Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Incoherent Scatter Monitoring of the Polar Atmosphere  (Incoherent Scatter Polar Atmosphere Monitoring ISPAM)

Outline
Incoherent scatter radars provide uniquely detailed data on the atmosphere and ionosphere between altitudes of about 80 and 1500km. Incoherent scatter radars measure profiles of the density, temperature, and temperatures of the ionosphere directly, and an extensive range of parameters describing both the ionised and neutral components of the atmosphere, as well remote sensing of the terrestrial magnetosphere, can be further derived. While these instruments are the most powerful ground-based facilities available for this purpose, they have traditionally only been operated for relatively restricted intervals. In this activity, we intend to coordinate the activities of the Worlds ten incoherent scatter radar sites, and particularly the high latitude radar sites in Scandinavia, Greenland, New England, and northern Canada - under construction - to ensure that these facilities operate during as much of the IPY as possible. Some radars will be able to run essentially continuously but we plan to ensure the availability of incoherent scatter radar data from at least one of the high-latitude radar sites throughout the entire interval. The result will be the most extensive, and most detailed, dataset describing the polar atmosphere ever collected and it will be invaluable for the purposes of monitoring, modelling, and basic scientific research.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This initiative will produce a unique, continuous, high quality data set applicable to a wide variety of basic polar research, as well as modelling and forecasting activities related to the terrestrial effects of solar and solar wind events.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
EISCAT Scientific Association - presently includes Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Also radars funded by the USA in Greenland and northern Canada. Other radars funded by the USA, Japan, Russia, and the Ukraine.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The radars involved are located in the arctic regions of Scandinavia - in Norway, including Svalbard, Sweden, and Finland - in Greenland, and in northern Canada - Cornwallis Island, under construction. Other radars, which are located at lower latitudes, will also be involved.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/2007      01/2008      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Existing incoherent scatter radars at EISCAT - Scandinavia - at Sondrestromfjord/Kangerlussuaq - Greenland - and at Resolute Bay - northern Canada, under construction.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Improved cooperative structures, data distribution, and data assimilation systems and tools.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Supported by URSI Incoherent Scatter Working Group - ISWG.

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?
Exp

How will the project be organised and managed?
Organised under the auspices of the URSI ISWG, particularly involving the high-latitude radar group and supplemented by further agreements between the individual radar groups.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Continuously available, high quality, fully processed data available through publicly accessible web-sites. Work packages suitable for schools proposed for monitoring the terrestrial effects of solar coronal mass ejections, solar wind events, and geomagnetic storms.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will initially be distributed through an existing distributed, web-based, data system currently used by a number of the radars and connected to existing databases including NCAR - USA - and the Centre de Données de la Physique des Plasmas - France.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The various radars are already funded for normal operations and additional funds will be sought to support the increased costs associated with quasi-continuous operations.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Anthony van Eyken
EISCAT Scientific Association
PO Box 164
Kiruna
SE 981 23
Sweden

Tel: +46 980 78703
Mobile: +46 70 321 7 321
Fax: +46 980 78709
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation