P4 – Building Capacity in international Space Weather
Talks
P4 Fri 8/11 11:30-13:00, room Auditorium
Chairs: Chantale Damas, Antti Pulkkinen, Chigomeyzo Ngwira
(by session conveners)
Author(s): Amal Chandran
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado at Boulder
Abstract: The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado at Boulder (UCB) pioneered CubeSat technologies in 2012 with the launch of the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE). The CSSWE mission had extensive student participation through graduate courses offered by the UCB Aerospace engineering department. The CSSWE mission provided excellent space weather data resulting in more than 25 peer reviewed publications. LASP has subsequently built on the success of CSSWE and has now completed another seven CubeSat missions successfully returning science data from all of them. LASP also has another 8 missions currently in development. The primary space weather related missions include NASA’s Solar Coronal Emission Tracker (SunCET) mission which provides a solar imager tracking Coronal Mass Emissions from the Sun, NASA’s Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment (CIRBE) which looks at energetic particles in the radiation belts from Low Earth Orbit etc. LASP’s capacity building and teaching efforts developed through the CSSWE mission led to the development of the International Satellite Program in Research and Education (INSPIRE), a consortium of space faring universities coming together to develop space science missions. INSPIREsat-1, the first mission in the INSPIRE series of satellites is a space weather mission providing solar X-Ray flare data and ionospheric density measurements. In this presentation, I shall talk about capacity building programs at LASP, lessons learnt on how to develop a sustainable program and why space weather measurements are an ideal choice for capacity building efforts.
Author(s): Maria Graciela Molina, Yenca Migoya Orue, Keith Groves, Bruno Nava, Sharafat Gadimova
FACET-UNT/CONICET/INGV; ICTP; Boston College; ICTP; United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
Abstract: In recent years, both machine learning (ML) and space weather (SWx) have garnered significant interest from the scientific community and the general public, establishing themselves as hot topics. Consequently, there has been an exponential increase in publications exploring various Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques applied to the study and applications of space weather.
However, applying AI to space weather presents numerous technical challenges. These include managing large data sizes, ensuring data availability and quality, developing advanced algorithms and software tools, addressing the complexities of different spatial and temporal scales in SWx, challenges related with imbalanced datasets (e.g., accurately representing extreme space weather events), dealing with heterogenetic data that often must be combined (e.g. solar images, solar and geomagnetic indexes, ground based measurements, derived data, etc.), among many more.
As a result, students and researchers often encounter complex scientific questions plus additional technical skills that are typically not covered in standard coursework. In this context, we aim to outline the goals and challenges for developing an international school on machine learning applied to space weather. We will draw from past experiences, lessons learned, and discuss our next steps.
Author(s): Daniel Okoh, John Bosco Habarulema, Babatunde Rabiu, Claudio Cesaroni, Mpho Tshisaphungo, Bruno Nava, Yenca Migoya-Orué, Andrew Nyawade, Paul Baki, Joseph Olwendo, Keith Groves, Sharafat Gadimova
Istituto Nazionale Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Roma, Italy; South African National Space Agency (SANSA), P.O Box 32, Hermanus 7200, South Africa; United Nations African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education – English (UN-ARCSSTE-E), Obafemi Awolowo University Campus, Ile Ife, Nigeria; Istituto Nazionale Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Roma, Italy; South African National Space Agency (SANSA), P.O Box 32, Hermanus 7200, South Africa; STI, The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Strada Costiera, 11 – I34151 Trieste, Italy; STI, The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Strada Costiera, 11 – I34151 Trieste, Italy; Kenya Space Agency, Nairobi, Kenya; Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya; Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya; Boston College, Institute for Scientific Research, Kenny Cottle Hall 207A, 885 Centre St., Newton, MA 02459, USA; Office for Outer Space Affairs, United Nations Office at Vienna, Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 500, Wagramerstrasse 5, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Abstract: The increasing reliance on space-based technologies and the susceptibility of these systems to space weather phenomena necessitate the development of robust space weather monitoring and response capabilities. The presentation will focus on discussing some viable capacity building activities in the field of space weather for African students and researchers, aiming to enhance the continent’s ability to predict, mitigate, and respond to space weather impacts. The initiatives encompass comprehensive training programs, establishment of regional space weather monitoring centers, and collaboration with international space agencies and research institutions. Some of such activities include the University Support Program (USP) of the Space Environment Research Laboratory (SERL) for Nigerian postgraduate students, the SCOSTEP Visiting Scholar (SVS) Program at different African institutions, the New Observatory for Real-time Ionospheric Sounding over Kenya (NORISK) activities, ICTP African Space Weather Capacity Building Workshops, the International Colloquium on Equatorial and Low Latitude Ionosphere (ICELLI), the Pan-African School for Emerging Astronomers (PASEA), the National Astrophysics and Space Science Program (NASSP), and various space weather capacity building activities across National Space Agencies in Africa. By fostering local expertise and infrastructure, these activities strive to reduce vulnerabilities, promote scientific advancements, and ensure the resilience of technological systems in Africa against space weather disturbances.
