Using satellite data to study space weather

What is Earth's magnetosphere?

Earth's magnetic field reaches far out into space and creates a region called the magnetosphere. This region protects our planet by deflecting energetic particles coming from the Sun. It's also home to many dynamic physical processes that follow the magnetic field down to Earth. We see some of these processes as the northern lights.

Scientists use the night sky like a projection screen to measure things like auroras, and to study the source of these phenomena happening out in our magnetosphere. Canada is a unique location to make these observations from the ground, with plenty of accessible land under the auroral oval, the region where auroras can be seen.

Studying space weather

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is supporting 13 Canadian research teams studying space weather. This will help us better understand it and be better equipped to predict and respond to its effects.

Space weather is the phenomenon that causes the northern lights, but can also have adverse effects, such as disrupting radio communications and satellite navigation signals, damaging electrical infrastructure on the ground and satellites in space, and even endangering trans-polar air travel.

In analyzing satellite data from Canadian and international satellites, combined with other tools, researchers will advance scientific knowledge and understanding of the physical processes occurring in geospace (the region of space closest to Earth), the causes of space weather, and its impacts on Earth.

What are researchers doing with satellite data?

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  Magnetosphere

  1. Verify ground-based observations of space weather with satellite data

  2. Model a ring of electric current in the inner magnetosphere

  3. Verify measurements made by satellites with an international network of ground-based radars

  4. Calibrate an innovative digital radar measuring the motion of the upper atmosphere

• 

  Threats to modern technology

  5. Simulate how ultra-low-frequency plasma waves in the magnetosphere interact with the upper atmosphere

  6. Investigate how and why high-energy particles escape from radiation belts

  7. Measure ion flow that can lead to interference to electrical power systems

• 

  Radio signals reflection

  8. Track radio reflections to forecast radio signal interruptions

  9. Study radio waves sent from ground-based radars to the CASSIOPE satellite

  10. Understand how space affects the use of radio links

  11. Add to measurements of electron density of the upper atmosphere

• 

  Global Positioning System (GPS) interruptions

  12. Predict GPS service reliability in the North

  13. Predict distortions in electron density that can interrupt GPS signals

Solar-terrestrial science project summaries

• 

  Magnetosphere

  ---

  These projects use ground-based observations in northern Canada to investigate physical processes happening deep in our magnetosphere.

  • 1. Verify ground-based observations of space weather with satellite data

    TREx Auroral Transport Model

    TREx is a network of auroral cameras and radio receivers spread across Canada designed to observe space weather. This project team is verifying the TREx model with measurements from satellites.

    Research team

    • Dr. Eric Donovan, University of Calgary (principal investigator)
    • Dr. Kristina Lynch, Dartmouth College
    • Dr. Yukitoshi Nishimura, Boston University
    • Dr. Christine Gabrielse, The Aerospace Corporation

  • 2. Model a ring of electric current in the inner magnetosphere

    Auroral Prediction of Energetic Electron Flux

    Using machine learning and ground-based observations, researchers are modelling ring-shaped electric current systems flowing through our inner magnetosphere.

    Research team

    • Dr. Emma Spanswick, University of Calgary (principal investigator)
    • Dr. Laleh Behjat, University of Calgary
    • Dr. Vania Jordanova, Los Alamos National Laboratory
    • Dr. Robyn Fiori, Natural Resources Canada

• 3. Verify measurements made by satellites with an international network of ground-based radars

  Multi-instrument Studies of Ionospheric Structures at Extreme High Latitudes

  An active part of the atmosphere, the ionosphere is full of electrons. These electrons were knocked off atoms by the Sun, turning atoms into ions and giving this region its name. Scientists are verifying satellite measurements of the density of the electrons up there, using an international network of ground-based radars called SuperDARN.

  Research team

  • Dr. Alexandre Koustov, University of Saskatchewan (principal investigator)
  • Dr. David Themens, University of New Brunswick
  • Dr. Glenn Hussey, University of Saskatchewan
  • Dr. Kathryn McWilliams, University of Saskatchewan
  • Dr. David Knudsen, University of Calgary

• 4. Calibrate an innovative digital radar measuring the motion of the upper atmosphere

  High-Resolution ICEBEAR E-region Investigations

  Radars can assess the motion of our upper atmosphere by measuring the signals that bounce off the waves in our upper atmosphere. This research team is calibrating ICEBEAR, an innovative Canadian digital radar located in northern Saskatchewan that can measure those signals.

  Research team

  • Dr. Jean-Pierre St. Maurice, University of Saskatchewan (principal investigator)
  • Dr. Kathryn McWilliams, University of Saskatchewan
  • Dr. Alexandre Koustov, University of Saskatchewan
  • Dr. Glenn Hussey, University of Saskatchewan
• 

  Threats to modern technology

  ---

  Space weather events can generate large electric currents and waves in our upper atmosphere, which can be a hazard to modern technology both on the ground and in orbit.

  These projects investigate space weather phenomena that could put modern technology at risk.

• 5. Simulate how low-frequency plasma waves in the magnetosphere interact with the upper atmosphere

  Ion Heating and Outflow

  Ultra-low-frequency plasma waves can heat up ions in our atmosphere, and launch them deeper into space. Atmospheric heating can increase density and drag at low-orbit altitudes, which is a risk for satellites being launched. This project team is simulating how these ultra-low-frequency plasma waves in our magnetosphere interact with the upper atmosphere.

