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January 13th, 2008
SCIFER 2 (Sounding of the Cleft Ion Fountain Energization Region Two)
Saturday January 13, 2008 Update
This is twelfth update for SCIFER 2 collaborators and friends participating in the SCIFER 2 campaign. If you do not wish to be included in these emails, please ask to be removed from future mailings
Breaking news:
The twelfth count was held on Sunday January 13, 2008 with the window opening at 0500 UT. The ground winds at Andoya Rocket Range were marginal but favorable. During most of the window there was moderate auroral activity but the intensity failed to produce the ion upflows required for the science conditions. The window closed at 1020 UT.The next count down begins at 0300 UT (0400 Norway time). Science station time is 0230 UT (0330 Norway time) at UNIS IPY room. A decision will be made whether to stay in town or to proceed to the KHO Auroral Observatory. The forecast tomorrow is for -14 C and snow. The decision has been made to take Tuesday off to accommodate work rules.
Local color: A special quest visits the KHO Auroral Observatory on Tuesday the day which we must take off according to work rules. You can read about the guest at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Sonja_of_Norway . Attached is a picture of the Observatory before the sun disappeared.
Space Weather Conditions
The space weather conditions were improved today with. The solar wind velocity was slowly decreasing from 500 km/s to 450 km/s but the density increased from 1/cm^3 to (/cm^3 while the magnetic field was 5-6 nT. The STEREO B satellite indicates that the solar wind will be variable tomorrow.
Current Weather Conditions:
Longyearbyen: Temperature -14.2 C, wind chill -26.3 C and partly cloudy skies
Rocket/Payload status: The payload is mounted on the launcher and is operating nominally. The payload was in the vertical position and nominal for the window today.
Phone numbers for science launch operations
Backup Science Center at UNIS, Longyearbyen 79 02 64 48
KHO Auroral Observatory 79 02 64 70 or 71
EISCAT 79 02 12 36
CUTLASS Ops 44-116-252-3520