Report of MSG-6 on the scientific aspects of an international equatorial observatory (IEO)

Abstract

MSG-6 has been set up to study this on the basis that there is need to have observatories very close to the equator so that we may understand equatorial dynamics much more precisely than we do now. Such observatories, which are equipped with MST radars, lidar and other facilities, should be constructed and operated th rough international cooperation. Specific require­ments for the observation of equatorial middle atmosphere dynamics were discussed at the Workshop held 10-12 May 1982 at Estes Park, CO, USA, as will be shown in Section 2. MSG-6 has further worked on the problem, obtaining the opinions of each member as to the following questio ns: (1 ) locations of IEOs; (2) specification of the faciliti es at IEOs; and (3) finanical support on the construction and the maintenance of IEOs.The proposed locations for IEOs are, in alphabetical arder, Christmas Island, Galapagos Island, Kourous, Nauru and Tumbes (or Iquitos).