All-sky aurora display from Poker Flat, Alaska, on February 2, 2019 Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2026-09-23 | All-sky aurora display from Poker Flat, Alaska, on February 2, 2019
Scientists aim to map Mount Edgecumbe volcano’s upper plumbing Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-10-08 | Mount Edgecumbe volcano in Southeast Alaska sits in a place where a volcano shouldn’t really be sitting. Research underway with new federal funding aims to solve this mystery. Part of the research project includes making a magma pellet similar to what Mount Edgecumbe produced. The human-made magma will help scientists learn about the reawakened volcano's upper plumbing system — its magma reservoirs, conduits and cracks in which magma is stored and travels to the surface.#NanookNation #uaf #science #scientist #earth #earthscience #physics #volcano #volcanoscience #volcanoexperiment #uaf #research #phd #phdinterview #phd #geophysics
Welcome to the Geophysical Institute Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-08-18 | Since it was established by an Act of Congress in 1946, scientists at the Geophysical Institute have studied geophysical processes from the center of the Earth to the surface of the sun and beyond, turning data and observations into information useful for state, Arctic and national priorities.
Alaska Satellite Facility Chief Engineer Jeff Beiderbeck talks about NISAR. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-07-21 | Jeff Beiderbeck, the Alaska Satellite Facility’s chief engineer, said NISAR is a big achievement for the ground station.“There's a lot of anticipation on the data side and on the downlink side,” he said.UAF Geophysical Institute video by Bryan Whitten
Geophysics professor Ronni Grapenthin talks about NISAR Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-07-21 | Geophysics professor Ronni Grapenthin of the University of Alaska Fairbanks talks about the science benefits of NISAR. Grapenthin studies volcanoes, earthquakes and other crustal deformation processes with GPS and InSAR.UAF Geophysical Institute video by Bryan Whitten
Alaska Satellite Facility Chief Scientist Franz Meyer discusses ASFs NISAR role. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-07-21 | Alaska Satellite Facility Chief Scientist Franz Meyer discusses NISAR and ASF's role in the NASA-ISRO satellite mission. UAF Geophysical Institute video by Bryan Whitten
AEC UPDATE Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-07-17 | Here at the Alaska Earthquake Center we've been busy fielding inquiries into the magnitude 7.3 earthquake south of Sand Point, AK that occurred around 12:40 pm today. Here, AEC Director and State Seismologist Michael West describes what we know so far. Follow along as we update social media and our website at earthquake.alaska.edu.
Jakobshavn Glacier time-lapse video Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-05-28 | This portion of a time-lapse video shows movement of the terminus of Jakobshavn Glacier in mid-2024. Video courtesy Martin TrufferUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks professor Martin Truffer, who specializes in glacier dynamics, and UAF Geophysical Institute graduate student researcher Amy Jenson returned earlier this month from their second trip to Jakobshavn, where they are studying how meltwater and the ocean affect the glacier’s ice loss.
Meet student researcher Sebin John of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-05-15 | Ph.D. Student Sebin John talks about his research with the Alaska Earthquake Center, at the UAF Geophysical Institute, and his time exploring Alaska.
Visit the UAF HAARP Open House on Saturday, June 14, 2025 Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-05-14 | Explore the antenna array, step inside the control room, experience a portable planetarium show, hear science talks and more – all at the UAF HAARP Open House 2025, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14.Make this Father's Day weekend one to remember! This public open house welcomes all ages. Learn more about the event: https://haarp.gi.alaska.edu/2025openhouseThe HAARP facility in Gakona, Alaska, is about 3.75 hours drive from Anchorage and 4.5 hours drive from Fairbanks.The open house is hosted by the HAARP facility, the UAF Geophysical Institute, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Geophysical Institute Capabilities Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-05-14 | With more than 75 years of unmatched experience in Arctic research, the Geophysical Institute has the capability to gather vital data that informs many different functions in the public and private sectors.
Mark Conde explains groundbreaking UAF upper atmosphere project Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-05-06 | University of Alaska Fairbanks physics professor Mark Conde is leading a project in Finland and Sweden that allows scientists to know in greater detail how space weather affects Earth's atmosphere. The project consists of three mini-observatories funded by the National Science Foundation.
