eGY Description based on eGY presentations and discussions at Paris & Boulder 23 July & 3 September 2004 by

IGY+50 Moving forward from the International Geophysical Year …. … to the electronic Geophysical Year

International Geophysical Year –allowed scientists to participate in global observations of geophysical phenomena using common instruments and data processing –gathered data on geophysical phenomena from around the world –established the World Data Centre system

To get scientific data from various, mostly distributed sources, a scientist may have to 5.… finally, do some science 4.process data using mostly proprietary codes, run models… 3.ingest retrieved data into a local database… 2.get data via snail-mail, air- mail, , Web… 1.search through data centers, various institutions, observatories, contact colleagues…

Drivers Earth System science Higher resolution – space and time Rapid response Data assimilation into models Interoperability Data rescue

Embrace and extend IGY principles Free, universal, open access to data Timely and convenient access International cooperation and sharing Global scope Exploit e-Science opportunities Capacity building, especially in developing countries

IGY + 50 years New Perspectives for the Next Millennium eGY complements initiatives that mark the 50-year anniversary of IGY IYPEInternational Year of Planet Earth IPYInternational Polar Year IHYInternational Heliophysical Year CAWSES Climate and Weather of the Sun-Earth System

an initiative of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics led by the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy marks the 50-Year anniversary of the International Geophysical Year eGY

eGY Participants ICSUThomas Rosswall IUGGEC (Assocs) Task Force IAGA/IUGGTask Force, IGY+50 Cmte IAGA Charles Barton PAA Data & InfR Miller, Carthage Smith WDC PanelFerris Webster CODATAKathleen Cass FAGSPhil Wilkinson SCOSTEPJoe Allen, M Candidi SCAR (IPY)Maurizio Candidi, A Rodger AOGSYohsuke Kamide SEGBrian Spies, VP IGBPWill Steffen, ED IPYAlan Rodger IHYBarbara Thompson CAWSESS Basu, Joe Allen, Y Kamide USNC-IUGG AASAustr Academy Sci LASPDan Baker NASABarbara Thompson NESDIS NOAA/NGDC SEC NCAR SWRI

Workshop Questions 1.What value will eGY add? (deliverables, benefits) 2.Who will benefit? (organisations, programs, disciplines, individuals, DCs …) 3.How will eGY accomplish this? (operational model, governance, finance) 4.What ownership? (partners, sponsors/host for secretariat, champions) 5.What action items? 6.When? (specify a timetable for action)

Added value Through liaison with other bodies/initiatives: –Inform: § Website ( § Newsletters § Meetings: specialist, national, general assemblies Educate and build capacity in developing countries –Stimulate and promote eGY-related projects (not funded by eGY) Educate and build capacity in developing countries –Common approach to data donor agencies –Common approach to standards

Vision Geoscience in this century is given a forward impetus as IGY 50 did years ago.

Objective by helping to satisfy modern requirements for –ready access to comprehensive data –universal (equal) access by everyone –interoperability –multidisciplinary, multi-institutional, (Earth) systems science –ability to manage large data sets –access to high resolution data in both space and time –access in real-time or near real-time to data and applications –data suitable for assimilation into models –web services Promote the sharing of geoscientific data and information universally to facilitate (inter- disciplinary) science

Roles Facilitate, inform, stimulate, encourage, and promote the following. –Modern data access and services (e-Science) –Establishment of virtual observatories throughout the geosciences –Cooperation among bodies/initiatives to reduce duplication and spread standards –Data discovery (location) - who holds, what, where, how? Develop metadata –Data release (secure access permission; active rather than passive release) –Data preservation (make old data accessible; preserve existing data) –Capacity building (empowerment, outreach, education) –Advancement of science in developing countries

Themes Data access Ready and open electronic access to data e-Science, Web Services, VIRTUAL OBSERVATORIES Data discovery (location) Who holds what data, where, and in what form? Metadata Permission and release Lift access restrictions Active rather than passive release of data Data preservation Digitize analog data; reformat old digital data International framework and standards for storage and maintenance Capacity building and outreach Boost the scope and output of scientific endeavours Raise awareness among scientists, decision-makers and the public Better opportunities for growth of science in countries in need.

Attractions of eGY Timely – Virtual Observatory software is becoming available; e-Science initiatives are spreading Interdisciplinary - data sharing and data accessibility are common issues in all areas of the geosciences Affordable – technology development is funded elsewhere Cost effective – more/better science for money Inclusive – opportunities for developed and developing countries Capacity Building – informs, stimulates, enables, connects people Appealing to young scientists - fast, convenient, comprehensive data access Complements I*Y initiatives - IPY, IYPE, IHY, and CAWSES Outreach capability - informs decision makers and public (promotes environmental literacy)

Operational models for eGY Model 1. Independent (needs substantial funding) Model 2. Common theme Model 3. Hosted by parent(s)

Common Theme Model InitiativeABCDE Function 1 XXXX 2 XXX 3 XXXX Data & Information XXXXX 5 XXXX 6 XXXX

Structure Executive S mall group of key persons who are the architects of business International Coordination Office Secretariat to conduct eGY business Scientific Advisory Committee Policy, planning, opportunity identification, scientific links (representatives from key participants, e.g., WDCs) Thematic Working Groups VOs, data discovery, release, preservation, standards, DCs National & Regional Committees/Offices To liaise, stimulate, and interact with national/regional initiatives

Activities Organise meetings, workshops, and symposia Develop the website: Produce an electronic newsletter Marketing: presentations, articles, postage stamps Outreach: education Capacity building in developing countries

Next steps for eGY Move from concept development to planning to implementationMove from concept development to planning to implementation Presentations, marketing, website, newsletterPresentations, marketing, website, newsletter Get financeGet finance Set up Secretariat, Steering Committee, N&R contacts/bodiesSet up Secretariat, Steering Committee, N&R contacts/bodies Expand partnershipsExpand partnerships Work with the World Data CentresWork with the World Data Centres Establish program relationships: IPY, IYPE, IHY, ILWS, CAWSESEstablish program relationships: IPY, IYPE, IHY, ILWS, CAWSES Get endorsements: ICSU, UNESCO?Get endorsements: ICSU, UNESCO? Establish thematic WGs

Next steps for USA Lead an environmental observing systems planning committee with NESDIS, NOAA, NASA, NSF, NRC, etc. participation Develop the US Program Plan for the electronic Geophysical Year, eGY Obtain interagency approval for the Program Plan Incorporate the Program Plan with budget in the report to Congress as required by the IGY-2 resolution( by August 18 th ?!). ? Should the NAS present the program to Congress

Timeline 2003 JulyIUGG Gen. Assy, Sapporo; eGY endorsed DeceGY planning discussion at AGU 2004 March Paper describing eGY in EOS March ICSU grant application (not funded) JulyPlanning workshop, Paris SeptIUGG Executive meeting SeptPlanning workshop, Boulder Nov/DecPresentation and Planning workshop, GSFC Set up Steering Committee 2005 ….Set up Secretariat ….IUGG Association meetings - presentations, planning JulyIAGA Assembly; eGY symposium

Main Apollo - Earth from Moon eGY

Virtual Observatories Access through a browser or an Application Programming Interface (API) “Small box” uses registry of XML data service schema to construct appropriate queries for each relevant data service API or browser can refine queries Final data transfer is direct to requestor (no middleman)

Virtual Observatories The best way to describe a virtual observatory is to give an example. The Virtual Radiation Belt Observatory –Assemble data from all available sources Data from NOAA satellites, POES, GOES and NPOESS Data from EUMETSAT satellites, MetOp Data from NASA satellites, SAMPEX Data from DoD satellites, –Data Management System Local data servers provide data to global data servers which provide data in a standard data model to the applications software, the data assimilation model and to the physical models in response to requests This approach takes advantage of the SPIDR, ESG and CDAWeb systems operating at NASA, AFCCC and NGDC –Merge with data assimilation models and physical models Center for Integrated Space weather Models (CISM), funded by NSF Existing virtual observatory systems include the Virtual Solar Observatory, the Virtual Ocean Observatory (?), etc.

Carbon Cycle Virtual Observatory concept Dust from MODIS Fires and smoke plumes Distributed fossil fuel aerosols from nighttime lights Authoritative descriptions of radiative forcing by aerosols for climate studies requires disparate data sets to drive numerical models.