MARA – Moveable Atmospheric Radar for Antarctica

Two Swedish researchers are involved in the Finnish Antarctic programme, FINNARP, and will travel to Aboa Station to work on the Moveable Atmospheric Radar for Antarctica (MARA) project for seven weeks in December and January.

Atmospheric radar will be used in the project to measure aerosols. The aim is to increase our understanding of aerosol processes and waves in the middle atmosphere, and to compare tropospheric aerosols over Antarctica with those over the Arctic. The research could also improve our knowledge of meteorological disturbances in the area around Sweden’s Wasa Station (the site of previous studies), knowledge that could benefit other research stations. After this season, the radar will be relocated to another site in Antarctica for comparative studies. The plan is for MARA to be sited at Norway’s Troll Station over the next few years.

The Finnish Aboa research station was built in the Vestfjella Mountain range in Dronning Maud Land in 1988/89. The station is located at 73°03'S, 13°25'W on nunatak Basen, 130 kilometres from the coast. The Swedish Wasa Station lies nearby and, together with Aboa, forms what is known as the Nordenskiöld Base. Aboa was expanded and renovated in 2002/03 and can now house up to 18 people. It consists of a main building, two laboratory containers, and three containers designated as living quarters, one of which is used for healthcare purposes. Aboa is manned only in the Antarctic summer.

Research leader: Sheila Kirkwood, Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF)