| PI | Institute/Department |
|---|---|
| Thomas, Evan |
Dartmouth
|
| Program Manager | Funding Agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Crain, Ms. Renee |
NSF, Office of Polar Programs
|
The Office of Naval Research funded, Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) group at Dartmouth College and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), seek to operate a passive radio receiver at Summit Station that listens in the high frequency (HF) radio band (between 8-18 MHz), that will receive transmissions from a scientific radar in Pykkvibaer, Iceland that is part of the SuperDARN array. SuperDARN is an international collaboration of 35 HF radars in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres continuously monitoring plasma motion in the ionized region of the Earth’s upper atmosphere, known as the ionosphere. The primary goal of a receiver at Summit is to receive the Iceland radar’s pulses and calculate their arrival angles after refracting off of the ionosphere. This will permit better understanding of the path by which the radar pulses travel, which will inform continuing studies of HF propagation characteristics at auroral latitudes in terms of local irregularity formation (e.g. by auroral ionization) and horizontal density gradients associated with space weather effects.
The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) group at Dartmouth College and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), with funding from the Office of Naval Research, seek to operate a passive radio receiver at Summit Station that listens in the high frequency (HF) radio band (between 8-18 MHz). This will receive transmissions from a scientific radar in Pykkvibaer, Iceland that is part of the SuperDARN array. SuperDARN is an international collaboration of 35 HF radars in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres continuously monitoring plasma motion in the ionized region of the Earth’s upper atmosphere, known as the ionosphere. The primary goal of a receiver at Summit is to receive the Iceland radar’s pulses and calculate their arrival angles after refracting off of the ionosphere. This will permit better understanding of the path by which the radar pulses travel, which will inform continuing studies of HF propagation characteristics at auroral latitudes in terms of local irregularity formation (e.g. by auroral ionization) and horizontal density gradients associated with space weather effects.
In August 2025, a three-person science team will travel to Summit Station via the Air National Guard (ANG) where they will install a SuperDARN receiver antenna array over the course of 10 days on-site. The array will consist of eight antennas of 30 foot height erected within 150 meters of the Atmospheric Watch Observatory (AWO) and connected via coaxial cables to an electronics rack installed at the AWO. After installation, the instrument system is planned to operate for a one-year period. Science data will be transmitted off-station regularly via the station network and Battelle ARO science technicians will provide onsite instrument support for operation of the receiver array.
In August 2026, a two-person science team will return to Summit Station via the ANG for ~10 days to uninstall the antenna array, uninstall the receiver rack, and prepare the equipment for retrograde shipment.
Battelle ARO will provide ANG coordination for passengers and cargo; Greenland departure fees; lodging in Kangerlussuaq; Summit Station user days; science technician and field coordinator support; physical space, power, and network connection in the Atmospheric Watch Observatory (AWO); and use of field equipment from the NSF inventory. Battelle ARO will also provide a wired network connection for science equipment in the AWO and network support for 400 MB/day off-station data transmission. All other logistics will be arranged and paid for by the PI from the research grant.
| Season | Field Site | Date In | Date Out | #People |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2025
|
Greenland - Summit
|
|
|
2
|
|
2026
|
Greenland - Summit
|
|
|
2
|