UAF Ph.D. student Kylee Branning and her role in a groundbreaking upper atmosphere project Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-05-06 | Kylee Branning discusses her role in designing and setting up instruments to support three mini-observatories funded by the National Science Foundation.
An Explosive History: Alaskas Mount Churchill Volcano, by Jessica Larsen – Science for Alaska Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-04-14 | The White River ash layer found in eastern Alaska and western Yukon Territory resulted from the most explosive eruptions to occur in North America over the past ~2,000 years. Mount Churchill, located in the Saint Elias Mountains, is the volcano responsible for these massive events. As the tallest volcano in Alaska at 15,636 feet and due to its permanent snow and ice cover, Mount Churchill is difficult to monitor and study. However, its violent history increases the urgency to learn what its past might tell us about its future.Data gleaned from volcanic rocks are helping scientists better understand the origins of Mount Churchill’s violent eruptions. By studying the ash and producing magma in the lab to simulate the depths and temperatures in the Earth's crust, Jessica Larsen hopes to provide information about what to expect if Churchill again shows signs of unrest.Jessica Larsen presented the talk “An Explosive History: Alaska's Mount Churchill Volcano" on Feb. 25, 2025, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and virtually as part of the 33rd annual Science For Alaska talk series.For more information and talk summary: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/events/science-alaska-lecture-series/6087Thank you to our generous sponsors—the Triplehorn Family, Lifewater Engineering Company, and the Dr. Syun-Ichi Akasofu Endowment—for supporting UAF science outreach through the lecture series.Filmed by UAF Geophysical Institute staff: Bryan Whitten and Eric Marshall.
Why Space Weather Matters to Alaska, by Mark Conde & Kylee Branning – Science for Alaska Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-04-14 | In a departure from the usual lecture-style format, this Science for Alaska presentation will be an interview with space physicist Mark Conde and graduate student Kylee Branning to discuss why space weather is important to Alaskans and how their scientific careers have brought them from Tasmania to the tundra and from Switzerland to Antarctica.Why is Fairbanks, Alaska, a uniquely good place to study space weather? What are exciting developments in University of Alaska Fairbanks research? How does studying space weather help Alaskans' communications systems, economics, and military?Mark Conde and Kylee Branning presented the talk “Why Space Weather Matters to Alaska: A Conversation with UAF Rocket Scientists" on Feb. 18, 2025, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and virtually as part of the 33rd annual Science For Alaska talk series.For more information and talk summary: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/events/science-alaska-lecture-series/6086Thank you to our generous sponsors—the Triplehorn Family, Lifewater Engineering Company, and the Dr. Syun-Ichi Akasofu Endowment—for supporting UAF science outreach through the lecture series.Filmed by UAF Geophysical Institute staff: Bryan Whitten, Chloe Crossen and Eric Marshall.
Alaska Changes as Seen from Space: Leaf Miners, Beavers & Rusting Rivers, by Emily Graham Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-04-14 | Alaska’s vast, harsh environment creates challenges for field scientists investigating the impacts of climate warming. In the race to understand how the Last Frontier is changing, remote sensing of the Earth’s surface is a powerful tool for studying landscapes. Join graduate student Emily Graham as she explores three Alaska problems and the innovative ways remote sensing is helping to tackle them.– Each summer, invasive leaf miners eat through great swaths of birch foliage, leaving unsightly damage and weakened trees in their wake. Could their dining habits help us detect infestations from space? – Beavers are rapidly moving into the Arctic tundra. NASA’s aircraft-mounted imaging radar, UAVSAR, is advancing our understanding of how their ponds may alter the surrounding permafrost.– Puzzling orange stains are showing up in Alaska’s northern rivers. The need to study this alarming phenomenon is urgent. We are harnessing the power of machine learning to detect rusting rivers hidden within vast satellite datasets.Remote sensing is transforming our understanding of changes in Alaska. The solutions to these and other challenges might be found in these signals.Emily Graham presented the talk “Alaska Changes as Seen from Space: Leaf Miners, Beavers & Rusting Rivers" on Feb. 11, 2025, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and virtually as part of the 33rd annual Science For Alaska talk series.For more information and talk summary: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/events/science-alaska-lecture-series/6085Thank you to our generous sponsors—the Triplehorn Family, Lifewater Engineering Company, and the Dr. Syun-Ichi Akasofu Endowment—for supporting UAF science outreach through the lecture series.Filmed by UAF Geophysical Institute staff: Bryan Whitten and Eric Marshall.
