| NSF Org: |
OPP Office of Polar Programs (OPP) |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 14, 2013 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | June 14, 2016 |
| Award Number: | 1245914 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Vladimir Papitashvili
vpapita@nsf.gov (703)292-7425 OPP Office of Polar Programs (OPP) GEO Directorate For Geosciences |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2013 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2018 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $230,958.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $230,958.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2014 = $56,820.00 FY 2015 = $58,024.00 FY 2016 = $59,264.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
410 S 3RD ST RIVER FALLS WI US 54022-5010 (715)425-3195 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
410 South Third Street River Falls WI US 54022-5010 |
| Primary Place of Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | Advanced Tech Education Prog |
| Primary Program Source: |
04001415DB NSF Education & Human Resource 04001516DB NSF Education & Human Resource 04001617DB NSF Education & Human Resource |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.050, 47.078 |
ABSTRACT
This award focuses on a specific research program that will be using data from the neutron monitor at McMurdo (which will be then moved to Jang Bogo) and from other worldwide locations. The research program is based on a unique southward cosmic rays "viewing direction" of the subject monitor for comprehensive analyses of individual solar events by measuring three dimensional distribution functions of solar energetic particles. The long and complete database acquired by the McMurdo monitor over 50+ years also plays an important role in the studies of historical trends in "solar modulation" of galactic cosmic rays and the influence of solar magnetic activity on the radiation input into the Earth's atmosphere. The recent deep solar minimum and slow recovery to the maximum are unprecedented for the potentially new era in the studies of the Sun. To ensure continuity of the McMurdo long-term dataset, it is proposed to move the monitor to the new Korean station Jang Bogo, which is located in Terra Nova Bay and has the viewing direction nearly identical to that of McMurdo. Solid science, international partners, and travel to Antarctica provide an ideal opportunity to achieve excellent education and outreach goals. By providing undergraduates and two-year college students with Antarctic research experience, the proposal demonstrates how a future generation of scientists can make meaningful contributions to the cutting-edge research.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The neutron monitor originally at McMurdo Station is arguably the longest continuously running science instrument in Antarctica. Neutron monitors measure low energy cosmic rays and can be used to study solar storms. The mechanisms that produce solar storms and accelerate particles are still an open science question. A more immediate concern is the damage that can be done during intense solar storms to electronics and electrical systems on Earth. A better understanding of the number and energy of the particles produced in extreme solar storms could help preparations to deal with these types of events.
The building that housed the neutron monitor at McMurdo Station, CosRay, is scheduled to be closed and removed. We developed and carried out a plan to move the neutron monitor to the new Korean station, Jang Bogo, which has a viewing direction nearly identical to that of McMurdo. The goal was to ensure continuity of the data set, important for studies of the historical trends in solar modulation, the influence of solar magnetic activity on cosmic ray fluxes and radiation input to the Earth's atmosphere.
An important Broader Impacts goal of this project was to provide extensive research experiences for undergraduate students, targeting those from two-year colleges. There were four deployments, one each season starting November 2014, with a total of five undergraduates. Two students were from two-year colleges, and the other three were UWRF physics students----a Marine veteran in the UWRF McNair program, and two women. Additional neutron monitor research experiences were provided during ten-week summer internships at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
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Last Modified: 12/05/2018
Modified by: James M Madsen
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UWRF students Dylan Frikken and Samantha Pedek with Korean graduate student Jongjil Jung and PolarTREC teacher Eric Thuma in the CosRay lab. The chart recorders used to record data in the early years are in the foreground.Jim MadsenJames M MadsenThe CosRay Lab -
PolarTREC teacher Eric Thuma moving a 200 pound lead ring from a neutron monitor section. Each of the two sections contained 10 tons of lead that had to be crated for shipping.Jim MadsenRoyalty-free (unrestricted use)James M MadsenDismantling a neutron monitor section -
From left to right, Dylan Frikken (UWRF), Eric Thuma (PolarTREC teacher), and Samantha Pedek (UWRF) at McMurdo Station, January 2017Jim MadsenJames M MadsenUWRF Team -
UWRF professor Jim Madsen and student Laura Moon repair a neutron monitor tube during the 2015-16 season.Robert ZillRoyalty-free (unrestricted use)James M MadsenRepairing a neutron monitor tube -
University of Delaware Professor Paul Evenson and two-year college (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) student Sam Gardner on the walk back from the CosRay Laboratory, November 2014Jim MadsenJames M MadsenThe walk to CosRay Lab -
University of Northern Illinois and College of DuPage student Robert Zill and University of Wisconsin professor Jim Madsen and student Laura Moon at the CosRay Lab site, January 2016Robert ZillRoyalty-free (unrestricted use)James M Madsen2015-16 UWRF Team
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