EISCAT Peer-Review Programme: Call for Proposals

The EISCAT Scientific Association invites applications for observing time on the EISCAT facilities in 2018, by individual scientists, research groups, and consortia throughout the world on equal,
competitive basis. This means that anyone can apply, independent of whether or not the applicant is from an EISCAT associate country.

While evaluations are merit based, in the case of two applications having similar merits in evaluation, preference will be given either to those applicants who are new to the EISCAT facilities, in order to enlarge the EISCAT user community and further more open access to the facilities, or to the applicant showing stronger educational impact in their proposal.

The present call is the second one for 2019. In total, 200 hours of experiment time are open for international, peer-reviewed competition, and are available for the use of any of the current EISCAT facilities. Roughly half of this time has been allocated in the first call.

Please refer to the details of the call at

https://www.eiscat.se/blog/2019/04/04/eiscat-peer-reviewed-program-experiments-2/

for more information.

The deadline for proposals is 1st May 2019 at 24:00 UTC.

From: Ingemar Häggström, EISCAT Scientific Association.

Vacancy: Postdoc Position in Radio Science

KAIRA site in Kilpisjärvi. Photo Craig Heinselman, EISCAT.

"Remote sensing of energetic particle precipitation into atmosphere"

The postdoc position in Radio Science is part of the profiling actions of University of Oulu, where selected spearheads of research are supported in the research strategy of the university. At the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (SGO), the position is mainly meant to boost development of phased-array radio techniques, measurement methods and related science applications in preparation to the use of the forthcoming next-generation incoherent scatter radar facility, EISCAT_3D.

There is growing evidence that the energetic particle precipitation (EPP) originating from the Sun can significantly modulate the middle-atmospheric dynamics, and possibly alter the global atmospheric circulation via ionic production of minor species (such as odd hydrogen and odd nitrogen), thus causing subsequent ozone loss in the stratosphere. The Postdoc project investigates both the EPP and the photoionisation taking place in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere (MLT) altitudes (mainly 60-100 km). For the EPP, the altitude of the maximum ionisation is a direct measure of precipitation energy. This energy-height dependence makes it possible to invert the EPP flux density spectrum from any height-dependent electron density measurement.　

The project exploits a comprehensive set of ground-based (and sounding rocket) electron density data obtained by various radio methods, of which the most important ones are the incoherent scatter radars (EISCAT) and the Kilpisjärvi Imaging Receiver Array, KAIRA. An important tool available at SGO is the in-house developed detailed Sodankylä Ion-neutral Chemistry (SIC).

Deadline: 28th September 2018, 24:00 (Finnish local time).

To apply, please see the full job description and use the electronic application form.

For more information, please contact Ass. Prof. Antti Kero, e-mail: antti.kero(at)sgo.fi, tel.: +358442894669.

Photo: Craig Heinselman, EISCAT Scientific Association.

PhD Opportunity: Ionospheric Current Systems

Applications are invited for a four-year, full-time doctoral student position. The successful candidate will study of space weather effects on the high-latitude ionospheric current systems and magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. The project will utilise data from the Swarm satellites and ground-based magnetometers (e.g. SuperMAG and IMAGE), together with other satellite and ground-based measurements.

The position will be placed in the Ionospheric Physics research unit at the Faculty of Science, University of Oulu. In the unit the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system is studied by utilising data from different satellite missions (e.g. Swarm and Cluster) and from versatile ground-based instruments, including the EISCAT incoherent scatter radars. We are looking for candidates with MSc degree in Physics, Space Physics, Computational Physics or a closely related field. Experience in programming and earlier studies in Space Physics are an advantage.

To apply, please see the full job description and use the electronic application form.

Deadline: 15th September 2018, (24:00 h Finnish local summer time).

Further information can be obtained from Dr Heikki Vanhamäki (heikki.vanhamaki(at)oulu.fi) or Prof. Anita Aikio (anita.aikio(at)oulu.fi).

Image: Swarm satellite constellation. ©2013 by ESA/ATG Medialab.

PhD Opportunity: Ionospheric Physics

Applications are invited for a four-year, full-time doctoral student position. The successful candidate will develop data analysis tools for the EISCAT and EISCAT_3D ionospheric radars and will use them for studies of space weather effects on the high-latitude ionosphere. The project will utilise Bayesian techniques in radar data analysis.

