India has achieved a noteworthy feat in exploring polar regions by initiating its inaugural winter expedition to the Arctic. This momentous journey, commencing at Prithvi Bhavan in New Delhi, aims to delve into the profound impact of the Arctic on the world’s climate, sea levels, and biodiversity.
What is the Arctic Expedition about?
The Himadri research station in Svalbard, Norway, will serve as the hub for year-round observations, bolstering India’s regional research capabilities in terms of both efficiency and scope. This expedition aligns with India’s Arctic Policy, underscoring the importance of scientific cooperation, environmental protection, and sustainable development in the dynamically evolving Arctic landscape.
Their efforts are poised to yield valuable insights into the intricate interplay between the Arctic climate and the Indian monsoon system while contributing to a broader comprehension of the effects of global warming.
The anticipated success of this expedition is poised to establish a foundation for ongoing presence and research in the Arctic, echoing India’s endeavours in the Antarctic.
India has been conducting summer expeditions to the Arctic since 2007, and in 2008, established its permanent research base, Himadri, in the Ny-Alesund region of Svalbard, Norway. For the winter expedition, the Norwegian agencies have generously provided logistical and other support to the Indian team, marking their inaugural visit to the Arctic.
Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju, who flagged off the maiden mission, said that the Norwegian government’s confidence in Indian scientists is evident. He highlighted that India’s presence during the winter expedition will contribute value. Emphasising the role of scientists and young students in shaping India into a developed nation, Rijiju noted that India is venturing into various frontiers, including the moon, the deep ocean, and the polar region.
Who is undertaking the mission?
The Raman Research Institute (RRI) is set to partake in India’s inaugural winter expedition to the Arctic region. RRI highlighted that this marks the first occasion researchers will delve into characterising the radio frequency environment in the Svalbard region of the Arctic.
A dedicated team of four scientists will embark on this pioneering winter expedition, focusing on conducting atmospheric observations amidst the polar nights, studying auroral changes, and closely monitoring fluctuations in sea ice.
The quartet comprising Athulya R from NCPOR, Girish B S from Raman Research Institute, Prashant Rawat from IIT-Mandi, and Surendra Singh from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology constitute the team, all of whom are venturing into the Arctic for the first time.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences is providing funding for the month-long scientific expedition, with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), based in Goa, serving as the lead agency for the expedition. The venture is scheduled from December 19, 2023, to January 15, 2024.
SARAS
For nearly a decade, engineers and scientists at Raman Research Institute (RRI) have been dedicated to developing the Shaped Antenna measurement of the background Radio Spectrum (SARAS) series of experiments.
SARAS focuses explicitly on studying the faint cosmological signal from hydrogen, commonly known as the 21-cm signal, which emanates from the Cosmic Dawn and the Epoch of Reionization. Sensitive electronic instruments will be employed to examine the incoming radio signals, covering the frequency range of 5 – 500 megahertz (MHz) at accessible sites near Himadri.
Dr. Saurabh Singh, Associate Professor at Raman Research Institute (RRI) and Principal Investigator of the SARAS experiment, mentioned that SARAS has produced significant scientific results from past observations in India. This includes remote regions of Ladakh and backwaters in western Karnataka, and one of the key reasons for its success has been the access to these radio-quiet locations. He added that the Arctic survey will inform them about the radio quietness of the site for deploying the SARAS radio telescope in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard.
Challenges
Raman Research Institute (RRI) highlighted that detecting signals from the Cosmic Dawn and the Epoch of Reionization poses a significant challenge due to their highly faint and weak nature.
Moreover, these signals are susceptible to interference from brighter radiations emitted by various radio frequency interference (RFI) sources, such as cell phone towers, FM and television stations, and natural radiation sources within the universe.
Girish B.S., from the Electronics Engineering Group at Raman Research Institute (RRI) highlighted that rampant urbanisation has diminished space for deploying scientific experiments for cosmological studies. Many places where low-frequency astronomical observations were previously conducted are no longer suitable for precision measurements, with RFI being the most significant limitation in achieving the required sensitivity.
India-Arctic Monsoon Relationship
Despite India’s tropical geographical location, experts emphasise that any changes in the Arctic have direct implications for India’s climate. M Rajeevan, former MoES Secretary, stressed the interconnectedness between the Indian monsoon behaviours and the Arctic.
The former MoES Secretary emphasised that the Arctic holds great scientific significance for India. He stressed the robust relationship between the Arctic and the Indian monsoon, stating that it is imperative to enhance understanding of this dynamic and ensure that models accurately portray this intricate relationship.
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He also underscored the pressing concern of global warming‘s impact on the Arctic, which is particularly vulnerable. This includes the Arctic Amplification of warming, the melting of sea ice, and the consequential effects on its marine environment.
Thamban Meloth, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) director, highlighted that Arctic warming and its changes have already impacted India. Evidence suggests that many extreme precipitation events in India originate from the loss of Arctic sea ice. Additionally, studies have revealed that the increased intensification of Arabian Sea cyclones is associated with a warmer Arctic.
Future Plans
Since 2013, India has held the status of an ‘Observer‘ in the Arctic Circle Assembly and forums while also being a council member of the University of Arctic. The NCPOR joined the Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System in 2019.
Meloth conveyed that India has been engaged in discussions and collaborations with various Danish and Norwegian institutes focused on Arctic research. However, India must acquire its own polar exploration vessel to plan more extensive scientific expeditions independently.
“At present, collaboration with other countries, such as Korea, allows us to utilise their research vessels for our studies. For India to explore frontier and potential areas in the polar region, having its research vessel is imperative,” added Meloth.
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) director further outlined India’s ambitious plans to enhance its research capabilities in the polar region. This includes ongoing observations in the Canadian Arctic region during the summer and similar explorations planned for the Greenland area.
Additionally, India aims to establish a network of observatories to deepen the understanding of land-sea-atmosphere-cryospheric relations, boost a trained workforce in polar research, and enhance its participation in the Arctic Council and related forums.
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