INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR 2007-2008
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The International Polar Year is a large scientific program focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic from March 2007 to March 2009. The IPY is organized through the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It is the fourth such polar year, following those in 1882-83, 1932-33, and 1957-58. In order to have full and equal coverage of both the Arctic and the Antarctic, IPY 2007-8 covers two full annual cycles from March 2007 to March 2009 and will involve over 200 projects, with thousands of scientists from over 60 nations examining a wide range of physical, biological and social research topics. For more information on IPY visit www.ipy.org. AOSB's initiative under the IPY is the Integrated Arctic Ocean Observing System (iAOOS). It has been endorsed by the IPY Joint Committee and is listed on the IPY web site as Integrated project #14. |
The focus of iAOOS is Arctic change, including the fate of perennial sea ice and the climatic and social effects of its disappearance. The task is to view the ocean-atmosphere-cryosphere system of the high northern latitudes operating as a complete system for the first time. The rationale is that by understanding the system and testing its predictability, we extend the ability of society to mitigate for, or adapt to, its changes. For the first time we are in prospect of being able to measure almost any key variable at almost any place and time that we need to describe the ocean-atmosphere-cryosphere system of the high latitudes. The IPY provides the necessary stimulus for piecing together the available PIs, equipment, vessels, and funding on a pan-Arctic scale. To fully meet its focus on the fate of the perennial sea ice, iAOOS needs to observe the Arctic Ocean from satellites to seabed, and the changes imposed on the Arctic from subarctic seas, while to understand the full impact of Arctic change on climate, we need also to observe and understand the way in which Arctic change is transferred through subarctic seas to lower latitudes. AOSB is developing a management structure to support the program.
A full report on the first field season for IPY and initial results from the research conducted as well as plans for the second field season is being prepared and will be available on this site in February 2008.
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Ship Registration for IPY
The success of IPY depends upon the optimum use of our limited logistical platforms, namely research vessels. A website called "Arctic Ship Coordination during IPY" (ASCI) has been created to coordinate vessel planning. You are strongly encouraged to enter details about your planned IPY project using the attached template and keep the information updated regularly on the ASCI Web site. You are welcome to enter your planned programmer even if your funding status is still pending. The information will be included in the database so that operators can see where there is overlaps, gaps and additional needs. As vessel routes become clear, these also will be posted by the operators on the website.
In addition, if your research plan includes requiring access to the Russian EEZ, you should complete the template whether or not your project has received funding. The information provided in the template will be translated into Russian and used to assist in the clearance process. For more information on access and coordinating research in the Eurasian part of the Arctic during IPY visit the IPY Sub office in St. Petersburg web site.
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