The position will be placed in the Ionospheric Physics research unit at the Faculty of Science, University of Oulu, where the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system is studied by utilising data from different satellite missions (e.g. Swarm and Cluster) and from versatile ground-based instruments. The EISCAT incoherent scatter radars have a central role in the unit’s research.  Capabilities of the present EISCAT radars will be surpassed by the high-resolution, volumetric observations of the EISCAT_3D radar system by 2022. 

We are looking for candidates with MSc degree in Physics, Space Physics, Computational Physics or a closely related field. Experience in programming and earlier studies in Space Physics are an advantage.

To apply, please see the full job description and use the electronic application. 

Further information can be obtained from: Dr Ilkka Virtanen (ilkka.i.virtanen at oulu.fi) or Prof. Anita Aikio (anita.aikio at oulu.fi).

Application deadline is 30 May 2018 (24:00 Finnish local time).

Photo: Aerial view of Linnanmaa Campus; copyright University of Oulu, all rights reserved.

EISCAT Peer-Review Programme: Call for Proposals

EISCAT VHF Incoherent Scatter Radar in Tromsø, Norway.

The EISCAT Scientific Association invites applications for observing time on the EISCAT facilities in 2018, by individual scientists, research groups, and consortia throughout the world on equal, competitive basis. This means that anyone can apply, independent of whether or not the applicant is from an EISCAT associate country.

While evaluations are merit based, in the case of two applications having similar merits in evaluation, preference will be given either to those applicants who are new to the EISCAT facilities, in order to enlarge the EISCAT user community and further more open access to the facilities, or to the applicant showing stronger educational impact in their proposal.

The present call is the second one for 2018. In total, 200 hours of experiment time are open for international, peer-reviewed competition, and are available for the use of any of the current EISCAT facilities. Roughly half of this time has been allocated in the first call.

Please refer to the details of the call at

https://www.eiscat.se/blog/2018/04/05/eiscat-peer-reviewed-program-experiments-2/

for more information.

The deadline for proposals is 1st May 2018 at 24:00 UTC.

Text: EISCAT. Photo: Th.Ulich.

PhD Defence: Studies of Ionospheres of Earth and Mars

Huge congratulations to our colleague and friend Dr Maxime Grandin, who successfully defended his PhD thesis at SGO yesterday. His work entitled "Multi-Instrument and Modelling Studies of the Ionospheres of Earth and Mars" was done at Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, University of Oulu and at the Research Institute in Astrophysics and Planetology (IRAP), University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse leading to a double PhD degree in physics.

The opponents were Dr Mervin Freeman, British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK, and Dr Ronan Modolo, LATMOS, University of Versailles, France. Prof Anita Aikio, University of Oulu, served as custos.

EISCAT Radar Time Available: Call for Proposals

Tromsø VHF Radar seen from the top platform of the UHF Radar; Sep. 2017.

The EISCAT Scientific Association invites applications for observing time on the EISCAT facilities in 2017, by individual scientists, research groups, and consortia throughout the world on equal, competitive basis. This means that anyone can apply, independent of whether or not the applicant is from an EISCAT associate country.

While evaluations are merit based, in the case of two applications having similar merits in evaluation, preference will be given either to those applicants who are new to the EISCAT facilities, in order to enlarge the EISCAT user community and further more open access to the facilities, or to the applicant showing stronger educational impact in their proposal.

The present call is the second one for 2017. In total, 200 hours of experiment time are open for international, peer-reviewed competition, and are available for the use of any of the current EISCAT facilities. Roughly half of this time has been allocated in the first call.

Please refer to the details of the call at https://www.eiscat.se/blog/2017/04/10/eiscat-peer-reviewed-program-experiments-2/ for more information.

The deadline for proposals is 1st May 2017 at 24:00 UTC.

Text: EISCAT. Photo: Th.Ulich.

PhD Candidate in Radio Science and Ionospheric Physics

PhD Candidate in Radio Science and Ionospheric Physics at UiT The Arctic University of Norway

University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Science and Technology, has a PhD student position vacant for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD). The appointment is for a period of four years.

The successful candidate will participate in the development and use of novel high power large aperture radar observational techniques in combination with other relevant instruments, with the goal of advancing the state of knowledge of ionospheric phenomena. Examples of potential topics of research include: ionospheric modification, characterisation of auroral energetic particle precipitation, and magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. The final scope of the thesis project will be determined based on the background and interests of the candidate.

