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. David Porter

ASC POC/Implementer:
Marissa Goerke / 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 complex processes that reflect dynamic coupling between the solar wind, magnetosphere, and upper atmosphere. As the Sun approaches its 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, which are more intense, frequent, and complex in the southern than northern hemisphere. Current models do not adequately capture certain observed phenomena and irregularity formation and propagation mechanisms. Better spatial coverage, continuity, and resolution of ionospheric structures are needed to observe ionospheric plasma irregularities and their dynamics over Antarctica and to compare northern and southern hemisphere ionospheric responses to space weather events.

This project aims to integrate data from new and existing GNSS stations with satellite measurements and data from multi-instrument sites that the science team and collaborators operate in Antarctica and the Arctic, to perform long-term monitoring of patterns of ionospheric irregularities over the southern polar regions and their dependence on solar-geomagnetic activities. Dedicated case studies will also be conducted to investigate the physics behind ionospheric irregularity formation and evolution in relation to geomagnetic activity and associated ionospheric dynamics at high latitudes.

Field Season Overview

The team will not deploy to Antarctica during the 2026-27 season. A GNSS experiment was installed in 2024-25 at McMurdo Station (Arrival Heights Lab) and South Pole Station (B2 Lab) with the help of principal investigators Dr. Hyomin Kim (2332427) and Dr. Allan Weatherwax (2332429). At Palmer Station (Terra Lab), a GNSS experiment was installed during 2025-26. Each installed GNSS experiment uses 28” x 28” x 17” of lab or tabletop space, and the GNSS equipment requires no data transfers. Removable hard drives will be shipped back to the home institution twice per year or as logistics can accommodate. Research associate support will be provided weekly for general maintenance and troubleshooting and annually for data-media shipping and receiving.