HR: 09:40h
AN: IN21C-07    [Abstracts]
TI: An auroral VxO: A reappraisal of need and call for community input
AU: * Germany, G A
EM: Glynn.Germany@uah.edu
AF: Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, United States
AB: Space-based auroral imagery provides our best way of specifying the global deposition of energy in the coupled ionosphere-thermosphere via precipitation, as well as the global state of the magnetosphere. These images complement global data products built from networks of ground-based radars, all-sky imagers, magnetometers, riometers, etc. There is thus a perceived need to develop ways to intercompare and integrate data from different imagers, and to compare image data with other data products. Virtual observatories (VxO's) provide an opportunity to share data and to provide a framework for intercomparison of auroral image data with other data sources. The author, working with international collaborators, has previously proposed to build on existing collaborations with online data providers to develop a virtual observatory for space-based auroral image data that will work with, and complement, existing VxO efforts. The proposed efforts would allow researchers and other virtual observatories to survey and access data from all space-based auroral imagers, to integrate data from different imagers with each other, and to set the technical stage for ultimate integration with other global data products (such as SuperDARN, SuperMag, VGMO, Gloria, etc). The proposed work would also complement other online efforts, such as the efforts of the Canadian Space Sciences Data Portal (CSSDP), SuperDARN, and the evolving network of NASA supported virtual observatories. While the auroral VxO concept has been well-received, previous efforts to make that concept a reality have faced questions about the degree to which an auroral VxO is needed and the degree to which the auroral imaging community is willing to participate in such an observatory. This paper presents the expected advantages of an auroral VxO, discusses potential tools and architectures needed in such an observatory, and outlines the level of community involvement needed to make it a reality. The paper is intended to open discussion on this topic and initiate a broad-based community effort in support of a future auroral VxO effort.
DE: 2704 Auroral phenomena (2407)
SC: Earth and Space Science Informatics [IN]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting