North-South America Network of Magnetically Conjugate All-Sky Imagers
Abstract
The goal of this grant was to create a network of low light level optical imaging systems to study the behavior of the ionosphere and the types of upper atmosphere disturbances that lead to disruptions in radio communications and navigation systems used by DoD and civilian communities. The instruments were not purchased, but built at Boston University using commercially available components, with in house fabrication suitable for installation at selected observatories in the northern and southern hemispheres. The sites selected are linked by common geomagnetic field lines (so called magnetic conjugate point locations) a requirement for the space science objectives to be enabled by the instruments. Seven all sky imagers (ASIs) were fabricated and tested in the Imaging Science Laboratory of the Center for Space Physics at Boston University. Five of the sites selected are taking data (in Massachusetts, Columbia, Peru, Argentina and Antarctica), and two remain to be installed (North Carolina and South Africa). The logistical elements for the non US sites proved to be complex issues, each unique for that country, and that was the main reason for a no cost extension at the end of the initial two year grant. The final two instruments to be deployed will be accomplished in 2015 using funds made available through the Center for Space Physics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 02, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA616484
Entities
People
- Carlos Martinis
- J. Wroten
- Jeffrey Baumgardner
- Michael Mendillo
Organizations
- Boston University