Robyn Fiori - Space Weather
Name: Robyn Fiori
Field of Expertise: Space Weather
Education: Ph.D. in Ionospheric Physics, University of Saskatchewan
Works at: Natural Resources Canada’s Geomagnetic Laboratory in Ottawa, Ontario (part of the Canadian Hazards Information Service)
What she studies
Dr. Fiori is part of a team that monitors and researches space weather caused by solar eruptions and its effects on human activities and technologies. They monitor, analyze, and forecast space weather and dispatch warnings and alerts across Canada during periods of increased solar activity. Their work includes tracking solar disturbances from the Sun to the Earth and monitoring the Earth’s magnetic field using a network of magnetometers distributed throughout Canada.
What is the importance of her research?
Due to its northerly location and wide latitudinal extent, Canada is affected by space weather more than any other country in the world. Dr. Fiori’s research is applied to the development and improvement of space weather tools and forecasts to be used by operators of power systems and other critical infrastructures and technologies in Canada.
Interesting fact
The Sun follows a regular cycle, alternating between high and low levels of activity over a period of ~11 years. Scientists are predicting more severe space weather in 2013 and 2014 as these are the peak years of the solar cycle.
Current research projects
Dr. Fiori is studying the characteristics of geomagnetic disturbances that can lead to currents being induced in power systems and pipelines. These induced currents cause problems with the proper operation of power systems and reduce the pipeline lifespan. Dr. Fiori is also involved in a project to map ionospheric plasma flows in the ionosphere using the Swarm satellite constellation, set to launch in 2013.
Key publications:
Fiori, R. A. D., D. H. Boteler, D. Knudsen, J. Burchill, A. V. Koustov, E. D. P. Cousins, C. Blais (2012), Potential impact of Swarm electric field data on global 2D convection mapping in combination with SuperDARN radar data, Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, vol. 93, p. 87-99. doi: 10.1016/j.jastp.2012.11.013.
Fiori, R. A. D., D. Boteler, and A. V. Koustov (2012), Response of ionospheric convection to sharp southward IMF turnings inferred from magnetometer and radar data, Journal of Geophysical Research, 117 (A09302), doi:10.1029/2012JA017755.
Fiori, R. A. D., D. H. Boteler, A. V. Koustov, G. V. Haines, J. M. Ruohoniemi, (2010) Spherical cap harmonic analysis of SuperDARN observations for generating maps of ionospheric convection, Journal of Geophysical Research, 115, (A07307), doi:10.1029/2009JA015055.
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