Collaborative Research: Research Infrastructure: The Simpson Neutron Monitor Network

This award provides funding for the operation and maintenance of the Simpson Neutron Monitor Network Facility. The network consists of ground-based particle detectors designed to monitor the intensity of cosmic rays striking the Earth’s atmosphere. Analysis of these data can help build an understanding of the Sun’s influence on the Solar System. At ground level, cosmic rays are not hazardous because of the shielding effect of the atmosphere and the geomagnetic field. However, exposure is much higher while flying at high altitudes or orbiting the Earth; this is due to the reduced protective cover provided by Earth's atmosphere. Neutron monitor data are used by space science researchers, space weather forecasters, and the microelectronics industry, among others. The Simpson Neutron Monitor Network Facility will play a role in a national multipronged plan to identify and characterize space weather events and mitigate their effects on infrastructure, society, and government functions. The Simpson Neutron Monitor Network Facility operates and maintains ground base instruments that generate data used by a broad interdisciplinary community, conducting science in the context of late-breaking heliospheric events. Examples of investigations utilizing the global network of monitors include (1) studies of the anisotropy of solar energetic particles arriving at Earth, (2) measurements of the energy spectrum of solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays (3) the detection and analysis of solar-flare-neutron events. This project integrates operations, maintenance, data management, and data products. Data outputs include real-time neutron count rates, pre-archived and archived data with different temporal resolutions, and high-resolution datasets available upon request. Dedicated data products include the Ground Level Enhancement (GLE) Alert System, which provides real-time notifications of solar particle events, and cosmic-ray anisotropy monitoring. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2535909 | Program: 01002829DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT,01002728DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT,01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: John Clem | Institution: University of Delaware, NEWARK, DE | Award Amount: $376,241 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2535909 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2535909.html