Aleutians to Arctic Coast: Covering Alaska Science for 30 Years, by Ned Rozell – Science for Alaska Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-04-14 | Early in Ned Rozell’s career as a science writer for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, he realized the best way to reach intriguing places in Alaska was to catch a ride with scientists. In exchange, he would carry batteries for them and write about their work in the Alaska Science Forum, https://www.gi.alaska.edu/alaska-science-forum, the weekly story he has produced for the Geophysical Institute a few thousand times.Join Ned on a trip all over this oversized peninsula, from the farthest sweep of the treeless Aleutian Islands to Point Lonely, a Soviet-era radar site now inhabited by polar bears. Wear your XTRATUFs and carry your nose hat, just in case.Ned Rozell presented the talk “Aleutians to Arctic Coast: Covering Alaska Science for 30 Years" on Feb. 4, 2025, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and virtually as part of the 33rd annual Science For Alaska talk series.For more information and talk summary: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/events/science-alaska-lecture-series/6084Thank you to our generous sponsors—the Triplehorn Family, Lifewater Engineering Company, and the Dr. Syun-Ichi Akasofu Endowment—for supporting UAF science outreach through the lecture series.Filmed by UAF Geophysical Institute staff: Bryan Whitten and Eric Marshall.
AWESOME LAUNCHES Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-03-31 | A compilation of three rockets, two launching on the morning of March 25th and one on March 29th, 2025 at Poker Flat Research Range for the AWESOME sounding rocket mission.To learn more, please visit:storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f8fb56929d444f71a1707660f74c26b2
AWESOME Go! Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-03-27 | The University of Alaska Fairbanks remote field teams are ready for launch! Liftoff of the three NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration rockets from Poker Flat Research Range could be a “Go” for tonight, so let’s visit some of these graduate and undergraduate researchers and research staff members out in the field.These ground observation teams are essential for the mission. They must capture images of the fleeting vapor tracers ejected by the rockets for an experiment that seeks to learn more about how the aurora affects the upper atmosphere.The launch period runs through April 6, with a daily window of approximately 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.It’s an exciting mission. And this solid team of students and staff on the ground will ensure it succeeds.At UAF, we do science like nowhere else.Learn more about AWESOME at our interactive mission page:https://storymaps.arcgis.com/.../1e0870e7226d45fabffd3c21...Here’s hoping for clear skies and bright aurora! Let’s go!Video compiled by Bryan Whitten.
UAF graduate student researcher Chynna Spitler talks about the AWESOME rocket mission Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-03-27 | University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate student researcher Chynna Spitler is one of a dozen students, staff and faculty operating six ground camera stations for the three-rocket AWESOME mission out of Poker Flat Research Range in late March 2025. The first two rockets launched March 25.To learn more, please visit:storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f8fb56929d444f71a1707660f74c26b2
AWESOME Rocket Launch Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-03-24 | A rocket launching out of Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska is always exciting. But three?!That's the plan. Three NASA rockets will launch over the course of about three hours when the launch period opens next week. It will be an awesome showing for the Auroral Waves Excited by Substorm Onset Magnetic Events mission. That's right, the first letters spell AWESOME.Colorful vapor tracers from all three rockets should be visible across much of northern Alaska.The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute owns Poker Flat and operates it under a contract with NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, which is part of the NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.Read more here or visit our news page at the link in bio:https://www.gi.alaska.edu/news/poker-flat-launch-three-nasa-rockets-single-aurora-experiment
GIRAFF/BaDASS Missions at Poker Flat Research Range Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-02-11 | Two NASA rockets successfully launched from Poker Flat Research Range this month in search of answers about forms of rapid auroral behavior. The second of those launched Saturday, the final day of the two-week launch period when acceptable conditions returned.The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute owns Poker Flat and operates it under a contract with NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, which is part of the Goddard Space Flight Center.A third rocket, with a mission of researching another type of auroral activity, was not launched because the correct science conditions did not materialize.The two rockets that did launch were for the Ground Imaging to Rocket investigation of Auroral Fast Features mission, led by principal investigator Robert Michell of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.The first in the rocket tandem launched at 10:07 p.m. Feb. 1. The second launched at 11:35 p.m. Feb. 8.Poker Flat will also be the site of a three-rocket launch in late March. That mission, led by UAF professor Mark Conde, will study the density, wind and composition perturbations that occur in Earth's far upper atmosphere during auroral substorms.Video produced by Bryan Whitten and Eric Marshall/UAF Geophysical InstituteMore information: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/news/first-rocket-campaign-2025-concludes-poker-flat-research-range
Mount Edgecumbe, Alaska, flyover video, June 7, 2023 Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-01-28 | Here is a June 7, 2023, flyover of Mount Edgecumbe volcano's crater. An international team, led by University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute scientists, has been in Sitka for more than a week and has been flying to Kruzof Island daily to measure ground carbon dioxide emissions on the crater rim and at sea level. They will compare that data to years of satellite data that indicate low temperature thermal anomalies at many of the test sites. UAF video by Társilo Girona.
Flickering aurora over Alaska Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-01-16 | This 2011 video clip shows a flickering aurora over Alaska. Video courtesy Robert Michell/NASA
Fast-pulsating aurora over Alaska Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-01-16 | This 2014 video clip shows a fast-pulsating aurora over Alaska. Video courtesy Robert Michell/NASA
Black aurora over Alaska Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2025-01-16 | This 2011 video clip shows a black aurora within a diffuse aurora over Alaska. Video courtesy Robert Michell/NASA
Emily Fedders Student Profile Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-19 | Ph.D. Student Emily Fedders talks about her research at the UAF Geophysical Institute and her time exploring Alaska.
Jennifer Delamere, snow science, at AGU24. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
Logan Scamfer, seismoacoustic research, at AGU24. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
Lynda McGilvary, education outreach, at AGU24. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
Wisnu Priyanto, tectonics and sedimentation, at AGU24. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
Karenna Merritt, volcanology, at AGU24. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
Vivian Palmer, space physics, at AGU24. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
Jessica Larsen, volcanology, at AGU24. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
Revathy Parameswaran, seismology, at AGU24. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
Helena Buurman, training students about drones, at AGU24. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
Austin Smith, space physics, at AGU24 Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
Emily Graham, remote sensing, at AGU24 Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans
Bryant Chow, seismology, at AGU24. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
James Campbell, atmospheric sciences, at AGU24. Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-12-17 | Nearly 90 University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute researchers — faculty, students and staff — made just over 100 oral and poster presentations at this year’s annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.The weeklong meeting was held Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C. About 25,000 people attend the annual meeting of the nation’s leading geosciences organization.The 2025 meeting will be held in New Orleans.
