Center for Solar Physics and Space Weather
The Catholic University of America
Washington DC 20064
|
Center for Solar Physics and Space Weather The Catholic University of America Washington DC 20064 |
ISTP/IACG CDAW Data Base
To: Solar Physics/Space Weather Community
From: Nat Gopalswamy
The Coordinated Data Analysis workshops (CDAW) have proven to be the preferred
mode of data analysis in recent times, especially when large data bases
involving multi-spacecraft data in conjunction with ground based data are
involved. The series of SOHO-Yohkoh CDAWs have resulted in very productive
collaborations and scientific exchanges. Taking this one step forward, we
conducted an ISTP/IACG workshop (http://orpheus.nascom.nasa.gov) on 'Global
Picture of Solar Eruptive Events' where data pre-processing was a unique
feature so the participants could concentrate on extracting science from the
data sets rather than spending time on basic data handling. This proved to be
extremely useful and a number of projects were identified and pursued. The
workshop was conducted with the help of scientists associated with ISTP
missions (especially SOHO and Wind), SDAC and NSSDC. The primary aim of the
workshop was to obtain a global perspective and a "generic picture" of the
solar eruptive events from the time they originate from the Sun to the time
they reach 1 AU and perhaps beyond. Towards this end, the following 5 topics
were addressed during the workshop:
1. Near-surface manifestations
2. Coronal Dimming and Arcade Formation
3. Magnetic Field Changes
4. Sources of Energetic Particles
5. CMEs and Magnetic Clouds Science Program
Data were assembled from a number of space missions (SOHO, Yohkoh, Wind, ACE,
IPM-8, CGRO, GOES, Ulysses) and from ground based instruments (Nobeyama
radioheliograph, Nancay Radioheliograph, Potsdam, Hiraiso,
SOONSPOT, Nancay Decametric, RSTN and MLSO). The CDAWeb data base was also
effectively used during the workshop. By the time we assembled all the data in
one place, the data set was huge: ~ 20 GB. The data base consisted
of solar imagery, interplanetary time series data and metric and longer
wavelength radio burst data. The participants found the preprocessed very
useful so they could look at plots, movies and overlays of images without
having to deal with the raw data. All the necessary software tools were also
made available for new data analysis are improve upon
existing analysis. Several projects were identified during the workshop by the
five working groups. Data analysis has continued after the workshop and an
international conference (http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/istp/solar_events/) is
planned in Spring 2000 when the data would have been analyzed in more detail.
The ISTP/IACG CDAW relied heavily on computer workstations and xterms
provided by NSSDC and SDAC. These resources were available only on temporary
basis and we appreciate the fact that neither NSSDC nor SDAC can
provide these resources on a longer term basis. Since the scientific community
is interested in continuing this effort and has found it to be very beneficial
and scientifically productive, the Center for Solar Physics and Space Weather
(CSPSW) has undertaken to maintain the data base, update it and make it
available to the scientific community without taxing the resources at SDAC and
NSSDC. The CSPSW can also provide low level data analysis facilities for those
scientists who do not have software tools in their home institutions.
Judging by the community response to the ISTP/IACG CDAW, the solar
physics/space weather community would find this data base useful as an on going
resource. Furthermore, we hope that this effort will act as a catalyst for a
focussed community effort that is bound to result in enhanced scientific return.
The data can be accessed from the following web site:
Or by anonymous ftp:
If you have any questions, please contact George Dimitoglou
(george@esa.nascom.nasa.gov) or Nat Gopalswamy (gopals@fugee.gsfc.nasa.gov).
This is a NASA funded project.