Space and atmospheric physics on Svalbard: a case for continued incoherent scatter radar measurements under the cusp and in the polar cap boundary region

• Published in: Progress in Earth and Planetary Science
• Main Authors: Lisa Baddeley, Dag Lorentzen, Stein Haaland, Erkka Heino, Ingrid Mann, Wojciech Miloch, Kjellmar Oksavik, Noora Partamies, Andres Spicher, Juha Vierinen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2023
• Subjects: Ionosphere; Atmospheric science; Space weather; Cusp; Polar cap; Plasma turbulence; Geography. Anthropology. Recreation; G; Geology; QE1-996.5; Arctic; Longyearbyen; Svalbard; EISCAT
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-023-00585-9; https://doaj.org/article/d6034c1ba83c47129c8df33e3767470d

Abstract Incoherent scatter radars (ISRs) represent the only instrument (both ground and space based) capable of making high temporal and spatial resolution measurements of multiple atmospheric parameters—such as densities, temperatures, particle velocities, mass flux—over an altitude range covering the entire mesosphere/lower thermosphere/ionosphere (MLTI) system on a quasi-continuous basis. The EISCAT Svalbard incoherent scatter radar (ESR), located just outside Longyearbyen (78.15 $$^\circ$$ ∘ N) on Svalbard, is the only currently operating facility capable of making such measurements inside the polar cusp—an area of significant energy input into the atmosphere and characterized by heating instabilities and turbulence. The ESR was built in the mid-1990s and has provided valuable data for the international experimental and modelling communities. New radar technologies are now available, in the form of phased array systems, which offer new data products and operational flexibility. This paper outlines the achievements and current research focus of the ESR and provides scientific arguments, compiled from inputs across the international scientific community, for a new phased array ISR facility on Svalbard. In addition to the fundamental scientific arguments, the paper discusses additional benefits of continued ISR observations on Svalbard, building on the key findings of the ESR. Svalbard has a large network of complementary instrumentation both focused on the MLTI system (e.g. the Kjell Henriksen auroral Observatory, the Svalbard SuperDARN radar and the Svalrak sounding rocket launch facility) with synergies to other research fields, such as meteorology and oceanography. As a further holistic system science view of the Earth becomes more important, a new ISR on Svalbard will be important also in this respect with its ability to provide datasets with a wide range of scientific applications. Increased activity in space has highlighted problematic issues such as space debris. A changing Arctic has also seen ...