AUGO II: A comprehensive subauroral zone observatory

The annual fall AGU meeting is an interdisciplinary event drawing in a diverse group of people working in earth and space sciences. Our research encompasses space physics, namely electric currents and magnetic fields in space driven by the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field that cause the aurora borealis. Martin and I attended a ground based magnetometry workshop (Geospace Environment Modeling meeting -- GEM) immediately preceding the AGU meeting. This small, informal gathering brings space physics researchers who operate ground based magnetometer networks (like ourselves) up to date with current and upcoming research projects, some of which Martin may want to participate in. Of particular interest was the International Space Weather Meridian Circle Program, a Chinese initiative to build a global meridian magnetometer chain that will pass through portions of Canada. I presented a poster announcing the impending construction of a new science facility to study the aurora and other related solar-terrestrial phenomena. Most questions directed to my poster dealt with the basic details of our new observatory – where it will be built, when it will be built, will it be built (an important point), and what kinds of instrumentation will it host. Only one criticism was raised that questioned the wisdom of placing an optical observatory in Alberta, given the poor (cloudy) weather we have experienced over the past year. Perhaps more important is the networking aspect of attending such a high-profile conference. It is one of the few opportunities we have to meet with fellow research collaborators. For myself, it allows me to discuss some of the more technical aspects of our research activities, as well as look at new processes and technologies to further advance our research. Specifically, I met with our colleagues at UCLA who designed a web based data repository system (SPASE Tools), obtaining guidance on successfully implementing a web based virtual magnetic observatory (VMO). This is a system to share magnetic data and related metadata with similar SPASE compliant virtual observatories over the Internet. I also discussed with UCLA and others ways of expanding our metadata data set to include additional data not currently described by SPASE. This will be important once we start gathering optical and meteorological data from AUGO. From the earth and space science informatics sessions, I gathered that other research groups (particularly the Japanese IUGONET project) are expanding on the SPASE / VMO concept by developing a richer metadata dictionary (compatible with SPASE) that incorporates more diverse data types. I also had a chance to discuss with colleagues at University of Alberta our recent data sharing arrangement with the Canadian Space Science Data Portal (CSSDP). The education and public outreach sessions showed us some innovative work being done by other groups in putting optical and magnetic auroral data on the mobile web in the form of smartphone web apps. This is something that would be useful for our own observatory for science outreach and teaching, if time and manpower permits. Finally, AGU is one of the few opportunities where we can meet face to face with our Japanese research colleagues who use our data and/or have instruments stationed at AUGO. This is important because the Japanese have been one of the biggest supporters (users) of the AUGO observatory. What I have found given my attendance at two previous AGU meetings is their usefulness as networking events. The poster sessions in particular seem to be the most productive. We meet face to face with our research partners, find answers to questions (in my case, typically technical ones), and learn of new and innovative projects others in the field are doing. My main purpose was to publicize our new auroral observatory, AUGO II. The abstract is now published in the AGU scientific program, so the word is out there. As time goes on, we may find new researchers step forward wanting to know what our new facility has to offer, and hopefully partner with us.A new geophysical observatory dedicated to the study of the auroral borealis will be built 25 km southwest of the town of Athabasca, in Alberta, Canada. It is anticipated to see first light in the winter of 2010/2011 and be fully operational in the fall of 2011. Based on the highly successful Athabasca University Geophysical Observatory (AUGO), opened in 2002 at the Athabasca University campus in Athabasca, Alberta, AUGO II will have expanded observational capacity featuring up to eight climate-controlled domed observation suites in which to host optical instrumentation, on-site accommodation for up to six researchers, and most importantly, dark skies free of light pollution from urban development. AUGO II will share the same advantages as its predecessor, one being its location in central Alberta, allowing routine study of the subauroral zone, auroral oval studies during active times, and very rarely of the polar cap. It will share AUGO'S connection to good roads and infrastructure plus close proximity to the city of Edmonton, some 150 km away. Opportunities are open for guest researchers in space physics to conduct auroral studies at this new, state-of-the-art research facility through the installation of remotely controlled instruments and/or campaigns. An innovative program of instrument development will accompany the new observatory’s enhanced infrastructure with a focus on magnetics and H-beta meridian scanning photometry