Project Title

Auroral kilometric radiation, substorms, and related phenomena: Satellite conjunction and conjugate studies at South Pole

Summary

Event Number:
A-128-S

Program Manager:
Dr. Vladimir Papitashvili

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Paul Sullivan / Sheryl Seagraves

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. James LaBelle
jlabelle@aristotle.dartmouth.edu
Dartmouth College
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Hanover, New Hampshire

Location

Supporting Stations: South Pole Station
Research Locations: B2 Laboratory, Near Field

Description

This project operates instruments at South Pole Station to answer outstanding questions raised by the discovery of correlations between auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) observed 200,000 kilometers above Earth and AKR-like signals observed simultaneously at South Pole Station. The higher electron cyclotron harmonic radiation is polarized, which suggests a different and possibly nonlinear generation mechanism. These phenomena are best observed, and in most cases can only be observed, from Antarctica, making the South Pole a perfect location for this research.

Field Season Overview

The instrumentation for this project is located in the B2 Lab and V8 vault. It runs continuously year-round, essentially autonomously, with only limited intervention required by personnel onsite and by the science party via the internet. Field deployments by project personnel are not typically required and none will deploy during the 2020-21 season. An onsite Research Associate will provide monitoring, troubleshooting, and the collection and forwarding of data as needed throughout the year.