and the Department of Sciences of the Earth; it will essentially complete (in the part of obtaining new experimental data) available in scientific institutions of RAS grants, joint projects, etc. The fulfilled investigations will be important addition to the Program “International Geophysical Year” which is currently discussed and which seems to be accepted; in so doing the time constraints of these programs are the same. Moreover, the results of these investigations will be used for the research on the problem of space weather. Chinese part of the project will be implemented within the framework of the national project "Meridian 120".

How will the project be organised and managed?
The working according to the IPY-2007-2008 Program will be coordinated by Scientific Council of RAS on solar-terrestrial relations (The Sun-Earth Council).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The results of the project will be presented in reports and publications, and they could be used for educational purposes for popularization of newest conceptions of the physical processes in near-Earth space.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The obtained data after their processing and publication of main results can be integrated in International data banks in agreement with countries (institutions) carried out the similar investigations at high latitudes.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project will be financed at the expense of national, bilateral and international budgetary funds as well as funds of other financial sources.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Geliy Zherebtsov
Scientific Council of RAS on Solar-Terrestrial Physics
38/1 Leninsky prospect, Moscow
117334
Russia

Tel: +7(095)1370711
Mobile: +7-902-5-667-880
Fax: +7(095)1376511
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation