Collaborative Research: NSFGEO-NERC:Conjugate Experiment to Investigate Sources of High-Latitude Magnetic Perturbations in Coupled Solar Wind-Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Ground System

Space Science Institute, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

Space weather can disrupt satellite operations, communications, navigation, and electric power systems by producing rapid magnetic disturbances that can drive geomagnetically induced currents. This project will operate, maintain, and expand a high-latitude network of autonomous magnetometers in both hemispheres. These instruments measure changes in Earth’s magnetic field, helping scientists track how energy from the Sun is transferred through near-Earth space and into the upper atmosphere. The resulting observations will improve understanding and forecasting of space weather impacts, including events connected to the 2021 solar eclipse. The project will also support student training and broaden access to polar geospace research. Measurements of surface magnetic field perturbations are important for characterizing the coupled solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere–ground (SWMIG) system that can affect critical infrastructure through geomagnetically induced currents. This project will leverage a network of closely-spaced magnetically-conjugate magnetometers in Antarctica and in the Northern Hemisphere near the 40° magnetic meridian to provide unprecedented coverage of the auroral zone/cusp in both hemispheres simultaneously. The team intends to identify how magnetosphere–ionosphere current systems couple to high-latitude ground magnetic perturbations and to quantify the roles of current-system spatial scale, inhomogeneous ionospheric conductivity, and inhomogeneous ground conductivity. By combining British Antarctic Survey, Technical University of Denmark, and NSF-supported magnetometers, these data will enable novel experiments to isolate key drivers of ground magnetic perturbations. This award was made possible through the NSF/GEO-UKRI/NERC lead agency opportunity. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.