The Chinese ground-based instrumentation in support of the combined Cluster/Double Star satellite measurements

Abstract

Ground-based observations can be used to provide substantial support for Cluster/Double Star measurements and greatly enhance the mission's scientific return. There are six Chinese ground stations involved in coordinated cluster/Double Star and ground-based instrument observations. Among them, the Chinese Zhongshan Station in Antarctica and the Yellow River Station on Svalbard are closely magnetic conjugate and are situated under the ionospheric projection of the magnetospheric cusp regions, which, combined with satellite data, provide a perfect configuration to conduct conjugate studies of cusp phenomena. In this paper we present the ground-based instrumentation at these stations, discuss the restriction which is applyed to the optical sites and present an overview of the occurrences for conjunctions of these instruments with the spacecraft. Samples of data products are given to illustrate the potential use of these instrumentations in coordination with Cluster/Double Star measurements.