The position is attached to the Space Physics group at the Department of Physics and Technology, which is located on the Tromsø campus of UiT. The Space Physics group has a long tradition in using the radar instruments of the EISCAT Scientific Association in Northern Scandinavia and plays an important role in preparing for the new advanced atmospheric radar facility EISCAT_3D. Scientists in the group also conduct research on topics including: auroral ionosphere, ionospheric modification, space weather, laboratory plasmas, space debris, planetary radar, dusty plasma in the mesosphere, and long-term trends in the ionosphere. The Space Physics group consists of eight faculty members and six PhD students. The group will be expanded by four PhD students and one postdoctoral scientist during the next year.

Further information about the position and project details is available by contacting:

Associate Professor Juha Vierinen, email juha-pekka.vierinen -at- uit.no or tel. +47 981 72 827.

Please read also the full announcement of this vacancy.

Photo: Thomas Ulich.

Effects of solar wind high-speed streams on the high-latitude ionosphere: Superposed epoch study

Our study of the effects of solar wind high-speed streams on the high-latitude ionosphere, based on data from the SGO ionosonde during the years 2006–2008, has now been accepted for publication. An early-access version is available here, and the reference is:

Grandin, M., A. T. Aikio, A. Kozlovsky, T. Ulich and T. Raita (2015), Effects of solar wind high-speed streams on the high-latitude ionosphere: Superposed epoch study, J. Geophys. Res. Space Physics, 120, doi:10.1002/2015JA021785.

Here is the abstract:

Solar wind high-speed streams (HSSs) are the most important source of geomagnetic disturbances during the declining phase of the solar cycle. Their ionospheric response, especially at high latitudes, is not fully understood yet. We carried out a phase-locked superposed epoch analysis to study the effects of HSSs on the high-latitude ionospheric F region, using data from the Sodankylä ionosonde (L = 5.25) during 2006–2008. We found that the F layer critical frequency f_oF₂ decreases between 12 and 23 magnetic local time (MLT) in summer and around equinoxes for several days. Our interpretation, supported by numerical estimations, is that increased electric fields in the evening sector of the auroral and subauroral regions create ion-neutral frictional heating. Frictional heating will increase the loss rate of O⁺ due to two reasons. The first one is neutral heating producing thermal expansion of the atmosphere and enhancing N₂ and O₂ contents at the F region peak. The second one is ion heating which may occur under strong enough electric fields (about 50–60 mV/m), leading to enhancement of the reaction coefficients. An increase in f_oF₂ is observed in two different MLT sectors. First, a short-lived f_oF₂ increase is visible during all seasons near noon on the first day after the arrival of the HSS, possibly triggered by the compressed solar wind plasma pressure pulse, which may produce particle precipitation from the dayside central plasma sheet. Second, f_oF₂ is enhanced for several days in the morning sector during equinoxes and in winter. We suggest that this is caused by the low-energy tail of particle precipitation.

Variations of foF2 and max(foE, foEs) values compared to background values, by magnetic local time and day number relative to zero epoch. ©2015. American Geophysical Union.

Solar flare signature in the BDU riometer

There has been quite inspiring buzz in the media about the current "monster sunspot", and indeed, this giant AR2192 spot has sent multiple X-class solar flares towards us within the past few days. In addition to the widely reported HF-radio blackouts and GPS navigation disturbances, the energetic solar flares cause changes in the upper atmosphere/ionosphere due to increased photoionisation in the whole dayside hemisphere. SGO aims to quantify this ionisation by several ground-based measurement techniques, including riometers.

As mentioned in the earlier blog, we have just installed a new spectral riometer to Bahir Dar, Ethiopia and we were lucky to catch a few of these fresh solar flare events to the data, please have a look:

Received power (in arbitrary dB units) detected by the BDU spectral riometer (start, max and stop times of the solar flare event are marked as dashed lines).

One of the challenges in detecting the solar flare induced ionisation by riometry is that the Sun sends, not only the X-rays, but also bursts of radio emissions related to the flare events. As the riometer operates at the same radio frequencies, these emissions might mask totally the signature of the atmospheric response to the flare, i.e., reduction in the cosmic radio noise levels. 

