Event A-111    2016 / 2017 Season

Research Objectives:
The ionosphere-thermosphere-magnetosphere (ITM) region of Earth's atmosphere, which is part of the larger geospace environment, is the portal through which the solar wind can enter and impact our planetary system. Though space weather research over the past decades has greatly increased our understanding of a wide variety of phenomena associated with ITM physics, the sum of these individual processes occurring in the geospace environment does not replicate the rich diversity and scope of this complex region. Thus, a more holistic approach to ITM research is necessary, one that integrates clustered instrumentation at multiple locations to simultaneously look at the interactions within the entire system. Using coordinated and collaborative instrumentation currently installed in Antarctica, researchers will study interrelated ITM phenomena observed at high latitudes with the goal of better understanding the energy transfer and modulation of the geospace system.

Field-Season Overview - McMurdo (MCM) Primary Goals:
 - Check on all Arrival Heights and SPA instrumentation and update firmware and data acquisition (DAQ) as needed.
 - Install a new photometer a dome at Arrival Heights [where the existing photometer is located].
 - Remove photometer currently sited at Arrival Heights.
 - Check the riometer system and repair as needed.
 - Train Research Associates to perform routine maintenance on the equipment.
 - Check on existing all-sky imagers.

Field-Season Overview - South Pole (SPA) Primary Goals:
 - Check on all instrumentation and update firmware and data acquisition (DAQ) as needed.
 - Install a new photometer in B2 [where the existing photometer is located].
 - Remove photometer currently sited in B2
 - Check the riometer system and repair as needed.
 - Train Research Associates to perform routine maintenance on the equipment.
 - Check on existing all-sky imagers.
 - Transfer GPS data.
 - Install Absolute Field Magnetometer .