Date: June 2024
Amount: $79,280

The Scientific Instrumentation Center (CInC) at the Adventist University of Chile is a laboratory dedicated to the production of scientific instruments and knowledge, primarily in the fields of Space Geophysics, Aeronomy, and Space Weather. As the only research group actively studying the upper atmosphere in Chile, CInC operates the country’s sole active ionospheric station, continuing a legacy of ionospheric research that dates back to 1957.

CInC seeks funding to design and deploy a space weather analysis network across Chile to leverage Chile’s unique geography to contribute to the research of space weather. Chile is the longest country in the world, having a huge latitudinal extension that covers from -18 to almost -65 degrees. Considering how important is the latitude during space weather events, a network covering the country will be a powerful tool for local research and also a great complement for the northern hemisphere, which has a much bigger instrumental coverage.

CInC will install low-cost scientific instruments such as magnetometers, VLF receivers, and all-sky cameras. Magnetometers are devices used to observe the disturbances caused by space weather and other electromagnetic phenomena, which is useful to researchers and agencies around the world. VLF receivers are used to study the D region of the ionosphere. All-sky cameras are used by astronomers to study celestial objects and also by researchers to study the passage of atmospheric gravity waves, which occur frequently during a geomagnetic storm. These instruments will be installed in schools, particularly in underserved rural areas. and The new, school-based observatories will be used to engage students and teachers in STEM education while collecting valuable data for ongoing research.