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Automated observatories for geospace research in polar regions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 May 2004

J.R. Dudeney ,
R.I. Kressman  and
A.S. Rodger
J.R. Dudeney
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
R.I. Kressman
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
A.S. Rodger
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
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Abstract

The specification, development and deployment of an automated observatory designed to operate unattended for a year in the extreme climatic conditions of the polar regions is presented. Solar- and wind-powered electric generators are used to charge lead/acid batteries to provide a nominal 100 W of electrical power for operating scientific sensors. The equipment is housed in a highly insulated caboose (3m by 2m by 2m). The temperature in the latter is regulated using a unique thermal control system which utilizes the latent heat of 500 l of water stored in 25-l plastic containers. Data are logged to optical disks for collection once per year. The observatory is designed to be air-deployed using a DHC-6 aircraft. The paper discusses the rationale for designing such automated systems, the operational experience gained from several years of operation, and the application of a network of observatories to solar-terrestrial physics research.

Keywords

Antarcticautomatic observatorygeospacewind power
Type
Papers—Atmospheric Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , June 1998 , pp. 192 - 203
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 1998

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