In this case too, the increased levels of radio noise (red stuff) during the onset and offset phases of the flare are probably caused by the direct solar radio emissions. However, around the maximum time of the flare, there is a clear reduction in the radio noise, most likely caused by increased radio wave absorption in the ionosphere. We are particularly interested in the spectrum of this increased absorption (radio noise absorption at different frequencies) as it carries information on the ionisation profile in the atmosphere. 

This provides a very nice science case for collaboration between the SGO and BDU scientists and pretty awesome kick-off for this instrument, I'd say!

A few photos of the famous beauty & the beast:

www.spaceweather.com

www.spaceweather.com

One Solar Cycle of SGO Ionospheric Tomography Measurements

The SGO tomography chain has been an operational instrument since early 2003, i.e. today autumn 2014, we have had one solar cycle of continuous observations. Before 2003, we did make technology and analysis development and related experiments. Early trials date back to 1990s. The basic data products are the phase curve measurements from 4-5 stations. The operational stations are: Nurmijärvi and Kokkola in Finland, Luleå and Kiruna, in Sweden. Tromsø station in Norway was used in the early phase of the chain and it was later replaced by the Kilpisjärvi receiver. The phase curves are basically total electron content plus an additive unknown constant. As analysis products, we have produced a large set of tomographic reconstructions.

As mentioned earlier in the blog, we are continuing the tomography development in collaboration with Finnish Meteorogical Institute in a project titled ‘TomoScand’. Hence, the development is active and we hope to be measuring also during next years, and hence having data for 1+ solar cycle! 

Stations measuring 2014-06-01
01:33:10 UT

Measured phase curves

Reconstruction computed

The Arecibo Radiotelescope

From 21 to 26 July, the National Science Foundation and the EISCAT Scientific Association organised the 2014 Incoherent Scatter Radar Summer School in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The Finnish delegation comprised Thomas Ulich (lecturer and organiser, SGO), Antti Kero (lecturer, SGO), Anita Aikio (lecturer, University of Oulu) and myself (student, SGO).

It was such an incredible experience to have this summer school in the legendary Arecibo Observatory by the very edge of the 305-m-wide spherical dish which was built in 1964. This radiotelescope has provided the scientific community with extremely high-quality data in ionosphere physics, radio astronomy and planet and asteroid imaging.

The platform hanging 150 m above the bottom of the dish thanks to strong cables contains two receivers: the line feed and the Gregorian dome. The access to the platform is visible on the top-right-hand corner of the picture below. During the week, the summer school participants were given the chance to get onto that platform.

Picture realised by merging ten photographs of small bits of the radar

Besides the amazing location, this summer school was a great success and provided a unique opportunity for students in ionosphere physics from all around the world (Europe, United States, Japan, China, Peru, Ethiopia...) to meet. 

Many thanks to the organisers and the lecturers (may they find an equally extraordinary place for the next summer school)!

A soprano of the Arecibo Observatory Coquí Choir (daily performances starting around 19:30)

Quest for Beacon Satellites

SGO has been running a dual-frequency (150/400 MHz) tomography chain with ~5 stations in Fenno-Scandinavia since early 2000s. The chain relies on the Russian Tsykada navigation satellites, i.e. the COSMOS satellites. There is currently three COSMOS satellites with suitable operational transmitters. During recent years, Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) has carried out an ionospheric tomography project titled "TomoScand". For this project FMI, in collaboration with SGO, has developed a new beacon receiver  (GNU Ionospheric Tomography Receiver - Jitter). In addition to COSMOS satellites, with the new system we can receive any 150/400 MHz beacon, provided the satellite visibility. These satellites are currently the e-POP and DMSP F15. Hence, currently we have 5 satellites in the field-of-view of TomoScand and SGO chain.

Following the success of the TomoScand new receivers, we at SGO, are currently thinking of upgrading the SGO chain to the TomoScand receivers. However, this can be only done if we have enough satellites in the sky. (Enough means at least one, preferably more.) Hence, we have been searching for signs of continuity of the Tsykada mission and possible other missions. Following a Russian internet source, we have understood that there will a set of launches for COSMOS satellites during 2014-15.  (We do not know the launch dates.) Hence, I feel personally that if there is even one flying satellite, we can do science with that and thus it would be sensible to upgrade the system. However, as resources are limited, we need to think this thoroughly. We'll keep you updated on our plans in the near future.

If anyone has information on any new dual-fequency beacon satellite missions in the near future, which we could use for TomoScand, please let us know!