National Heliogeophysical Complex of the Russian Academy of Sciences

For the purpose of moving to a whole new level of experimental research in solar-terrestrial physics in Russian science, ISTP SB RAS in cooperation with many domestic and foreign organizations and relying on high technologies has been building up the National Heliogeophysical Complex (NHGC) containing several radically new devices: 1. Large solar telescope - coronagraph with 3-meter mirror (LST-3). 2. Multiwave radioheliograph for the frequency range 3-24 GHz. 3. Radiophysical complex for ionospheric and atmospheric research. 4. Network of coherent high-frequency radars. 5. Lidar optical complex for atmospheric and ionospheric research. The objective of NHGC is a complex and coordinated study of physical phenomena and processes in the Sun-Earth system. The objective of LST-3 is to study the fine structure of solar magnetism determining major effects of activity, luminosity variability, physical parameters of the solar atmosphere and corona. The multiwave radioheliograph will enable us, first, to considerably improve coronal magnetography, the key question for methods of forecasting flares and coronal mass ejections, and, second, to acquire unique data on the nature of energy-release processes in these structures. The radiophysical complex is designed to investigate processes in the ionosphere-atmosphere system and includes a new-generation IS/MST radar, heating facility, Norilsk-Irkutsk meridional chain of stations equipped with radiophysical, optical, and magnetometric instruments. The objective of the Russian network of coherent high-frequency radars is to investigate ionospheric-magnetospheric processes over northern Russia with high temporal and spatial resolution and to form the Russian segment of the international radar network SuperDARN. The lidar optical complex combining active laser systems and passive optical instruments is designed to study profile characteristics of physical parameters and composition of the middle and upper atmosphere formed under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors. The implementation of the project is planned for 2013-2020.