Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Electronic Geophysical Year, 2007-2008  (eGY)

Outline
The Electronic Geophysical Year (eGY) is planned for 2007-2008 as a 50-year sequel to the highly successful International Geophysical Year. The central objective is to bring the management of geoscientific information worldwide into the 21st century through an e-Science approach and the development of virtual observatories. The challenge in 1957-58 was to acquire and make available to the world community the observational data required to build a comprehensive understanding of the Earth and its processes. That challenge remains and is yet more pressing because of the growing demands we place on our natural resources and environment. Our observational data gathering capabilities have expanded enormously during the past 50 years, particularly through space-based observations. For example, the US National Virtual Observatory will be adding 500 TB of astronomical data per year from 2004. This proliferation of data requires a modern, distributed approach to data management and dissemination. To meet this challenge, we have at our disposal the power of the Internet and grid computing infrastructures for data sharing, processing, and visualization. The eGY concept arose within the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, with support from the Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics, the International Union of Geological Sciences, and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, as a means of providing an international focus for e-Science and virtual observatory development across all the geosciences. It provides a common thread among other global geoscientific initiatives - the 4th International Polar Year, the International Year of Planet Earth, the International Heliophysical Year, and Climate and Weather of the Sun-Earth System. Virtual observatories provide exciting prospects in the geosciences, and are under varying stages of development, for example the Virtual Seismic Network, the Virtual Solar Observatory, and the Virtual Geomagnetic Observatory. It is only a matter of time before virtual observatories are a standard feature across all the discipline areas within the geosciences, and add a new dimension to the role of the World Data Centers.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
eGY will lead to a revolution in geoscientific data availability and access worldwide, and will include outreach and capacity building programs.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
eGY will coordinate activities with major scientific organizations such as the International Council for Science (ICSU), the “Geo-Unions” (IUGG, IUGS, IUSS, IGU, and ISPRS), the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA), SCOSTEP, learned societies such as SEG and AOGS, major scientific agencies such as NASA and ESA, major programs supported by these institutions such as the World Data Centers, the International Year of Planet Earth, the International Heliophysical Year, and the International Polar Year 2007-2008 itself.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
We are not proposing field activities, rather open access, and electronic distribution of data from field and laboratory investigations.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We will build on exiting infrastructure (e.g., National IUGG and CODATA Committees), identify gaps in the infrastrucure, and explore methods to fill these gaps.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
YES! The eGY promotes the distribution and archival of data in well-defined formats with adequate meta data to ensure that the information meeting eGY certification standards will be available for IGY+100.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The eGY has been endorsed in many ways: The US Congress (108, 1st Session, Concurrent Resolution, 189 Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) and supporting an International Geophysical Year-2 (IGY-2) in 2007-08), The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) and the otheer GeoUnions (see above), the seven scientific Associations of IUGG (IAG, IAGA, etc.), the US National Committee for IUGG, the I*Y initiatives (Planet Earth, IHY, CAWSES, and IPY itself), and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists.

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?
eGY currently has a Secretariat in Boulder, CO with a Secretary to oversee day to day operations, a small Executive of key activists, and an eGY Task Force (Team) to share policy and business responsibilities. A Steering-Committee is being established to set policy and establish work goals.. eGY will coordinate with other agencies, bodies, and programs with related goals.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
These plans are in formulation. They are agenda items for the Steering Committee Meeting to be held in Boulder, Colorado 14-15 February, 2005.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The eGY addresses data stewardship issues at the highest level. The eGY shares e-Science objective and promotes free and open exchange of data in well defined electronic formats. The particular themes of eGY are data access, data preservation, data rescue, data discovery, and data release, with emphasis on virtual observatories (laboratories, dictionaries, and so on).

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We are exploring funding opportunities from national agencies, international scientific organizations, NSF, and private donors. Initial funding has been secured from IUGG, IAGA, and SEG (Baird Petrophysics), with in-kind support from participating scientists institutions.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
eGY is conceptualised as an opportunity for the world geoscience community to cooperate in addressing 21st Century data stewardship issues. It provides a common theme for IPY and a host of other initiatives and is truly cross-disciplinary.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr William K (Bill) Peterson
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP)
1234 Innovation Drive
Boulder, Colorado
80303
USA

Tel: 1-303-492-0686
Mobile: n/a
Fax: 1-303-492-6444
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation