2023-2024 Science Planning Summary
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2023-2024 USAP Field Season
Project Detail

Project Title

First Conjugate-station Studies and Continued Satellite-conjunction Studies of LF/MF/HF Auroral Radio Emissions at South Pole


Photo courtesy of the NSF/USAP Photo Library. Photo by Dr. Daniel Michalik
A-128-S Research Location(s):  B2 Laboratory

Summary

Event Number:
A-128-S
NSF / OPP Award 2205753

Program Director:
Dr. Vladimir Papitashvili

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Paul Sullivan / Sheryl Seagraves


Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. James LaBelle
James.W.LaBelle@dartmouth.edu
Dartmouth College
Department of Physics & Astronomy


Location

Supporting Stations: South Pole Station
Research Locations: B2 Laboratory


Description

This project operates instruments at South Pole Station to answer outstanding questions raised by the discovery of correlations between auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) observed 200,000 kilometers above Earth and AKR-like signals observed simultaneously at South Pole Station. The higher electron cyclotron harmonic radiation is polarized, which suggests a different and possibly nonlinear generation mechanism. These phenomena are best observed, and in most cases can only be observed, from Antarctica, making the South Pole a perfect location for this research.


Field Season Overview

No on-site fieldwork is to be performed by the science team this year. The instrument will continue to operate autonomously, year-round, via remote monitoring and control, aided by on-site support provided by ASC staff and other station infrastructure (IT network, station services, etc.) as needed.