Author(s): Minna Palmroth
University of Helsinki
Abstract: While the operational readiness for space weather predictions is improving, two interlinked issues are crucial in building space weather prediction and mitigation capacity. These are 1) developing the next generation of space weather scientists, and 2) keeping the preparedness officials informed of the potential impact that might occur on the regions where they are in charge of the safety. This contribution highlights training and stakeholder relations campaigns carried out in Finland recently. We will introduce the systematic efforts in team-building starting from student programmes to recruiting international top talent. In these efforts, the key is to offer meaningful ways in which an individual can contribute to a greater good, personal mentoring, and coaching careers. The meaningful contributions are often routed in curiosity-driven top notch research, and interest from the higher government officials and the preparedness community. Hence, the second aspect we will highlight is the tremendously impactful stakeholder campaign we planned and carried out, reaching to highest government representatives to the local authorities during a Research Council of Finland CARRINGTON project (2020-2023). This campaign mostly consisted of table top exercises and educational seminars tailored towards each stakeholder. As a result, the Finnish key node point, the National Emergency Supply Agency, is aware of the potential hazards and also possible mitigation measures. A special highlight from these stakeholder efforts is the improved understanding of hidden vulnerabilities, as new impacts that we were not aware of emerged in these interactions, indicating that these relations may also improve scientific understanding. These two interlinked aspects of capacity building – training and stakeholder relations – emphasise the importance of human interactions in delivering future space weather services.
Author(s): Carlos Gabriel
COSPAR, A&A
Abstract: Scientific data preserved in public archives and analysis tools, freely accessible to anyone in the world, form the fundamental practical element around which COSPAR (Committee on SPAce Research) has structured its Capacity Building (CB) initiative for developing countries. Workshops of regional character have been carried out for more than two decades in all space science disciplines. These courses help to make it possible to do science in various areas at the highest level in these countries, in a lasting and sustainable way, without any investment other than good computer equipment and a moderate Internet connection. Several of the workshops organised in this framework have been specifically dedicated to Space Weather, in countries such as Romania, Ethiopia, Brazil, Russia and this year in Uzbekistan in the second half of August. Together with more focused workshops on solar physics, the ionosphere and the magnetosphere, three closely linked topics, they make space weather a major focus of our Programme. In addition, this year we have started a new programme based on the implementation of Small Satellites in international collaborations with the main objective of assisting the establishment of university laboratories in developing countries. As pilot project of this new Initiative, a team of students from the National University of Engineering (UNI) of Lima, Peru, is participating in a 10-week Summer School in the USA working practically on the development of two Small Satellite projects, COSPAR-1 and COSPAR-2, dedicated to the study of terrestrial and lunar space weather respectively. I will report on our CB initiative in general, with a special focus on Space Weather and this year’s results and prospects.
Author(s): Yang He, Ariane Marchese, Chris Tandoi
City College of New York of the City University of New York; Columbia University; University of Illinois
Abstract: Capacity building presentations have always focused on organizations and institutions that create and develop space-weather training activities for communities around the globe. Capacity building and educational activities such as internships, workshops, schools, and deployment of space weather instruments, have primarily focused on educating students, both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as early career scientists. Space weather topics taught have focused on the solar interior to the surface of Earth. This talk will primarily present the perspectives of students as participants of capacity building and educational activities, and how they have benefited from these training in their academic careers.
Panelists: Amal Chandran, Maria Graciela Molina, Daniel Okoh, Minna Palmroth, Carlos Gabriel, Yang He
Posters
Posters II Display Thu 7/11 – Fri 8/11, room C1A – Aeminium
Authors in attendance: Thu 7/11 10:15–11:30, 15:15-16:15; Fri 8/11 10:15–11:30
Author(s): Lucilla Alfonsi, Claudio Cesaroni, Daniel Okoh, Joseph Olwendo, Luca Spogli, Michael Pezzopane, Enrico Zuccheretti, Carlo Marcocci, Emanuele Pica, Alessio Pignalberi, Vincenzo Romano
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia; United Nations African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education – English, UN-ARCSSTE-E, Obafemi Awolowo University Campus, Ile Ife, Nigeria; 3Institute for Space Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria; 4Pwani University, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Department of Physics, Kenya; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia
Abstract: The Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) established a framework agreement in 2017 on research activities for the study of Sun-Earth relations and development of Space Weather monitoring. In this context, the New Observatory for Real-time Ionospheric Sounding over Kenya (NORISK, http://norisk.rm.ingv.it/) project was funded. The general objective of the NORISK project is to make the Broglio Space Centre in Malindi (Kenya) a point of reference in Africa and to contribute to the development of the knowledge supporting Space Weather in the Kenyan scientific community.
In July 2023, an Advanced Ionospheric Sounder (AIS)-INGV ionosonde and a GNSS receiver for ionospheric scintillation monitoring have been installed in Malindi (3.1° S, 40.1° E). This new installation is extremely important for two main reasons: 1) it fills a gap in terms of data coverage over the African region; 2) it is located just under the through/southern crest of the equatorial ionization anomaly. This presentation will discuss the importance of corresponding data in relation to various topics: vertical drift, sporadic E layer, multiple stratification of the F layer, slab thickness, comparison with the output of IRI an IRTAM and consequent importance for assimilative models.
Author(s): Prospery C. Simpemba, Chigomezyo Ngwira
Copperbelt University; Catholic University of America
Abstract: We present efforts being implemented in advancing space weather training and capacity building for both academics and students in Zambia. As an emerging field, we seek to impart new skills in the researchers and students. Collaboration with Boston College, the Copperbelt University, the University of Zambia, Kwame Nkrumah University and the Physics Society of Zambia has provided a network of instruments and science data that students and researchers use to investigate effects of space weather. A great effort has been put forth to build capacity in this field by undertaking curriculum review, aiming to introduce and or strengthen the physics offering in order to offer courses that sufficiently train students in space weather skills. We have gone further to organise, in partnership with the International Space Weather Initiative, a school on space weather. This attracted students from over eight countries. Undergraduate student projects have been undertaken using space weather data locally generated. This has been one way to ensure that our graduates are able to collect and interpret space weather data.
Key words: space weather, capacity building, curriculum review
Author(s): Chantale Damas, Chigomezyo Ngwira, Antti Pulkkinen, Barbara J. Thompson
Queensborough Community College of CUNY; The Catholic University of America & NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Abstract: For almost a decade, the Queensborough Community College (QCC) of the City University of New York (CUNY) and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GFSC) have been successfully building capacity in space weather by jointly engaging undergraduate students in space weather research and educational activities. Engaging undergraduate students in space weather research and education activities have the following broader impacts: 1) long-term integration of space weather into the undergraduate curricula, thus exposing students early to research in their academic careers; 2) increasing students’ interests in and motivation to study STEM, as well as preparing them for choosing a career path in space science and related fields; 3) training a new generation of students entering space science workforce with the capacity to look at a problem from an interdisciplinary approach—physics, engineering and policy; and 4) collaborating with both research scientists and student peers globally to contribute toward improving the understanding, monitoring, prediction, and mitigation of space weather in an era of increased dependence on modern technology, and increase in human space exploration activities beyond LEO. The strength of this partnership lies in the diversity of talent and expertise that exist among partners. This combined effort has broadened the knowledge base, support, and mentorship that are accessible to all participants. This unique partnership continues to build capacity in space weather through the training of the next generation of STEM students and their eventual entry into the STEM workforce. This talk will describe approaches, as well as present best strategies that are used by partners to both attract and retain students in space science and related fields.
