Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Research into physical processes of the polar and subpolar ionosphere and the action of high-latitude disturbances on the midlatitude ionosphere using space-borne and ground-based measurements.  (Polar Ionosphere)

Outline
Grounds The high-latitude ionosphere is a complex system, and its principal peculiarity is the fact that there is another source of ionization taking place at these latitudes – the corpuscular source. Therefore ionosphere conditions at high latitudes substantially depend on various phenomena in the Earth’s magnetosphere. The dynamic and thermal regimes also depend on electrodynamic processes both in the magnetosphere and inside the ionosphere itself. It has been found that the disturbances caused by solar activity at high latitudes are transferred to the low-latitude ionosphere, however in order to describe this all-important geophysical process adequately it is necessary to understand the mechanism which provides the longitudinal propagation of the disturbances. The other important role of the high-latitude ionosphere is the formation of the conditions of radio wave propagation. In this problem there should be emphasized the investigation of the mechanisms of the formation of ionospheric inhomogeneities of different scales. The problem of great importance is the influence of the ionosphere on lower layers of the atmosphere, as well as the estimation of the role of the thermosphere and upper atmosphere in the process of weather formation, etc. Finally, many practical activity problems in the extreme north can be resolved provided that physical processes in upper layers of the atmosphere are defined rather well. In Russia polar and near-polar regions occupy great territories of ten time zones. In the last decade high-latitude geophysical processes are of great worldwide importance. This fact is related to intensive economical development of these regions as well as to necessity of understanding the role of high-latitude geophysical phenomena in the global process of environment change. Concerning the research into environment Russian polar regions including high atmosphere layers are still blank spot on the world map. Therefore, taking part in the IPY-2007 Program to a certain extent will contribute to getting new knowledge in the field of high-latitude geophysics in Russia. 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); Institute of Physics of Earth (IPE); 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 mechanisms of energy transfer from outer magnetosphere to polar and subpolar ionosphere and following redistribution of this energy to low-latitude regions; ·Modeling of global scenario of adequate response of ionosphere–magnetosphere system to nonstationary processes under the interaction between solar wind and the Earth’s magnetosphere; ·Research into dynamic regime of the ionosphere and upper atmosphere; ·Research into mechanisms of formation of inhomogeneous ionosphere structure; ·Research into cause-effect relations in the lithosphere–atmosphere–ionosphere system; ·Formation of geophysical database.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
· Building of physical and mathematical models of ionospheric processes in polar regions; · Research into their interaction with midlatitude and low-latitude ionospheres and magnetosphere; · Research into structure and large-scale circulation in the upper and middle atmosphere; · Computational modeling of processes in ionosphere during disturbances; · More accurate definition of physico-mathematical model for computation of radio wave propagation on the basis of observational data and modeling results, and using the developed software for radio communication forecast; · Development of modern complex methods for diagnostics of state of near-Earth space and Earth’s lithosphere using consistent measurements by radiophysical, optical, electromagnetic, and seismic methods; obtaining of the experimental data on the state and dynamics of the polar ionosphere, and disturbance propagation in equatorial direction; · Development of the unified system of geophysical monitoring on the basis of modernization of actual digital geophysical stations and putting new ones into operation; · Formation of geophysical database.

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. Investigations will be carried out on the network of stations and observatories of RAS situated from Kola Peninsula to Chukotka.

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 - is 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?
Yes

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 Scientific 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