  Research team

  • Dr. Robert Rankin, University of Alberta (principal investigator)
  • Dr. Frances Fenrich, University of Alberta
  • Dr. Alexander Degeling, Shandong University
  • Dr. Dmytro Sydorenko, University of Alberta

• 6. Investigate how and why high-energy particles escape from radiation belts

  Radiation Belt Acceleration & Loss Models

  Many high-energy particles are trapped by Earth's magnetic field, creating Van Allen radiation belts, and pose a threat to satellites flying through these regions. Scientists are investigating how and why high-energy particles escape from the Van Allen radiation belts.

  Research team

  • Dr. Ian Mann, University of Alberta (principal investigator)
  • Dr. Louis Ozeke, University of Alberta
  • Dr. Steven Morley, Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Dr. Lauren Blum, University of Colorado
  • Dr. Mark Clilverd, British Antarctic Survey

• 7. Measure ion flow that can lead to interference to electrical power systems

  Swarm High-Latitude Electrodynamics

  During extreme space weather, fast ion flows are accompanied by large currents that can interfere with electrical power systems on the ground. Researchers are measuring ion flow with high precision, using Canadian instruments on the European Space Agency's Swarm satellites.

  Research team

  • Dr. David Knudsen, University of Calgary (principal investigator)
  • Dr. Levan Lomidze, University of Calgary
  • Dr. Johnathan Burchill, University of Calgary
  • Dr. Alexandre Koustov, University of Saskatchewan
• 

  Radio signals reflection

  ---

  Many modern tools use high-frequency radio waves for communication and navigation. By reflecting those radio waves off our upper atmosphere, we can send and receive signals to and from distant places on Earth. But space weather events can distort our upper atmosphere, which disrupts those reflections and interrupts long-range communication.

  These projects explore how space weather affects our ability to reflect radio signals off our upper atmosphere.

  • 8. Track radio reflections to forecast radio signal interruptions

    Empirical Model of Shortwave Radio Propagation in the High-Latitude Ionosphere

    This research team is tracking radio reflections over the Canadian High Arctic with radars to help forecast interruptions in radio signals due to space weather.

    Research team

    • Dr. Kathryn McWilliams, University of Saskatchewan (principal investigator)
    • Dr. Jean-Pierre St. Maurice, University of Saskatchewan

  • 9. Study radio waves sent from ground-based radars to the CASSIOPE satellite

    Trans-ionospheric RRI Studies

    Researchers are studying radio waves sent from ground-based radars up to the CASSIOPE satellite. By tracking which waves pass through the upper atmosphere, researchers can infer which were reflected back to the ground.

    Research team

    • Dr. Glen Hussey, University of Saskatchewan (principal investigator)
    • Dr. Kathryn McWilliams, University of Saskatchewan
    • Dr. Alexandre Koustov, University of Saskatchewan
    • Dr. Andrew Yau, University of Calgary
    • Dr. Gareth Perry, New Jersey Institute of Technology

  • 10. Understand how space affects the use of radio links

    Inference of D-region Electron Density

    Scientists are mapping radio wave absorption across Canada using a network of radio receivers, called riometers, to study how space weather affects the use of radio links.

    Research team

    • Dr. Christopher Cully, University of Calgary (principal investigator)
    • Dr. Emma Spanswick, University of Calgary
    • Dr. Robyn Fiori, Natural Resources Canada

  • 11. Add to measurements of electron density of the upper atmosphere

    CHAIM Data Assimilation of SuperDARN

    This project team is taking a second look at radar signals that are typically discarded, filling some gaps in existing measurements of electron density of the upper atmosphere.

    Research team

    • Dr. David Themens, University of New Brunswick (principal investigator)
    • Dr. Thayyil Jayachandran, University of New Brunswick
    • Dr. Kathryn McWilliams, University of Saskatchewan
    • Dr. Chris Watson, University of New Brunswick
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  Global Positioning System (GPS) interruptions

  ---

  GPS receivers use signals sent from satellites. Changes in electron density in our upper atmosphere, which can be caused by extreme space weather, can alter those signals on their way to the ground and interrupt GPS service.

  The following projects explore when, how, and why space weather causes these interruptions.

  • 12. Predict GPS service reliability in the North

    Forecast Polar Ionosphere Plasma Irregularities

    Researchers are developing a forecast model to help predict the reliability of GPS service in the North.

    Research team

    • Dr. Chris Watson, University of New Brunswick (principal investigator)
    • Dr. Thayyil Jayachandran, University of New Brunswick
    • Dr. David Themens, University of New Brunswick
    • Dr. Anton Kashcheyev, University of New Brunswick
    • Dr. Gareth Perry, University of New Brunswick

  • 13. Predict distortions in electron density that can interrupt GPS signals

    Assimilative Model for Ionospheric Imaging

    Scientists are mapping and tracking electron density in the upper atmosphere over Canada to help predict distortions, which can interrupt GPS signals.

    Research team

    • Dr. Susan Skone, University of Calgary (principal investigator)
    • Dr. Emma Spanswick, University of Calgary
    • Dr. Robyn Fiori, Natural Resources Canada