KiNET-X Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-10-08 | In 2021, UAF GI Professor Peter Delamere led a team that launched the KiNET-X rocket mission from Wallops Island in Virginia. This is the story of that mission. @NASA @NASAWallops @uafairbanks @universityofalaska7515 Video produced by Bryan Whitten, UAF Geophysical Institute
GINA ANTENNA Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-10-02 | The Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA) installed a radome on their new antenna last Friday. The antenna is located atop the Usibelli Building at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Troth Yeddha' campus.“The antenna will be used to downlink data from the Joint Polar Satellite System constellation of satellites as well as satellite data from European and Japanese partners,” said GINA director Jennifer Delamere. “The new antenna will improve weather forecasting and environmental monitoring for Alaska.”Video by Bryan Whitten and Eric Marshall
Geophysical Institute Capabilities Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-08-29 | The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute premiered a video for the 2024 Alaska Defense Forum in Fairbanks to showcase the unique capabilities that the Geophysical Institute offers to our military community and to an increasingly important body of Arctic research. To learn more about UAF's role in sponsoring the 2024 Alaska Defense Forum, visit gi.alaska.edu.Video by Bryan Whitten
Achille Capelli LASSITOS Profile Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-05-28 | Achille Cappelli, postdoctoral fellow at the UAF Geophysical Institute, demonstrates his Lightweight Airborne Snow and Sea Ice Thickness Observing System (LASSITOS). For more information, visit:https://www.gi.alaska.edu/news/uaf-researchers-use-drones-test-new-instrument-measuring-sea-ice-and-its-snow-coverVideo by Bryan Whitten @NSFScience @uafairbanks
Aurora Through The Ages by Dr. Syun-Ichi Akasofu, Oct. 3, 2023 Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-05-23 | This is a recording of Dr. Syun-Ichi Akasofu's lecture "Aurora through the Ages" in the University of Alaska Fairbanks Elvey Auditorium on October 3, 2023. The Fairbanks aurora expert described historical events in auroral science and its latest developments.Dr. Syun-Ichi Akasofu is a well known international authority on the aurora. He became director of the Geophysical Institute in 1986 and later founded the International Arctic Research Center, becoming its first director in 1999.Read more about Dr. Akasofu here: https://www.uaf.edu/centennial/uaf100/akasofu.php
Tamamta – All of Us: Bridging Indigenous and Western Fisheries Science – Science for Alaska Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-05-17 | Alaska is famous for its fisheries, yet inequities exist in fisheries education, research, and governance. However, two UAF faculty members—Jessica Black and Courtney Carothers—are spearheading a program that seeks to mitigate these inequities by joining Western and Indigenous scientific knowledge.Jessica Black, associate vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education, and Courtney Carothers, professor, UAF, presented the talk “All of Us: Bridging Indigenous and Western Fisheries Science" on Feb. 27, 2024, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and virtually as part of the 32nd annual Science For Alaska talk series.For more information and talk summary: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/events/science-alaska-lecture-series/5641 Science for Alaska is sponsored by the Triplehorn family, Lifewater Engineering, Alaska EPSCoR and the UAF Geophysical Institute.Filmed by UAF Geophysical Institute staff: Daniel Walker, Courtney Holtzclaw and Eric Marshall.
Here Comes the Sun: Solar Maximum and the Aurora, by C. Alex Young – Science for Alaska Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-05-17 | If you’re currently living in Alaska, and even if you’re located elsewhere, you may have heard that the sun is entering a period known as the “solar maximum,” and that this will have implications for aurora viewing. But exactly how are the two connected? In this Science for Alaska talk, C. Alex Young discusses heliophysics and how solar activity affects Earth infrastructure and aurora viewing.C. Alex Young, associate director for science, Heliophysics Science Division of NASA, presented the talk “Here Comes the Sun: Solar Maximum and the Aurora" on Feb. 20, 2024, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and virtually as part of the 32nd annual Science For Alaska talk series.For more information and talk summary: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/events/science-alaska-lecture-series/5640 Science for Alaska is sponsored by the Triplehorn family, Lifewater Engineering, Alaska EPSCoR and the UAF Geophysical Institute.Filmed by UAF Geophysical Institute staff: Daniel Walker, Courtney Holtzclaw and Eric Marshall.
Launching NISAR: NASAs Biggest Earth Observation Mission, by Franz J. Meyer – Science for Alaska Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-05-17 | What were you up to on January 19, 2024 during the magnitude 5.3 earthquake in interior Alaska? If you’re a member of UAF’s Alaska Satellite Facility, you may have been wishing NASA’s new earth satellite NISAR had launched just a couple of months earlier. Franz J. Meyer, UAF professor and chief scientist of the Alaska Satellite Facility, describes how this satellite will help us better understand many of the natural hazards that affect Alaskans on a daily basis.Franz J. Meyer presented the talk “Launching NISAR: NASA's Biggest Earth Observation Mission" on Feb. 13, 2024, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and virtually as part of the 32nd annual Science For Alaska talk series.For more information and talk summary: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/events/science-alaska-lecture-series/5639 Science for Alaska is sponsored by the Triplehorn family, Lifewater Engineering, Alaska EPSCoR and the UAF Geophysical Institute.Filmed by UAF Geophysical Institute staff: Daniel Walker, Courtney Holtzclaw and Eric Marshall.
