Project Title

Small Multi-GNSS Data Collection Array for Ionosphere and Space Weather Monitoring

Summary

Event Number:
A-104-M/P/S
NSF / OPP Award 2332508

Program Director:
Dr. Marion Dierickx

ASC POC/Implementer:
Paul Sullivan / Jamee Johnson / Randolph Jones / Sheryl Seagraves

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Jade T Morton
jade.morton@colorado.edu
University of Colorado Boulder
Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences
Boulder, Colorado

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station, Palmer Station, South Pole Station
Research Locations: McMurdo Station, South Pole Station, Palmer Station

Description

The polar ionosphere is home to many complex processes that reflect dynamic coupling between solar wind, the magnetosphere, and the upper atmosphere. As we approach the solar maximum, the polar ionosphere increasingly experiences intense space weather events. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals propagating through the polar ionosphere offer a unique opportunity to observe and study multiscale ionosphere irregularities. Irregularities are more intense, frequent, and complex in the Southern Hemisphere. Current models do not adequately capture some observed phenomena and irregularity formation and propagation mechanisms. Better spatial coverage, continuity, and resolution of ionospheric structures are needed to improve observability of ionospheric plasma irregularities and their dynamics over Antarctica and to enable comparative studies of Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere ionospheric responses to space weather events.

Field Season Overview

The team will not deploy to Antarctica this season. At McMurdo Station (Arrival Heights Lab) and South Pole Station (B2 Lab) , a GNSS experiment was installed in 2024-25 with the help of principal investigators (PIs) Kim (2332427) and Weatherwax (2332429). At Palmer Station (Terra Lab), research associate (RA) support is requested to install a GNSS experiment during the 2025-26 season. Each installed GNSS experiment uses 28” x 28” x 17” of lab or tabletop space, and the GNSS equipment will not require data transfers. Removable hard drives will be shipped back to the home institution twice per year or as logistics can accommodate. RA support will be provided weekly for general maintenance and troubleshooting and annually for data-media shipping/receiving.