Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Complex investigations of the dynamics of the Earth’s magnetosphere and geomagnetic activity using space-borne and ground-based measurements.  (Magnetosphere)

Outline
Grounds Polar and subpolar regions are most influenced by corpuscular and electromagnetic factors. These effects cause such phenomena as geomagnetic disturbances, polar optical and radioauroras, etc., which have substantial influence on operating of complex technical constructions (power lines, pipelines, automatic block systems) reliability of ground-based and space-borne electronic facilities of different functions, various systems of communication, navigation, direction-finding, etc. The influence of geomagnetic disturbances on health is evident. The observable magnetospheric and ionospheric effects depend on characteristics of solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field which data are obtained by space-borne facilities. For development of adequate models of processes of great practical importance occurred in magnetosphere and ionosphere there is a need for complex analysis; in this case the simultaneous (synchronous) measurements need to be done in all crucial parts of Sun–Earth system such as Sun, heliosphere, magnetosphere, ionosphere, atmosphere. To arrange this experiment there should be prepared the appropriate program of measurements both on space-borne equipment and ground-based geophysical complexes situated within different time zones. This program should provide measurements coordinated with orbital motion and operating regimes of space-borne and ground-based equipment. By the beginning of IPY-2007 program there is expected the formation of exclusively appropriate in its structure configuration of space and observation facilities including some magnetospheric satellites, equipment for monitoring the Sun and solar wind. From Russian side the following space-borne facilities are planned: 1. Magnetic-plasmic complex on board of space satellite Spectr-R equipped with magnetometer and solar wind analyzer. The Spectr-R will be launched on elliptic orbit with high apogee, and during the 90 % of operating time it will be in subsolar direction; so it can be used as near-Earth monitor of solar wind flux and interplanetary magnetic field. 2. Plasmic-diagnostic complex on board of ISS (International Space Station). 3. Space satellite Coronas-Photon equipped with devices for remote monitoring of the Sun. By the beginning of the IPY-2007 there will be enable the network of magnetic and ionospheric stations and other facilities situated in polar and midlatitude zones. The following scientific institutes of Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) will participate in the project: Institute of Space Research (ISR); Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation (ITMIR); Institute of Dynamics of Geospheres (IDG); Polar Geophysical Institute (PGI); Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of Siberian Branch (SB) of RAS (ISTP); Institute of Cosmophysical Research and Aeronomy SB RAS (ICRA); Institute of Cosmophysical Research and Radio Wave Propagation of Far East Branch of RAS (ICRR). Main objectives of the project: ·Research into cause-effect relations, space-time structure and dynamics of magnetosphere depending on characteristics of solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field; ·Systematization and classification of magnetospheric disturbances taking into consideration their fine structure depending on parameters of solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field; ·Dynamics of transfer of solar wind energy and mass to the Earth’s magnetosphere; ·Quantitative description of manifestations of magnetospheric-ionospheric relations in polar and near-polar regions and their man-caused action (monitoring and forecast of space weather).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
·Formation of the archives of satellite data over the period of IPY including all available sources; ·Reconstruction of sequence of events occurred in solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere revealed with the use of observations on the network of ground-based stations and observatories; ·Building of numerical models which explain the dynamics of ground-based observations depending on input parameters of solar activity and interplanetary medium, and use of these data for operative forecasts of space weather and its after-effects; ·Using the obtained experimental data for further fundamental and applied investigations in the field of near-Earth space physics and solar-terrestrial relations.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Joint researches with scientific institutions in Canada, USA, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Japan, China, Bulgaria, Austria according to coordinated scientific projects and programs.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Not planned. Experiments will be carried out on Russian stationary high-latitude stations and observatories (ground-based measurements) also using space-borne measurements.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Russian Academy of Sciences -Yes Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation - Yes Organizing Committee on the participation of Russian Federation in preparing and holding of arrangements within the limits of IPY-2007–2008 - to be expected

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?
No

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.

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 budgetary funds as well as funds of other financial sources

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Geliy Alexandrovich Zherebtsov
The Scientifis Council of RAS on Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences
Leninsky Avenue 38, Building 1
117334
Russia

Tel: (8-095) 137-07-11; (8-095) 333-32-90; (8-3952) 428-265
Mobile: no
Fax: (8-095) 137-65-11
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation