The upper atmosphere environment is impacted by energetic particles, solar radiation, and interplanetary magnetic fields that drive “space weather” disturbances in the region, leading to strong electric currents, order-of-magnitude changes in neutral density and temperature, and major redistributions of plasma. At the same time, the circulation and variability of the upper atmosphere are dramatically impacted by waves carrying energy and momentum upward from hurricanes, thermal tides, and surface features. This region is where space and Earth’s atmosphere interact, forming a critical boundary that must be studied to advance our understanding of the whole Earth system. The need to understand and predict this dynamic environment is made more urgent by our growing dependence on technological infrastructure such as electric power grids or communication satellites, which are vulnerable to serious collateral damage by space weather effects [Severe Space Weather Events—Understanding Societal and Economic Impacts, National Academy of Science, 2008].

CEDAR vision and mission is expressed in the CEDAR Strategic Plan

See the CEDAR Strategic Plan The New Dimension (2013)

The science is organized around Strategic Science Thrust which by the nature of the problems are intertwined.

Strategic Science Thrusts

Strategic Thrust #1: Encourage and Undertake a Systems Perspective of Geospace

Mission: To understand global connectivities and causal relationships involving the SAIR and to determine their influences on the interaction region and the whole Earth system. The ultimate goal is to contribute to a holistic model of the Earth system that includes all interacting components from the Earth’s core to geospace. This effort is aimed at predicting future conditions with the accuracy and reliability needed to explore methodologies for continued human wellbeing and sustainable technological development of our planet. Implementation:

• Investigate the applicability of formal systems-theoretical methodologies to better understand complexity in the SAIR
• Explore system characteristics of the space-atmosphere interaction region in terms of nonlinearities, preconditioning and memory, feedback, instabilities, emergent behavior, and cross-scale coupling
• Augment the review criteria for the annual CEDAR proposal competition to include consideration of systems science formulation, and encourage organizers of the Annual CEDAR Workshop to highlight research that emphasizes a system science approach or view.

Strategic Thrust #2: Explore Exchange Processes at Boundaries and Transitions in Geospace

Mission: To understand the transformation and exchange of mass, momentum and energy at transitions within the ITM and through boundaries that connect with the lower atmosphere and the magnetosphere. Studying these transitions and boundaries in terms of physical processes enables new knowledge about the nature of our Interaction Region applicable to Earth and other planetary bodies. Implementation:

• Characterize sources and sinks internally and externally to the SAIR and their possible variations due to the coupling and complexity of the Sun-Earth system.
• Advance theories and coupled models that account for processes at transitions and across boundaries
• Develop computational resources, techniques, and analyses enabling predictive capabilities that incorporate boundary and transitional effects

Strategic Thrust #3: Explore Processes Related to Geospace Evolution

Mission: To understand and predict evolutionary change in the geospace system and the implications for Earth and other planetary systems. Implementation:

• Conduct studies to identify and isolate observables that most significantly influence long-term changes in geospace conditions
• Ensure calibration and validation of relevant observations for reliable identification of long-term trends
• Develop funding and observing models to maintain and improve long-term databases that have become the hallmark of CEDAR science for many years
• Conduct studies of comparative planetary aeronomy to advance physical understanding of atmospheric evolution

Strategic Thrust #4: Develop Observational and Instrumentation Strategies for Geospace System Studies

Mission: To develop instruments capable of measuring system properties necessary to examine the coupling mechanisms and complexity within the SAIR. To exploit existing and planned observational assets in order to optimize scientific return. Implementation:

• Coordinate multi-platform observational campaigns that take advantage of existing and new instrumentation and facilities
• Conduct studies to determine the optimum type and placement of large observatories or instruments and plan for strategic deployment of future instruments that best serve the needs of the CEDAR community
• Develop smart sensors (i.e., autonomous, reconfigurable, robust, low-power, etc.) that optimize measurements in response to changing geophysical conditions
• Pursue the advancement of innovative, space-based sensing platforms, including small satellites, suborbital rockets, and large space missions for CEDAR research

Strategic Thrust #5: Fuse the Knowledge Base across Disciplines in the Geosciences

Mission: To promote collaborations in related but distinct disciplines of geosciences, mathematics, engineering, and physics to attract a greater variety of researchers and students spawning new ideas and methodologies that will more rapidly advance geospace studies. Implementation:

• Promote broader, interdisciplinary participation at the Annual CEDAR Workshop
• Coordinate with other geospace communities as well as engineering mathematical, and computational science communities to enhance CEDAR research and encourage collaborative pursuit of cross-disciplinary funding opportunities
• Work with the International community and organizations, such as CAWSES, ICESTAR, EISCAT, EGS, AOGS, etc., to formulate strategic approaches that address global issues
• Provide an interdisciplinary educational, research and technology framework, including curriculum development, that excites, trains, and supports future generations of researchers in the field

Strategic Thrust #6:Manage, Mine, and Manipulate Geoscience/Geospace Data and Models

Mission: To tap the vast resources of burgeoning geoscience data to provide a new view of geospace, optimize information for proper deployment locations of key instruments and measurements to further scientific productivity, discover correlations and contribute to understanding their causalities, contribute to determining the evolution of geospace by manipulation and evaluation of multiple observables over extended observing periods. Implementation:

• Implement standardized data formats and calibration procedures that will facilitate data acquisition and the establishment of accessible and user-friendly databases
• Continue to evolve data assimilation schemes to integrate data with physics based models for improved predictive capability
• Develop advanced analysis techniques needed for effective fusion of observations into sophisticated inference models
• Develop automated pattern analysis, detection, recognition, tracking, and reconstruction techniques for application to CEDAR data