The upper atmosphere of the Earth contains both neutral constituents and charged particles (ions and electrons, forming a plasma). The motion of the latter is affected by processes originating from space, as the geomagnetic field gets disturbed and particles coming from space produce auroral emissions and affect the upper-atmospheric chemistry and dynamics. The ANAON project will study how the neutral gas and the plasma interact with each other at high latitudes, as a result of space forcing. We will use a wealth of ground-based observations from radars, optical instruments, and citizen science, analysed with state-of-the-art methods. Collaboration is foreseen with the University of Saskatchewan (Canada), Boston University (USA), the University of Calgary (Canada), and UNIS (Svalbard). The outcome of the project will be a better understanding and quantification of the ion–neutral interplay in the upper atmosphere at scales of 10–1000 km, which will improve space weather forecasting.

2024

2028