Collaborative research: dasi track 1--autonomous remote geospace observation and research array (AURORA)

The National Science Foundation awarded the University of Texas at Arlington $1,027,756 on April 15, 2026, under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) to develop autonomous ground-based geospace observation arrays named AURORA for deployment in high-latitude and polar regions.

The project will design and prototype small, low-power, autonomous, multi-instrument observation systems equipped with solar panels, batteries, bidirectional satellite communication, fluxgate and searchcoil magnetometers, radio receivers, and high-performance single-board computers. AURORA arrays will enable year-round observations in remote, logistically challenging locations and address gaps in existing ground-based instrument coverage. The systems will advance understanding of interhemispheric asymmetries in geomagnetic and ionospheric variability, mesoscale solar-wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling in high-latitude and polar regions, and space weather phenomena. The technology will facilitate cross-disciplinary instrument co-location and international polar science collaboration.

UTA's Office of Research Administration serves as the recipient. The period of performance runs from April 15, 2026, through August 31, 2028. Place of performance is Arlington, Texas. The project will support two early-career researchers, including a female early-career scientist, and engage graduate and undergraduate students in instrumentation design and testing. No subawards are planned.

Abstract

High-latitude and polar regions present a unique set of challenges for continuous observations because of their remoteness and extreme and harsh environments. This project seeks to develop the next generation of small, low-power, autonomous, multi-instrument adaptive, ground-based geospace observation arrays, named autonomous remote geospace observation and research array (AURORA). IT is designed to fill large gaps in the currently existing ground-based instrument arrays in the high-latitude and polar regions. With advanced technologies in solar panels, batteries, bidirectional satellite communication, low-power sensors (fluxgate and searchcoil magnetometers, radio receivers, etc.), and high-performance single-board computers, AURORA will enable year-round observations with cost-effective, multiple instruments in these remote logistically challenging locations. This will significantly improve the ability to study (1) interhemispheric asymmetries from the viewpoint of geomagnetic and ionospheric variability, (2) the mesoscale of solar-wind - magnetosphere - ionosphere coupling in high-latitude and polar regions, as well as other space weather phenomena. Deep-field autonomous observatories have the potential to CO-locate instruments across disciplines in polar science and facilitate international collaborations. This project will also contribute to training the future workforce. IT will support two early-career researchers including a female early-career scientist. Graduate and undergraduate students will participate in the research, assisting with instrumentation design and testing. 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.- subawards are not planned for this award.