This service is currently under threat. Please see below for further info.
Current geomagnetic activity at Lancaster:
Please click on logo to be
taken to the Aurora Watch web site
.
Recently, the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) reviewed its policy in respect of UK solar-terrestrial physics funding.
PPARC has decided that it will "maintain a presence in ground-based solar-terrestrial physics" but "withdraw earlier [than planned] from ... a number of solar-terrestrial physics facilities."
As a result, as of April 2007, the UK sub-auroral magnetometer network (SAMNET) will no longer be funded as a UK national facility. PPARC has suggested that the Lancaster University SAMNET team apply for alternative support, but future funding is by no means guaranteed.
Clearly, if SAMNET closes down the AuroraWatch service will cease to operate entirely. Over the next few weeks, the Lancaster team will be making the case to try and reverse PPARC's decision to stop funding SAMNET as a UK national facility. In this crucial period, messages of support from AuroraWatch subscribers could make a very real difference to our case!
If you would like to show your support for the Aurora Watch service, please send an email to me j.wild@lancaster.ac.uk indicating why you do not wish the SAMNET and Aurora Watch service to be discontinued. I will then collate the responses and forward them to PPARC.
It does not need to be a lengthy email - a short message will make more impact than no message at all! However, when composing your message you might consider mentioning some/all of the following points:
- how long you have been an AuroraWatch subscriber
- the basis of your interest in the aurora (e.g. school pupil/student, teacher, amateur astronomer, radio amateur, interested member of the public)
- whether you have ever seen the Aurora as a result of an AuroraWatch alert
It is also vitally important to give your name and geographic location (i.e. county)
Please contact me if you have any questions or require further guidance - every message counts!
Finally, it has probably been some time since you last received an AuroraWatch alert, but this doesn't mean that the AuroraWatch service is not working! SAMNET is automatically searching for auroral activity over the UK 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, the Sun is currently approaching the quietest part of its 11 year activity cycle.
Over the next couple of years, solar activity will begin to pick up again,
increasing the likelihood of aurora over the UK.
If you would like AuroraWatch to be operating during this period of increased
auroral activity, please support us by responding to this message!
Best regards,
Dr Jim Wild
(and on behalf of the SAMNET/AuroraWatch team)
Dr. Jim Wild
Space Plasma Environment and Radio Science group
Department of Communication Systems
InfoLab 21, Lancaster University,
Lancaster, LA1 4WA, UK
Email: j.wild@lancaster.ac.uk
Tel: +44 1524510545 Fax: +44 1524510493
Dr Steve Marple
email: S.Marple@lancaster.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0)1524 510407
fax: +44 (0)1524 510493 (please mark "FAO Dr Steve Marple")
address:
Department of Communications Systems,
InfoLab21,
South Drive,
Lancaster University,
Lancaster.
LA1 4WA
UK