Contribution of IMAGE to scientific research
The interest of the IMAGE team is focused on the comparison of the magnetic field recordings with measurements from other facilities like EISCAT, CUTLASS, all-sky cameras, riometers, and satellites (e.g. FREJA and UARS). For example, magnetometers can help to solve the spatial-temporal ambiguity of EISCAT observations especially during events that include moving current systems like omega bands, traveling convection vortices or westward traveling surges. Together with all-sky camera data we can study the dynamics of substorms. Of special interest is the behaviour of auroral arcs and electrojets during the very early phase of the substorm just before and after the expansion. In common studies with satellites, we can focus on the fine structure of field-aligned currents.
(Modified from Lühr, STEP International, October 1994.)
The Magnetometers - Ionospheric Radars- Allsky Cameras Large Experiment (MIRACLE) is a two-dimensional instrument network constructed for mesoscale studies of auroral electrodynamics, including IMAGE. The network covers an area from subauroral to polar cap latitudes over a longitude range of about two hours of local time. The various instruments have different spatial resolutions, but basically the network is designed for studies in the spatial scales from a few tens of km upward.
The Baltic Electromagnetic Array Research (BEAR), a part of EUROPROBE's SVEKALAPKO project, realizes an ultra-deep electromagnetic sounding in the Fennoscandian (Baltic) Shield. The experiment, which used a wide magnetotelluric and magnetometer array in summer 1998, is designed to determine the electrical conductivity of the upper mantle beneath the ancient Fennoscandian Shield.
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Updated: 10.2.2010 - AV