Author(s): Antti Pulkkinen
NASA GSFC
Abstract: The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Heliophysics Science Division (HSD) vision is “To discover and innovate in heliophysics for the benefit of those on Earth and those exploring the solar system.” HSD conducts research on the Sun, its extended solar-system environment (the heliosphere), and interactions of Earth, other planets, small bodies, and interstellar gas with the heliosphere. Division research also encompasses geospace — Earth’s uppermost atmosphere, the ionosphere, and the magnetosphere — and the changing environmental conditions throughout the coupled heliosphere. Scientists in the HSD develop models, spacecraft missions and instruments, and systems to manage and disseminate heliophysical data. They interpret and evaluate data gathered from instruments, draw comparisons with computer simulations and theoretical models, and publish the results. The Division also conducts education and public outreach programs to communicate the excitement and social value of NASA heliophysics.
Space weather is a major part of HSD activities and the Division is the home for entities such as Community Coordinated Modeling Center and Moon to Mars Space Weather Analysis Office. HSD is also developing HERMES instruments that will be flown on Lunar Gateway. HSD scientists work in close collaboration with federal partner organizations such as NOAA, USGS and Air Force to help transition the latest scientific information into space weather operations. HSD scientists are also supporting many of the National Space Weather Action Plan goals and play significant role in a variety of international space weather efforts. In this talk, we will discuss our scientific and space weather priorities as we well as give an update about our many capacity building activities that pertain to space weather, including those associated with NASA’s Artemis effort.
Author(s): Sharafat Gadimova
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
Abstract: The International Space Weather Initiative was launched in 2009 and has developed research capacities in the scientific disciplines of sun-Earth relations and space weather in many countries around the world. The Initiative has established a platform that takes a bottom-up approach in order to produce space weather-literate communities, in particular in developing countries, enabling those communities to work together as a network to share ideas, information and data and to develop joint projects.
There are currently 19 instrument arrays worldwide, with close to 1,045 such instruments deployed that record data on solar-terrestrial interaction, from coronal mass ejections to variations in the total electron content of the ionosphere.
The Initiative has enabled scientists to use global navigation satellite system data in studies on space weather. These data have brought together scientists from various disciplines (such as seismology, the ionosphere and the atmosphere) to work in the field of space weather and have made it possible to apply the fundamental physics of Sun-Earth relations to everyday life, which is of great importance to policymakers.
The Initiative consists of three elements: (a) the instrument array programme to operate and deploy space weather instruments; (b) the data coordination and analysis programme to develop predictive models using Initiative data; and (c) training, education and public outreach programmes.
Author(s): Enrico Camporeale, Thomas Berger
University of Colorado; University of Colorado
Abstract: The majority of current operational space weather products rely on a 30-year-old paradigm, assuming that the extremely complex heliosphere-magnetosphere system can be accurately modeled using the laws of physics for forecasting purposes.
That paradigm has proven wrong. As a result, the global space weather forecasting capabilities have not significantly improved over the decades.
It cannot be done and, as a result, the worldwide space weather forecasting capability is not much better than it was decades ago.
A new paradigm is emerging, centered around modern data-driven methods such as machine learning (ML) and data assimilation.
ML-based models have demonstrated superiority in nearly every aspect of space weather forecasting. The international community now faces the challenge of acquiring the necessary knowledge to adopt and excel in this new paradigm. Additionally, the introduction of ML-based products requires a re-evaluation of the outdated R2O2R funnel.
We showcase successful examples of ML-based products developed at the University of Colorado Deep Learning Lab.
Author(s): Kamen Kozarev, Rositsa Miteva, Momchil Dechev, Oleg Stepanyuk, Mohamed Nedal, Artem Epifanov
Institute of Astronomy and National Astronomical Observatory, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Institute of Astronomy and National Astronomical Observatory, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Institute of Astronomy and National Astronomical Observatory, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Institute of Astronomy and National Astronomical Observatory, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Institute of Astronomy and National Astronomical Observatory, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Institute of Astronomy and National Astronomical Observatory, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Abstract: Space weather, studying its aspects, and its forecasting has become very important for the science and operational communities in recent years, due to the expansion of space operations. This is also evident on the governmental and international level, with the recent Artemis Accords and the renewed goal of solar system exploration exhibited by many nations and bodies. The Heliophysics and Space Weather group at the Institute of Astronomy and NAO at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is undertaking significant effort in research and development of space weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities to address both national and international needs. We outline the current and planned features of our space weather system, including our own solar observations, solar energetic particle forecasting and solar feature tracking with artificial intelligence methods.
