Project Title

Local-scale Drivers and Responses of Thermospheric Weather Above Antarctica

Summary

Event Number:
A-343-M/S
NSF / OPP Award 2029459

Program Director:
Dr. David Porter

ASC POC/Implementer:
Marissa Goerke / Randolph Jones / Sheryl Seagraves

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Mark Gerard Conde
mgconde@alaska.edu
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Physics Department
Fairbanks, Alaska

Project Web Site:
http://sdi_server.gi.alaska.edu/sdiweb/index.asp

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station, South Pole Station
Research Locations: Arrival Heights, B2 Laboratory, ARO

Description

This project will use existing ground-based Fabry-Pérot spectrometers at McMurdo Station and South Pole Station to measure mesospheric and thermospheric neutral winds and temperatures, at heights of approximately 87, 120, and 240 kilometers. The project investigates coupling mechanisms that drive the morphology of small-scale thermospheric perturbations and large-scale thermospheric weather. The study will address both large-scale changes in mean flow and small-scale local perturbations and independently resolve impacts due to forcing from above versus below. Existing instruments will be upgraded by adding a capability to measure winds and temperatures at mesopause heights. The study will be supported by collaborative data from existing mesospheric temperature mapper and Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radar instruments in Antarctica, in turn providing neutral wind and temperature data for use by collaborators.

Field Season Overview

One participant will deploy to McMurdo Station and South Pole Station to perform routine calibration and alignment procedures, back up the computer systems, hand-carry full-resolution data files that are too large for reliable transmission over the United States Antarctic Program network, repair any faults that may occur during the 2026-27 observing season, and restock spare parts.

At McMurdo, the aging filter wheel and view-switch mechanisms will be replaced with a new 3-D-printed fore-optics assembly. At South Pole, the team will install a modified optical coupling section to rectify a problem that prevents optimum focus on the sky. This will require disassembly and reassembly of the instrument fore-optics. In addition, instrumentation will continue to operate autonomously, year-round, via remote monitoring and control, aided by on-site support from Antarctic Support Contract staff and other station infrastructure (e.g., information technology network, station services) as needed. Research associate support will be provided throughout the year for routine monitoring and operation, logging observations, and responding to minor maintenance or diagnostic requests.

Deploying Team Members