Project Title

Collaborative Research: Fe and Na Lidar Investigations of Geospace-Atmosphere Temperature, Composition, Chemistry, and Dynamics at McMurdo, Antarctica

Summary

Event Number:
A-123-M
NSF / OPP Award 2110428

Program Director:
Dr. David Porter

ASC POC/Implementer:
Marissa Goerke / Randolph Jones

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Xinzhao Chu
xinzhao.chu@colorado.edu
University of Colorado Boulder
CIRES
Boulder, Colorado

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station
Research Locations: Arrival Heights

Description

Researchers on this project operate two narrow-band, multifrequency lidars at McMurdo Station that can make high-resolution observations of winds and temperatures as well as meteoric metal species in the middle and upper atmosphere. Simultaneous observations by the two instruments — a sodium (Na) Doppler lidar and an iron (Fe) Boltzmann lidar — provide unprecedented levels of detail to characterize atmospheric and space conditions. The instruments have been hosted by Antarctica New Zealand in their Arrival Heights laboratory since late 2010. The observations provide critical data to address key science challenges associated with the space-atmosphere interaction region and, in particular, the sparsely observed high-latitude southern hemisphere.

Field Season Overview

Five participants (including two winter-over participants) will deploy to McMurdo Station in 2026-27 to conduct observations with the Na Doppler and Fe Boltzmann lidars. They will upgrade, refurbish, and perform routine maintenance on the instruments and train students who will analyze data and progress toward their graduate degrees.

Deploying Team Members