Dr. Ivaylo Nachev of the Technical University of Sofia, a researcher in the first Polar Astronomy project of Bulgaria, installed on the Livingston Island a scientific equipment designed and built in the Department of Radio Decommunications and Video Technologies, used to carry out radio observations of the sun. .
The sun. Photo shutterstock
Its demer is part of a project that studies the impact of solar activity on the ionospheric dynamics and the flows of high energy particles above Antarctica, according to BTA, quoted by Agerpres.
Nachev emphasizes that the project is an example of successful cooperation between the Institute of Astronomy and the National Astronomical Observatory in Rozhen at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), the Naval School in Varna and the Technical University of Sofia.
The instrumentation installed at the Bulgarian Antarctic base worked smoothly for almost two months, collecting valuable data on the solar activity and its relationship with the Earth’s magnetic field. Four main experiments are carried out within the project.
The first aims to measure radio emissions from solar eruptions. Antarctica offers an extremely clean environment for such observations, because there are no local disturbers, such as communication technologies, which would otherwise make difficult accurate measurements. This allows the clear association of a particular radio signal with a specific solar activity.
The second experiment is investigating solar rashes and their impact on the ionosphere. Dr. Nachev explains that the equipment, developed at the Technical University, was installed both in Bulgaria and on the island of Livingston. This allows precise tracking of solar eruptions and determining their impact on different hemispheres.
The third experiment aims to measure the magnetic field of the Earth and its variations and their relationship with solar activity. The measuring equipment near Poli is the key, because the land lines of the Earth converge exactly in the polar regions. The data in these measurements will help analyze how the magnetic field responds to different solar events.
The fourth experiment examines the high energy particles that enter the atmosphere during plasma ejects or coronal mass ejections. These particles, attracted by the magnetic field of the Earth, are concentrated in the polar regions.
The sun is currently at the top of its 11 -year -old cycle
By comparing the data with the results of the two previous experiments, more accurate predictions of the effects of solar activity will be made.
Ivaylo Nachev emphasizes that this research is particularly valuable because the Sun is currently at the top of its 11 -year cycle. His observation during this period will provide important prospects on future solar cycles, completes research in the field of the Earth’s magnetic field and solar activity and provides new data on geomagnetic storms.
Pomoting of polar astronomy
He notes that there is evidence in the scientific literature about people who face discomfort during such storms. The published experimental results will allow other scientists to analyze the relationship between solar activity, geomagnetic storms and their impact on human health.
Nachev said that one of the main objectives of the project is to promote polar astronomy and space research.
