Arctic Environment Research Center
Facilities - for collaborative research-
AERC maintains observatory on Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago in order to promote Arctic research. We also accept applications for special joint research experiments using the EISCAT radar. Please view the links below for more information on the facilities.
CONTACT
e-mail : aerc-kikaku@nipr.ac.jp
Available Observation Facilities
Ny-Ålesund NIPR Observatory
AERC operates the Ny-Ålesund NIPR Observatory on Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago. Here we conduct research on the Arctic environment across a variety of disciplines in cooperation with Japanese and oversea research institutes. The following is a brief outline of Ny-Ålesund's natural surroundings, facilities and application procedures for using the observatory.
Ny-Ålesund
Ny-Ålesund is located on Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, which is about 1000 km north-northwest of Tromsø in northern Norway. The main town on Spitsbergen is Longyearbyen, which is connected to Tromsø with regularly scheduled commercial air service. Charter flights connect Longyearbyen to Ny-Ålesund.
Ny-Ålesund is located at 78°55'N, 11°56'E. The midnight sun and polar night each last about four months. The coldest month is February with an average temperature of -14.6°C. The warmest month is July with an average temperature of +4.9°C. Average annual precipitation is approximately 385mm. (*Temperatures are based on data measurements taken by Norway's Meteorogisk Institutt between 1961 and 1990.)
Ny-Ålesund is an international research village, and the observatory is owned and operated by a Kings Bay company AS. It also operates a post office, shop, cafeteria, hotel and other facilities. Telephone, fax and internet services are available. Since Ny-Ålesund is operated by a limited number of people, your daily lifestyle will be restricted by the shop hours. Ample preparation is necessary.
Ny-Ålesund meteorological informations
* Weather forecast from yr.no, delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the NRK
Getting from Japan to Ny-Ålesund
From Japan, you make your way to Longyearbyen via Oslo and Tromsø, Norway using commercial air service. Reservations for aircraft for the remaining trip from Longyearbyen to Ny-Ålesund are made via AERC.
There are two to four regular flights per week during summer and one or two flights per week during winter.
Cost: NOK6,750 per person round-trip. There are discounts available for under graduate and graduate student in master course (as of January 2019).
The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) office
AERC manages an office at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Island.
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is a coal-mining town with a population of approximately 2,000. You can purchase basic supplies at the supermarket and shops in town. As for lodging, there are several hotels in town, but all of them require advance reservations. Buses timed to the arrival and departure of scheduled flights run between the airport and the center of the town. Most of the public phones require prepaid cards which can be purchased at the shops in Longyearbyen.
Longyearbyen meteorological informations
* Weather forecast from yr.no, delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the NRK
Facility for Special Joint Research Experiments (By Application)
EISCAT Radar,Longyearbyen
Observatory Station in Iceland
Aourora observed abouve Iceland, which is the geomagnetic conjugate point of Showa Station.
