Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Synergetic observations of dynamics-chemistry-electrodynamics in the arctic middle and upper atmosphere over Alaska  (Alaska Project)

Outline
In the last decade a synergetic observing system of middle and upper atmosphere has been developed, being located centered in Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska,to investigate dynamics-chemistry-electrodynamics in the arctic upper air of the Alaskan sector. The observing system includes experiments of atmospheric dynamics (Rayleigh and Na lidars, Fabry-Perot interferometers [FPI], monochromatic CCD imagers, MF radar), atmospheric chemistry/aerosol (FTIR, millimeter-wave radiometer, multi-wavelength lidar), and auroral particle precipitations and electrodynamics (imagers, FPIs, imaging riometer, SuperDARN HF radars). Targets of this study include; auroral precipitation/energy distribution and effects to the atmosphere, auroral impacts to the middle atmosphere ozone and further to middle atmosphere temperature, variation of the polar vortex and atmospheric waves, variation of the mesospheric circulation and relation to the stratosphere and troposphere. One of this study’s focuses are the atmospheric processes in context of the Sun-Earth system, especially effects of solar variation to the polar atmosphere processes. Along with the scientific observations, an information technology approach has been employed for effective use and distribution of data observed in Alaska; an data information/network system has been developed, called “SALMON (System for Alaska Middle Atmosphere Observation Data Network)” using a high-speed computer network in cooperation with Geophysical Institute and Arctic Region Supercomputing Center of University of Alaska Fairbanks, and international network research programs (APAN, TransPAC, etc).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
A unique aspect of this program is that the activity has grown with joint efforts of space scientists and atmospheric scientists. 10-years ago, when the first small portion of the activity was initiated, some of the major targets of the program was so minority in international communities of related science, such as the coupling of the atmosphere with the space plasma (ionosphere and magnetosphere) as well as effects to the atmosphere from solar activity/variability. Nowadays solar effects to the atmosphere is one of major streams of international space/atmospheric physics as well as climate change.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This program has been promoted and has been operated jointly in collaboration of Japan and USA primarily, involving other collaborators in Canada, Australia, Norway, and Grermany. Most of those joint activity is expected to continue for the IPY time frame.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The primary site of the program activity is Poker Flat, Alaska (~147W, 65N). Some other sites in Alaska will cooperate closely such as Eagle (Fabry Perot interferometer), and King Salmon (SuperDARN HF radar).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Continuous operation in principle; FTS, and imagers are operating except for May-Aug., solar observation with FTIR is running except for Nov.-Jan.            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Major facilities of this activity are: MF (medium frequency) radar, HF radar (one of elements of the SuperDARN [Dual Auroral Radar Network] network), FPI (Fabry Perot interferometer), ASI (high-sensitivity monochromatic CCD imagers), Rayleigh, Rayleigh-Doppler and multiwavelength lidars, ground-based millimieter-wave radiometer, 256-array imaging riometer, FTS (Fourie Transform Infrared Spectrometer).

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Some of the facilities in the preceding item, especially large instruments will likely operate at the original sites in Alaska.

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

Ministry of Telecommunications of Japan has been funded this program for 10 years. Although the size of financial support is expected to be smaller than that of the past, the activity will be possibly supported by the ministry even in the IPY2007-2008

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This project has been accepted by the “Japanese Committee of International Arctic Research Center” (the committee name is being reviewed for change to widen the perspective), as the middle atmosphere research project within the Japan’s national proposal of JAMP (Japan Arctic Monitoring and Process Study).

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 is a continued part of the currently running Japan-US joint research project of Global Environment using advanced electromagnetic technology (“Alaska Project”).

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project has been run jointly with Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (formerly Communications Research Lab.) and Geophysical Institute of University of Alaska Fairbanks.The past portion of the project has been managed under the financial commitment by Japan’s Ministry of Telecommunications since 1993 to present. Now domestic funding structure is being changed in Japan to reflect the individual project’s perspective more and more. The most major part of the Ministry will end in 2006, but smaller financial support will be almost promising after that.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Data of the Alaska observations have been archived, processed and can be displayed on WWW, through our data network system “SALMON”. Even this year the on-line data are used in training courses of high-school teachers, and classes of high schools in Japan. For IPY more educational activity may be expected.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
A prototype of the data-network/information system has been developed (still being developed for more function), called “SALMON” (salmon.nict.go.jp), where the data obtained in the project are in principle acquired, stored, processed and archived automatically and on a real-time basis, to be available on WWW for public.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Basic funding for instrument operation is anticipated through Ministry of Telecommunications of Japan. Also effort will be made to get award of Japanese science grant “Kakenhi” (MEXT; Minstry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology of Japan), .

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Yasuhiro Murayama
National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
4-2-1 Nukui-kita, Koganei
Tokyo
184-8795
Japan

Tel: 81-423-27-6685
Mobile: no
Fax: 81-423-27-6678
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation