INSTITUTE OF SPACE AND ATMOSPHERIC STUDIES
The Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies (ISAS) is a research
organization of the University of Saskatchewan. The Institute comprises approximately
38 persons: 10 senior scientists who are also professors, 5 research associates and
post doctoral fellows, 4 research assistants, 5 research engineers and technologists,
10 graduate students, and 4 technical and administrative staff. The linkages with the
"Physics and Engineering Physics Department" are very strong, as the Institute uses
the second and third floors of the Physics Building; and graduate students have
course-structures which ensure that their M.Sc./Ph.D. degrees are in the discipline of
"Physics", or "Engineering Physics".
The research activities are based upon a strong and diverse set of observational
systems, including ground-based radar and optical devices, rockets and
space vehicles. The analysis of the data from these systems leads to matching
theoretical and modelling activities. Specifically, the main projects are as follows:
- The chemical and physical aeronomy of the stratosphere, mesosphere and
lower thermosphere (middle atmosphere), using ground based, rocket and space
vehicle systems (E.J. Llewellyn);
- Studies of planetary atmospheres (aeronomy), including the planet Earth,
using telescopes and space vehicles (G.R.Davis);
- The dynamics of the upper middle atmosphere (55 - 110 km), including
measurements of all scales of waves, using MF radars and satellites (A.H. Manson);
- The auroral E and F regions (100 - 300 km), focusing upon plasma instabilities
and waves, and the coupling with the magnetosphere above and atmosphere below,
using HF and VHF radars mainly ( G.J. Sofko
A. (Sasha) Koustov, G.C. Hussey, J.A. Koehler);
- Theoretical studies of terrestrial plasmas.
The research activities are supported by the University of Saskatchewan; the
Canadian Space Agency (CSA); the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council Canada (NSERC) through grants to individual professors; and the Atmospheric
Environment Service (AES).. The institute was also a node of the Canadian Network
for Space Research (CNSR), which was a federally and provincially funded "Centres of
Excellence" activity (1990-95).
The programs at ISAS are strongly linked to major national and international
activities, with many scientists playing major roles in their operation, e.g. STEP 1990 -
97 (Solar Terrestrial Energy Programme)
and post-STEP programmes 1998-2002 (SRAMP,
PSMOS, EPIC); CEDAR (Coupling Energetics and Dynamics
of Atmospheric Regions - U.S.); Space vehicles such as UARS (WINDII, HRDI);
VIKING; FREJA; ISO/LWS; ODIN/OSIRIS; MOPITT; and the Canadian CANOPUS and CNSR
(1990 - 95) programmes.
Funding is readily available for well qualified graduate students (NSERC rates
are typically $12,000/year). Applications should be sent to: DR. A.H. Manson, CHAIR,
INSTITUTE OF SPACE AND ATMOSPHERIC STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN,
116 SCIENCE PLACE,
SASKATOON, SK, S7N-5E2
1-306-966-6449 Voice (Chair)
1-306-966-6428 FAX
1-306-966-6401 Telephone (ISAS Office)
manson@skisas.usask.ca (e-mail)