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. Vladimir Papitashvili

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / 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

Description

This project operates and maintains ground-based Fabry-Perot spectrometers at McMurdo Station and South Pole Station. The instruments measure mesospheric and thermospheric neutral winds and temperatures at heights of around 87 km, 120 km and 240 km. Data collected informs both large-scale changes in mean flow and small-scale local perturbations, independently resolves impacts due to forcing from above and from below and contributes to studies utilizing data from other types of observing systems located in Antarctica.

Field Season Overview

The baseline tasks at both South Pole Station and McMurdo Station for the 2024-25 field season include performing routine calibration and alignment procedures that were not done during the 2023-24 season, backing-up the computer systems and hand carrying full-resolution data files that are too large for reliable transmission over the U.S. Antarctic Program network, repairing any faults that may occur during the 2024-25 observing season, and restocking spare parts. The spectrometer filter wheel and sky/calibration view switch assemblies will be replaced with a newly developed 3D printed unit that combines both functions in a single mechanism.

In addition, instrumentation will continue to operate autonomously, year-round, via remote monitoring and control, aided by on-site support provided by Antarctic Support Contract staff and other station infrastructure (e.g., IT network, station services) as needed.

Deploying Team Members