Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Rocket Investigation of the Steady-State Outer Belt/Atmosphere Collision  (Study of the Collision of the Outer Belt with the Atmosphere)

Outline
Data from low-altitude satellites have been compared to a calculation of the equatorial pitch angle vs.E.Longitude of trapped electrons mirroring at 100kmat L=4. This comparison leads to the conclusion that almost all outer belt electrons collide with the atmosphere above the Weddell Sea in Antarctica. The location of this interaction is due to the anomalous nature of the geomagnetic field. Since most of the electron energy of the outer belt is dumped in this localized region, there are significant local perturbations to the energy input and the chemistry of the upper mesosphere. Observations of this inter-action have been mad only three times, with rocket-boosted, parachute-deployed payloads launched at Siple Station, Antarctica. This location was not ideal, since it was just at the edge of the interaction region; also the pay-loads were so rudimentary that they were able to observe only that the outer belt was colliding with the atmosphere. More sophisticated payloads are needed to properly investigate this phenomenon above, in, and below the interaction region: the energy spectra, fluxes, and angular distribution of electrons and X rays, ambient electric fields and their variations, plasma conditions (electron and ion densities), and the distribution of atmospheric species vs. altitude. All of the detectors needed for this project have been developed and flown on rockets, with the exception of the electron/ X ray detector we plan to develop in 2005. An optimum location for the rocket flights is the British Antarctic Survey(BAS) research station at Halley Bay on the shore of the Weddell Sea. Discussions with BAS personnel have indicated interest in the project and capability to provide the needed logistic support. Discussions with NASA rocket vehicle personnel and BAS/NASA inter-actions indicate that the proposed project can be accomplished with equipment, facilities, and personnel in service at this time. The project would be an outstanding example of international cooperation in polar research.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
An unexplored region of the Earth's atmosphere would be investigated, and greater understanding of the magnetosphere would be gained. The collision of the outer belt with the atmosphere is probably the largest transfer of non-photonic energy to Earth in the Sun-Earth system. It would address an outstanding question in the NASA Living with a Star program: the loss of outer belt electrons in the atmosphere at L=4.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project would require substantial logistic support by BAS, working closely with NASA rocket vehicle personnel. Discussions indicate that the project is feasible with existing logistic capability. Also, Canadian and Russian colleagues have expressed interest in a riometer campaign in the northern conjugate region during the time of the rocket flights.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Halley Bay, Antarctica

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 12/07-01/08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Existing facilities at Halley Base would be used to house and feed the rocket field team. Rocket launching equipment and a telemetry station (NASA equipment) would be returned to the U.S .after the campaign.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
It would leave a large intellectual legacy, but no physical infrastructure Our University of Houston(UH) research group has participated in many rocket and balloon campaigns at remote locations, including several in Antarctica. Thus, we are capable of conducting the proposed project.

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

Our University of Houston (UH) research group has participated in many rocket and balloon campaigns at remote locations, including several in Antarctica. Thus, we are capable f conducting the proposed project.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No, but it has been discussed with colleagues involved with the IPY.

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 new, but would involve a team of investigators with a lot of experience in field campaigns with rockets.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Our UH group would serve as the project management team, working closely with BAS and NASA personnel. The payload integration would be done at the University of Texas at Dallas to profit from their years of experience in this regard. The PI's of the several detector components would act as the steering committee to oversee the various phases of the project, including data handling and distribution.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The EOC aspects of the project would be handled by the detector PI's with the assistance of the Public Relations offices of their universities and of the the other organizsations involved in the project: BAS and NASA.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The steering committee of detector PI's will develop a data management plan that complies with IPY guidelines.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
NASA and NSF should provide funding for the U.S. participation in the project. BAS personnel have indicated that the substantial contribution of BAS logistic capability would be provided as their contribution to the collaboration.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The proposed project would be an ideal flagship project for the IPY. It is an investigation of a large and important, and uniquely polar phenomenon, with worldwide implications that has not been studied previously. It is a challenging project, as Antarctic rocket campaigns always are, and involves serious international cooperation. The Joint Committee of the IPY should be pleased and proud to endorse this project.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof William Sheldon
Physics Department
University of Houston
Houston, TX
77204-5005
USA

Tel: 713 7433544
Mobile: no
Fax: 712 7433589
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation