Space and atmospheric physics on Svalbard: a case for continued incoherent scatter radar measurements under the cusp and in the polar cap boundary region
Abstract Incoherent scatter radars (ISRs) represent the only instrument (both ground and space based) capable of making high temporal and spatial resolution measurements of multiple atmospheric parameters—such as densities, temperatures, particle velocities, mass flux—over an altitude range covering...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Progress in Earth and Planetary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-023-00585-9 |
| _version_ | 1797451076673208320 |
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| author | Lisa Baddeley Dag Lorentzen Stein Haaland Erkka Heino Ingrid Mann Wojciech Miloch Kjellmar Oksavik Noora Partamies Andres Spicher Juha Vierinen |
| author_facet | Lisa Baddeley Dag Lorentzen Stein Haaland Erkka Heino Ingrid Mann Wojciech Miloch Kjellmar Oksavik Noora Partamies Andres Spicher Juha Vierinen |
| author_sort | Lisa Baddeley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Incoherent scatter radars (ISRs) represent the only instrument (both ground and space based) capable of making high temporal and spatial resolution measurements of multiple atmospheric parameters—such as densities, temperatures, particle velocities, mass flux—over an altitude range covering the entire mesosphere/lower thermosphere/ionosphere (MLTI) system on a quasi-continuous basis. The EISCAT Svalbard incoherent scatter radar (ESR), located just outside Longyearbyen (78.15 $$^\circ$$ ∘ N) on Svalbard, is the only currently operating facility capable of making such measurements inside the polar cusp—an area of significant energy input into the atmosphere and characterized by heating instabilities and turbulence. The ESR was built in the mid-1990s and has provided valuable data for the international experimental and modelling communities. New radar technologies are now available, in the form of phased array systems, which offer new data products and operational flexibility. This paper outlines the achievements and current research focus of the ESR and provides scientific arguments, compiled from inputs across the international scientific community, for a new phased array ISR facility on Svalbard. In addition to the fundamental scientific arguments, the paper discusses additional benefits of continued ISR observations on Svalbard, building on the key findings of the ESR. Svalbard has a large network of complementary instrumentation both focused on the MLTI system (e.g. the Kjell Henriksen auroral Observatory, the Svalbard SuperDARN radar and the Svalrak sounding rocket launch facility) with synergies to other research fields, such as meteorology and oceanography. As a further holistic system science view of the Earth becomes more important, a new ISR on Svalbard will be important also in this respect with its ability to provide datasets with a wide range of scientific applications. Increased activity in space has highlighted problematic issues such as space debris. A changing Arctic has also seen increased human activity via the opening up of new shipping routes, which are reliant on GNSS technology that is effected by severe turbulence in the MLTI system. As such, societal applications of a future ISR are also presented. The accessibility and logistical support for such a facility is also briefly discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:49:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d6034c1ba83c47129c8df33e3767470d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2197-4284 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:49:44Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Progress in Earth and Planetary Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-d6034c1ba83c47129c8df33e3767470d2023-11-26T14:33:29ZengSpringerOpenProgress in Earth and Planetary Science2197-42842023-09-0110112410.1186/s40645-023-00585-9Space and atmospheric physics on Svalbard: a case for continued incoherent scatter radar measurements under the cusp and in the polar cap boundary regionLisa Baddeley0Dag Lorentzen1Stein Haaland2Erkka Heino3Ingrid Mann4Wojciech Miloch5Kjellmar Oksavik6Noora Partamies7Andres Spicher8Juha Vierinen9University Centre in SvalbardUniversity Centre in SvalbardUniversity Centre in SvalbardUiT The Arctic University of NorwayUiT The Arctic University of NorwayUniversity of OsloUniversity Centre in SvalbardUniversity Centre in SvalbardUiT The Arctic University of NorwayUiT The Arctic University of NorwayAbstract Incoherent scatter radars (ISRs) represent the only instrument (both ground and space based) capable of making high temporal and spatial resolution measurements of multiple atmospheric parameters—such as densities, temperatures, particle velocities, mass flux—over an altitude range covering the entire mesosphere/lower thermosphere/ionosphere (MLTI) system on a quasi-continuous basis. The EISCAT Svalbard incoherent scatter radar (ESR), located just outside Longyearbyen (78.15 $$^\circ$$ ∘ N) on Svalbard, is the only currently operating facility capable of making such measurements inside the polar cusp—an area of significant energy input into the atmosphere and characterized by heating instabilities and turbulence. The ESR was built in the mid-1990s and has provided valuable data for the international experimental and modelling communities. New radar technologies are now available, in the form of phased array systems, which offer new data products and operational flexibility. This paper outlines the achievements and current research focus of the ESR and provides scientific arguments, compiled from inputs across the international scientific community, for a new phased array ISR facility on Svalbard. In addition to the fundamental scientific arguments, the paper discusses additional benefits of continued ISR observations on Svalbard, building on the key findings of the ESR. Svalbard has a large network of complementary instrumentation both focused on the MLTI system (e.g. the Kjell Henriksen auroral Observatory, the Svalbard SuperDARN radar and the Svalrak sounding rocket launch facility) with synergies to other research fields, such as meteorology and oceanography. As a further holistic system science view of the Earth becomes more important, a new ISR on Svalbard will be important also in this respect with its ability to provide datasets with a wide range of scientific applications. Increased activity in space has highlighted problematic issues such as space debris. A changing Arctic has also seen increased human activity via the opening up of new shipping routes, which are reliant on GNSS technology that is effected by severe turbulence in the MLTI system. As such, societal applications of a future ISR are also presented. The accessibility and logistical support for such a facility is also briefly discussed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-023-00585-9IonosphereAtmospheric scienceSpace weatherCuspPolar capPlasma turbulence |
| spellingShingle | Lisa Baddeley Dag Lorentzen Stein Haaland Erkka Heino Ingrid Mann Wojciech Miloch Kjellmar Oksavik Noora Partamies Andres Spicher Juha Vierinen Space and atmospheric physics on Svalbard: a case for continued incoherent scatter radar measurements under the cusp and in the polar cap boundary region Progress in Earth and Planetary Science Ionosphere Atmospheric science Space weather Cusp Polar cap Plasma turbulence |
| title | Space and atmospheric physics on Svalbard: a case for continued incoherent scatter radar measurements under the cusp and in the polar cap boundary region |
| title_full | Space and atmospheric physics on Svalbard: a case for continued incoherent scatter radar measurements under the cusp and in the polar cap boundary region |
| title_fullStr | Space and atmospheric physics on Svalbard: a case for continued incoherent scatter radar measurements under the cusp and in the polar cap boundary region |
| title_full_unstemmed | Space and atmospheric physics on Svalbard: a case for continued incoherent scatter radar measurements under the cusp and in the polar cap boundary region |
| title_short | Space and atmospheric physics on Svalbard: a case for continued incoherent scatter radar measurements under the cusp and in the polar cap boundary region |
| title_sort | space and atmospheric physics on svalbard a case for continued incoherent scatter radar measurements under the cusp and in the polar cap boundary region |
| topic | Ionosphere Atmospheric science Space weather Cusp Polar cap Plasma turbulence |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-023-00585-9 |
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