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Climatological Database of Auroral Images for Solar Cycle 23: An Online Synoptic Search and Metadata
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| We propose to provide an online search and visualization tool of auroral and geophysical metadata covering the ascending phase of the current solar cycle. This tool will address a demonstrated
problem in using auroral image collections, namely the extreme difficulty of performing non-event studies and surveys of large (~4M) collections of auroral images. The tool will be based on the
collection of POLAR UVI images available from March 1996 to present, but will allow ingestion of metadata from the other POLAR imagers (VIS and PIXIE) as well as other imaging missions such as
the imager suite on IMAGE.
The proposed work directly addresses a major problem associated with all the POLAR imagers (and spaced-based imagers in general), namely that data is typically available only on an event-driven
basis. There is currently no tool available for synoptic searches of auroral features or for visualization of derived parameters such as boundaries, energy input, or presence of given auroral morphologies.
We propose to provide that tool.
The methodology is feasible and appropriate to the proposal goals, and has been explored in sufficient detail to insure its success. The methodology builds on previous success with image classification techniques and development of user interfaces to mission databases essentially identical to that proposed here.
In summary, this work builds on previous experience with analysis of auroral image morphologies and with online access to scientific databases, uses a team intimately familiar with the data sets to be
enhanced, addresses a significant problem within the magnetospheric community that is directly relevant to the AISR goals and areas of interest, promises significant results early in the funding
period, and has a high probability of successfully achieving the proposed goals. |
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