Mount Edgecumbe: Exploring a Reawakened Volcano, by Claire Puleio – Science for Alaska Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-05-17 | Although Mount Edgecumbe hasn’t erupted in 4,000 years, in 2018 its ground surface began inflating and increased seismicity was detected in the area. What’s happening with this long-dormant Alaskan volcano? UAF PhD student Claire Puleio describes her research on the volcano and her attempts to uncover the mystery of Mount Edgecumbe’s current activity.Claire Puleio presented the talk “Mount Edgecumbe: Exploring a Reawakened Volcano" on Feb. 6, 2024, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and virtually as part of the 32nd annual Science For Alaska talk series.For more information and talk summary: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/events/science-alaska-lecture-series/5638 Science for Alaska is sponsored by the Triplehorn family, Lifewater Engineering, Alaska EPSCoR and the UAF Geophysical Institute.Filmed by UAF Geophysical Institute staff: Daniel Walker, Courtney Holtzclaw and Eric Marshall.
Poker Flat solar flare campaign Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-05-15 | Lead scientists Sabrina Savage and Lindsay Glesener discuss their excitement for the "Hi-C" and "FOXSI" launches at the Poker Flat Research Range, where experiments were conducted to gather data for heliophysics research and validate new instruments for measuring solar activity. Video by Bryan Whitten.@NASA@uafairbanks
New GINA satellite antenna gets lifted into place at UAF Geophysical Institute - UAF Official 2024-05-01 | https://www.gi.alaska.edu/news/new-gina-satellite-antenna-gets-lifted-place-uafA crane hoisted a new 3-meter antenna atop the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ engineering building Saturday, increasing the capability of the Geographic Information Network of Alaska.The new antenna will eventually replace the domed antenna on top of the Akasofu Building on the university’s West Ridge. That 23-year-old antenna will be repurposed for educational activities.“We’re getting a new antenna with new technology, and it will have an expected lifetime of 25 years,” GINA Director Jennifer Delamere said prior to the antenna dish being placed atop the Usibelli Building.GINA is a unit of the UAF Geophysical Institute.“The antenna will be used to downlink data from the Joint Polar Satellite System constellation of satellites as well as satellite data from European and Japanese partners,” she said. “The new antenna will improve weather forecasting and environmental monitoring for Alaska.”JPSS, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is vital for Alaska, Delamere said.“These JPSS satellites and the powerful instruments they carry are the most versatile observational assets we have for weather and hazard detection in the state of Alaska,” she said. “They provide frequent coverage and cover wide areas.”The antenna will quickly be put to work.“We'll be testing it this week,” Delamere said. “It should be continuously taking satellite passes by the end of the week. And then we have to integrate the data into our computer processing system in the Butrovich Data Center.”“It's so inspiring to think about a satellite flying 500 miles above us, pushing its data to a 3-meter antenna on the roof of the Usibelli Building. The data received on this antenna is the basis for incredible images that we use to monitor our environment,” she said.In addition to the X band, the new antenna will use the L band, which is also in the microwave range but with lower-frequency signals. The antenna will function in the same manner as GINA’s antenna at NOAA’s Fairbanks Command and Data Acquisition Station at Gilmore Creek north of Fairbanks. That antenna downlinks data from 10 satellites and will do so for new satellites to be launched within the next two years.The Akasofu Building antenna that it is replacing operates only in the X band,A protective dome will be placed over the new antenna later in the year.The GINA team uses satellite measurements of visible, infrared and microwave radiation from Earth to produce maps and imagery of Alaska weather, fire, oceans and sea-ice. The products are used in near real-time monitoring of the environment of Alaska and adjacent oceans.Many government agencies use products that GINA creates, including the National Weather Service’s Alaska Sea Ice Program, Alaska Aviation Weather Unit and regional NWS forecast offices, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Alaska Fire Service and the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center. Alaska Volcano Observatory, a joint program of the UAF Geophysical Institute and the U.S. Geological Survey, also uses GINA products.CONTACTS:• Jennifer Delamere, University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, 907-474-7140, jsdelamere@alaska.edu• Rod Boyce, University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, 907-474-7185, rcboyce@alaska.edu
