MagStar Phase-II: Supporting Cost-Effective, Long-Term Access to Scientific Data

地球磁场的测量被用来了解太阳活动如何影响地球。在高活动期，磁场变化迅速，可能会损坏电网，干扰通信和导航卫星，并扰乱空中交通。从磁星磁强计阵列获得的数据为对支持每个部门终端用户的多个科学领域的研究提供信息。该阵列还向各种电力公用事业合作伙伴和独立系统运营商(ISO)提供实时数据，以提高危险意识和NOAA空间天气预测中心。它是目前在毗邻的美国仅有的两个运行的科学级磁力仪阵列之一。最初由美国国家科学基金会分布式小型仪器阵列资助的MagStar项目，已经成功地在毗邻的美国各地的观测缺口中部署了13台实时运行的磁力仪。数据实时提供(不到1秒)，高质量的研究和运营(0.1nT分辨率)，大多数地点的正常运行时间/数据捕获超过99%。随着我们进入太阳活动高峰期，地磁活动增加，由MagStar支持的研究工作将变得越来越普遍。重要的是，在太阳周期的这一高活动期内保持这些数据流的连续性。该项目的下一阶段将通过继续维护和运营阵列两年来支持长期的数据可用性，包括为数据传输到SuperMag和Madrigal数据库以便于公众访问开发更好的支持，并通过现有的API保持对用户的实时数据传输。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Measurements of the Earth's magnetic field are used to understand how Solar activity affects the Earth. During periods of high activity, the magnetic field changes rapidly, which can cause damage to power grids, interference with communication and navigation satellites, and disruption of air traffic. The data obtained from the MagStar magnetometer array inform research into the multiple scientific domains supporting end-users in each sector. The array also provides real-time data to various power utility partners and independent system operators (ISOs) for hazard awareness and the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. It is one of only two currently operating scientific-grade magnetometer arrays in the contiguous United States.The MagStar project, originally funded through the NSF Distributed Array of Small Instruments (DASI) grant NSF-193304, has successfully deployed 13 real-time operational magnetometers in observational gaps across the contiguous United States. The data are provided in real-time (less than 1 second), at high-quality for research and operations (0.1nT resolution), and up-time/data capture at most locations exceeds 99%. As we head into solar maximum conditions and geomagnetic activity increases, the research efforts that MagStar supports will become increasingly more prevalent. It is important that continuity of these data streams is maintained through this high-activity period of the solar cycle. The next phase of this project will support long-term data availability for scientific use by continuing to maintain and operate the array for two years, including developing better support for data transfer to the SuperMag and Madrigal databases for ease of public access, and maintaining real-time data transfer to users through the existing API.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.