Author(s): Mpho Tshisaphungo, Tshimangadzo Merline Matamba, John Bosco Habarulema, Rendani Nndanganeni, Daniel Okoh
South African National Space Agency; South African National Space Agency; South African National Space Agency; South African National Space Agency; United Nations African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education – English (UN-ARCSSTE-E), Obafemi Awolowo University Campus, Ile Ife, Nigeria
Abstract: The importance of developing capabilities, strategies and mitigation plans around space weather lies in the global trend for dependence on technological systems for economic vitality and national security. Space weather can disrupt technological systems, and poses an increasing risk to infrastructure, including but not limited to satellite and airline operations, communications networks, navigation systems, power grid, oil and gas pipelines. As global economies and individual nations become ever more dependent on these technologies, space weather poses an increasing risk to infrastructure and the economy. The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has developed a regional capability to monitor and forecast space weather as well as prioritising research projects that enhance the modelling ability of the centre. This paper will discuss how SANSA has utilised its space weather flagship project to build capacity and capability through training and skills development within the region. The focus will be on SANSA as an ICAO regional space weather centre provider and the roadmap to becoming a 24/7 operational centre. International collaboration is important in establishing a domestic operational capability to ensure that current and future technologies are protected from extreme space weather events.
Author(s): Chris Watson, PT Jayachandran, Anton Kashcheyev, David Themens, Richard Langley, Torsten Reuschel, Karim Meziane, Abdelhaq Hamza, Alex Koloskov, Richard Chadwick, Philippe Trottier
University of New Brunswick; University of New Brunswick; University of New Brunswick; University of Birmingham; University of New Brunswick; University of New Brunswick; University of New Brunswick; University of New Brunswick; University of New Brunswick; University of New Brunswick; University of New Brunswick
Abstract: Space Weather Ionospheric Network Canada (SWINCan) is a pan-Canadian remote sensing network that provides continuous, near-real-time ionospheric monitoring spanning polar, auroral, and sub-auroral regions in the northern hemisphere. This modernized network is an expansion of the Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN), operated by the Radio and Space Physics Laboratory (RSPL) at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and currently one of the world’s largest ionospheric observation networks. SWINCan operates 28 global navigation satellite system (GNSS) scintillation monitors and 10 high frequency (HF) ionosonde sounders and is currently undergoing a major expansion to 128 GNSS systems and 20 HF sounders by 2026. This expansion includes development and deployment of specialized, next-generation modular ionospheric sounders (MODIS) that feature stand-alone and oblique ionosonde-mode operations, as well as interdependent experiment capabilities with other ground and spaceborne radio systems. MODIS systems were designed and developed by RSPL for operation in harsh, remote environments such as the Arctic and onboard satellites, and include multi-channel, fully remote-controlled operations.
SWINCan capitalizes on Canada’s geographic expanse and proximity to the northern magnetic pole, which provides a unique natural laboratory for the fundamental study of solar-terrestrial interactions. This network observes the multi-scale structure and dynamics of the high-latitude ionosphere with unprecedented detail, providing essential measurements to resolve the internal and geospace coupling processes that drive this complex behaviour. SWINCan also provides essential input for enhancing 3D modeling capabilities of ionospheric plasma density, and for mitigating the effects of space weather on modern technological systems such as position, navigation, and timing (PNT), radio communication, and over-the-horizon-radar, services critical to social, military, science, and major economic sectors.
Author(s): Fred Joe Nambala, Rekha Rajan, Steven Mudenda, Onesmus Munyati
University of Zambia; University of Zambia; University of Zambia; University of Zambia
Abstract: Space science has over the years become more and more important in various fields such as telecommunications, weather forecasting, and navigation systems. Africa currently has inadequate human resource and infrastructure to maximise potential gains from space science and its associated technologies. A scan across Africa shows insufficient training programmes in the fields of space science and technology that can provide the necessary skilled manpower. It is therefore imperative to develop training programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels to address this gap. A cadre of professionals at postgraduate level is important for the advancement of scientific research. Given the various inadequacies highlighted, a collaborative effort to develop training programmes for capacity building across Africa is necessary. Such collaboration involves curriculum development and standardisation, credit transferability, and mobility among staff and students. This is in line with the African Space Policy and Strategy whose goals are to create a well-coordinated and integrated African Space Programme, that is globally competitive but responsive to the needs of the continent. In this paper we present the strategies for design, development and implementation of training programmes across a consortium of African countries under the FAST4Future project.
Keywords: Capacity building, Space science and technology, FAST4Future, Curriculum development.
Author(s): Ivan Dorotovic, Simon Mackovjak, Ján Rybak, Fridrich Valach
Slovak Central Observatory, Hurbanovo, Slovak Republic; Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Kosice, Slovak Republic; Astronomical Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Tatranska Lomnica, Slovak Republic; Earth Science Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Geomagnetic Observatory in Hurbanovo, Slovak Republic
Abstract: Space weather research in Slovakia is performed at 4 leading institutions: (1) Astronomical Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Tatranska Lomnica (Department of Solar Physics); (2) Institute of Experimental Physics SAS, Kosice (Department of Space Physics); (3) Earth Science Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava (Division of Geophysics, Geomagnetic Observatory in Hurbanovo); (4) Slovak Central Observatory in Hurbanovo (Research and Observational Department). This contribution presents the main research fields and related projects and activities performed in Slovakia.
Author(s): Martínez Picar, Antonio, Marqué, Christophe
SIDC – Royal Observatory of Belgium; SIDC – Royal Observatory of Belgium
Abstract: The Small Phased Array Demonstrator, developed by the Solar Influences Data Analysis Center of the Royal Observatory of Belgium, is an advanced radio telescope designed to monitor solar activity within the 20 to 80 MHz frequency range. Using software-defined radio technology, the system achieves beamforming to control a total of eight array element antennas. Initial observations have produced promising results, suggesting that the system has the potential to significantly enhance our understanding of radio emissions associated with solar activity.
Author(s): Dániel Martini
Swedish Institute of Space Physics
Abstract: The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) is a leading space research institute, recognized both in Europe and globally. IRF conducts research in space and atmospheric physics and the advancement of space technology. Understanding fundamental processes is crucial for comprehending space weather, which is increasingly vital for maintaining a functional society.
IRF’s research is organized into three science programs and locations, which comprise most of Sweden’s latitudinal range: Solar, Terrestrial, and Atmospheric Research (STAR) in Kiruna, Umeå, Uppsala and Lund; the Solar System Physics and Space Technology Program (SSPT) in Kiruna; and the Space Plasma Physics Program (RPF) in Uppsala. The institute also have an observatory program: the Kiruna Atmospheric and Geophysical Observatory (KAGO), providing both nowcast data and long-term processed data sets to researchers worldwide.
The space weather activities are conducted within all four programs. KAGO collect data from ground-based observations. STAR analyses solar, solar wind and geomagnetic data related to space weather hazards and develop and operate forecast models using machine learning. SSPT build space instruments related to spaceweather monitoring. Finally, RPF, advances the scientific understanding of space weather by analysing observations and models and focuses on ICME dynamics, their interaction with the magnetosphere, magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, ionospheric physics, and geomagnetically induced currents.
A dedicated space weather group coordinates IRF’s space weather initiatives across all the research programs and observatory operations. This poster will highlight these activities, from observations, fundamental and applied research to the development and implementation of space weather models for operations.
Author(s): Gianalfredo Nicolini, Davide Loreggia, Silvano Fineschi, G. Capobianco, L. Zangrilli, F. Landini, V. Caracci, M. Pancrazzi
INAF-OATo; INAF-OATo; INAF-OATo; INAF-OATo; INAF-OATo; INAF-OATo; INAF-OATo; INAF-OATo
Abstract: The Optical Payload Systems (OPSys) facility is a controlled environment laboratory of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) designed and engineered for the integration and testing of contamination sensitive optical space flight instrumentation.
The facility was realized especially for testing solar instruments like coronagraphs with a solar source in combination with an off-axis parabolic mirror collimating the light to have the same solar angular divergence. This makes the OPSys unique in Europe with only another equivalent in the world at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington.