Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Correlated Solar-Terrestrial Polar Activities  (CoSTePA)

Outline
The field of Sun-Earth relations has received increasing interest in the last years: firstly the scientific community continues to pursue the goal of achieving a better understanding of all the physical processes pertaining to Sun-Earth relations, in the second place such understanding is being applied to the emerging discipline of space weather. In this framework the study of the polar and auroral ionosphere and the related ground based measurements (magnetometers, all sky cameras, riometers) is essential. This activity aims at: - The installation (by January 2007) of two SuperDARN radars at Dome C, to complete the southern hemisphere SuperDARN MLT coverage of the auroral ionosphere. - The coordinated study of data from such radars, the italian all-sky camera at Terra Nova Bay, the italian ground magnetometers at Terra Nova Bay and Dome C (the latter to be installed in 2005). - The development of an italian national web portal with two main objectives: 1) support the data exchange in the national community, 2) provide an education and outreach tool towards the public at large. We shall not list here all the SuperDARN, All Sky cameras and ground magnetometers scientific objectives. In section 1.6 two specific points will be recalled in connection with IPY themes 3 and 5. P.S. The proposed scientific activities will also benefit from the data provided by the two italian northern hemishere all sky cameras of Ny Alesund and Daneborg. In general, the proposing team will seek collaboration will all groups having similar data in both hemispheres.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
SuperDARN, All Sky Camera and ground magnetometer data are all relevant to both themes hereafter dealt with. Some examples are detailed, one per theme. IPY theme 3. The completion of the SuperDARN Southern hemisphere network will allow a better description of the auroral and polar ionospheric convection, aiming at the real time nowcasting of the cross polar cap potential. IPY theme 5. Entry mechanisms of upstream waves in the magnetosphere or/and local generation and propagation of ULF waves. Monitoring of the position and extension of the cusp (seasonal, solar wind related effects). Extension of magnetospheric substorms into the polar cap.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The present expression of intent was written on a national basis only. However, the proposer and his team have on going collaborations with several institutes outside Italy on such matters, among which LPCE-CNRS, FMI and IRFU. In particular, the installation of the Dome C radars is a common project involving IFSI and LPCE (Dr. J.-P. Villain) on an equal share basis. The proposer and his team plan to extend this collaboration to other european partners in the near future.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Ny-Alesund (existing IFSI all-sky camera) Daneborg (existing IFSI all-sky camera) Terra Nova Bay (existing IFSI all-sky camera; existing Un. of l’Aquila ground magnetometer) Dome C (Un. of l’Aquila ground magnetometer to be installed in 2005; SuperDARN radars to be installed in 2006-2007)

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: All the instruments, exception made for the Dome C SuperDARN radars, exist and will continue to operate thoughout the IPY. The Dome C SuperDARN radars should start operation by the end of January 2007.            
Antarctic: All the instruments, exception made for the Dome C SuperDARN radars, exist and will continue to operate thoughout the IPY. The Dome C SuperDARN radars should start operation by the end of January 2007.            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No need for specific logistics support.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
All the instrumentation involved will continue to operate after the IPY. The Solar-Terrestrial Polar National web portal could continue operation, if funded.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The instruments have all been funded. Endorsement for this specific proposal is being sought at national level.

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

As regards the existing instrumentation, no new management is necessary. A specific management will be set up for the common activities and for the web portal development.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Two science working groups will be set up to pursue the two goals described in section 1.6. A working group will follow the development of the web portal.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Such aspects will be pursued through the web portal activities.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management issues will be tackeld mainly through the web portal activities.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
As regards instrumentation, funding will be provided through the usual P.N.R.A. channels. As regards the development of the web portal, funding will be seeked from INAF and P.N.R.A.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Ermanno Amata
IFSI/INAF
Via del fosso del cavaliere 100
Roma
00133
Italy

Tel: +39 06 4993 4378
Mobile: no
Fax: +39 06 4993 4383
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation