“Aim Far: Research in Antarctica led by Mahidol University”

A press conference, entitled “Aim Far: Research in Antarctica led by Mahidol University”, was held today on January 9th, 2020 from 10:30 to noon in Room K102, Chalermprakiat Building, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Phayathai Campus. The event was presided over by HE Mr.Allan McKinnon PSM, The Australian Ambassador to Thailand; Professor Wachira Kochakarn, Acting Vice President for Research and Scientific Affairs, Mahidol University; Associate Professor Palangpon Kongsaeree, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University; Professor Sompong Klaynongsruang, Deputy Director of Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI); and Dr.Suparerk Aukkaravittayapun, Director for Research Facilitation, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT). The research team led by Professor David J. Ruffolo at the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, together with researchers at universities in Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, has received grants from TSDI and NARIT, to carry out a project entitled “Cosmic ray monitoring at Mawson and Kingston to study space weather and space physics”, while the logistic support to Antarctica was funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP). The Thai-led team was selected to carry out this project by a highly competitive process. The research team will install special electronics and apply new analysis techniques initiated and developed in Thailand (Ruffolo et al. 2016; Mangeard et al. 2016; Banglieng et al., in press) so that this station can precisely record variations in both the flux and energy spectrum of cosmic rays (particles from space) at Mawson Station, Antarctica and Kingston, Australia. Measurements of cosmic rays from Antarctica are very important for warning of space weather effects, that is, possible effects of solar storms and the solar wind on satellites, astronauts, airline passengers, and electric power grids on Earth.

A presentation was given by Professor Ruffolo and Dr.Alejandro Sáiz, faculty members of Department of Physics, together with Mr.Pradipat Muangha, a Ph.D.student in Physics about the project, the expedition, and the work plan while in Antarctica. Dr.Sáiz and Mr.Muangha are scheduled to fly to Hobart, Australia on Jaunary 11, before boarding the ship “Aurora Australis” which will take them to Mawson Station in Antarctica in 17 days. They will be in Antarctica for about 10 days before returning to Thailand.