Ground-based Observations of the Polar Region Space Environment

• Published in: Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• Main Authors: Hyuck-Jin Kwon, Changsup Lee, Geonhwa Jee, Young-Bae Ham, Jeong-Han Kim, Yong Ha Kim, Khan-Hyuk Kim, Qian Wu, Terence Bullett6, Suyeon Oh, Young-Sil Kwak
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Korean Space Science Society 2018
• Subjects: polar upper atmosphere; Jang Bogo Station (JBS); Astronomy; QB1-991; Antarctic; Bogo; Terra Nova Bay; Antarc*; Antarctica; Korea Polar Research Institute
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5140/JASS.2018.35.3.185; https://doaj.org/article/67f1e0714cfe43ef844cdb2d4b87afbd

Jang Bogo Station (JBS), the second Korean Antarctic research station, was established in Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica (74.62°S 164.22°E) in February 2014 in order to expand the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) research capabilities. One of the main research areas at JBS is space environmental research. The goal of the research is to better understand the general characteristics of the polar region ionosphere and thermosphere and their responses to solar wind and the magnetosphere. Ground-based observations at JBS for upper atmospheric wind and temperature measurements using the Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI) began in March 2014. Ionospheric radar (VIPIR) measurements have been collected since 2015 to monitor the state of the polar ionosphere for electron density height profiles, horizontal density gradients, and ion drifts. To investigate the magnetosphere and geomagnetic field variations, a search-coil magnetometer and vector magnetometer were installed in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Since JBS is positioned in an ideal location for auroral observations, we installed an auroral all-sky imager with a color sensor in January 2018 to study substorms as well as auroras. In addition to these observations, we are also operating a proton auroral imager, airglow imager, global positioning system total electron content (GPS TEC)/scintillation monitor, and neutron monitor in collaboration with other institutes. In this article, we briefly introduce the observational activities performed at JBS and the preliminary results of these observations.