Multi-Instrument Studies of High Latitude Atmospheric Turbulence and Wave Processes

Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) Waves in the Earths geomagnetic field are signatures of energy dissipation into the Earths upper atmosphere from the Sun and Solar Wind. By monitoring the characteristics and location of the waves on the ground, using instrumentation such as magnetometers, optical equipment and radars, it is possible to investigate the complex plasma processes and interactions. The instrumentation located on Svalbard thus allows a unique opportunity to study these waves. The research goals for the project have been divided into 3 separate work packages (3.1-3.3). The project has initiated a new collaboration between the two research groups (the Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth (IPE) in Moscow and the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS)) with the aim of addressing these research goals through a program of researcher exchanges, seminars, conferences and joint publications. The project was started in May 2015 with a visit by two scientists from IPE to UNIS. During their visit a database of photometer and radar data from Longyearbyen was compiled to be used in work packages 3.1 and 3.2. In January and February 2016, two scientists from UNIS spent 2.5 weeks in Moscow at IPE. The UNIS scientists gave an invited seminar at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. During 2017, three scientists from IPE and one scientist from PGI visited Svalbard. As well as workshops, the scientists were also given a tour of the UNIS Space Physics research facilities: The Kjell Henriksen Observatory (KHO) and the SuperDARN radar. UNIS geophysics students were also invited to a space physics seminar held as part of the project. The project team visited the PGI observatory and Kola Peninsula Science Centre at Barentsburg. In June 2017, two scientists from UNIS visited IPE. In addition to workshops at IPE, they also gave an invited seminar at Moscow State University as well as discussing possible future collaborations between the research groups. A special focus of possible collaborations was the recently launched LOMONOSOV satellite. Scientists from the project also met with scientists from the Geophysical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences to discuss the ongoing research project and also education possibilities on Svalbard for Russian students. The project organized a scientific session at the 2018 annual meeting of the European Geophysical Union (EGU) which is held in Vienna (https://egu2018.eu/). The meeting is attended by over 15000 scientists and covers a wide range of topics under the umbrella of geophysical sciences. The session (ST3.6 - ULF waves and turbulence in the auroral oval and polar cap regions: New horizons in multi-instrument observations) received 11 abstracts from scientists in Russia, Norway, UK, USA and Finland. In addition to fruitful scientific discussions, it also allowed us to show case our collaborative project to an international audience. Smaller meetings were held during the week to discuss ongoing and possible future projects. During 2019, there were two research visits to UNIS by researchers from IPE. The researchers presented some new work looking at ULF wave effects on ground induced currents. The results from that study were presented at a substorm meeting in Tromsø in October 2019. Given the success of the POLARPROG collaborations the research groups have submitted a new proposal to the INPART research call from the Norwegian Research Council. This new proposal aims to build on the scientific results from the POLARPROG collaboration as well as expanding the group to include researchers form 2 additional research groups in both Russia and France. The INTPART proposal also includes plans for a new Masters / PhD level course centered around ULF waves. In total, the project has resulted in 10 publications in international, peer reviewed journals and 34 presentations (10 at national meetings, 18 at international meetings and 6 invited seminars) and 8 exchange visits. More detailed information regarding the project, including up to date news items, can be found on the UNIS website: http://www.unis.no/research/arctic-geophysics/awat/

The project has successfully established a good, ongoing collaboration between the two research groups (UNIS, Norway and IPE, Moscow). The project organized a science session at the annual general meeting of the European Geophysical Union in April 2018. 8 exchange visits, 10 scientific publications in international peer reviewed journals and 34 joint presentations have been achieved during the project lifetime covering all 3 work packages. The project has been so successful that both groups have agreed to carry on the collaboration and also have submitted a new proposal to the INTPART research call from the Norwegian Research Council. This new proposal aims to build on the scientific results from the POLARPROG collaboration as well as expanding the group to include researchers form 2 additional research groups in both Russia and France.

The project seeks to create a new collaborative research group between UNIS and IPE. Both research groups have extensive research experience in ionsopheric/ magnetospheric physics. In addition to utlizing the research expertise of both groups, the project will seek to capitalize on the the specialist areas of each. UNIS has a strong background in experimental techniques relating to imaging of the aurora utilizing a variety of instruments located at the Kjell Henriksen Observatory (KHO) in Longyearbyen. In addition they also have a strong background in ionospheric radar techniques. IPE has a strong background in developing mathematical models and analysis techniques which are vital to understand the flow of energy from the Solar wind into the Earth's upper atmosphere. The aims of the project are specified in the attached project plan but can be summerized: - analysis of mutliple datasets from instrumentation across Svalbard - on site fieldwork visits to both Longyearbyen and Barentsburg - mini-workshops to be conducted at both UNIS and IPE - joint presentations at international conferences and meetings