2026 Workshop: Auroral Science with Heterogeneous Datasets + Rockets!

This workshop focuses on ionospheric responses in the auroral zone contributing to system-science characterizations of the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere (MIT). The heterogeneous nature of this response requires the use of a variety of observations from diverse platforms. Recent and ongoing development of new tools for incorporating data from distributed multi-instrument, multi-platform heterogeneous sources is facilitating improved understanding of auroral dynamics, new science from combining observations in novel ways, and the inclusion of these derived datasets into state-of-the art models and data assimilation techniques. This session will particularly emphasize recent results from the 2026 sounding rocket campaigns out of Poker Flat, Alaska, and how they benefit from these heterogeneous tools.

This workshop aims to gather interested members of the community together to share recent research and discuss results and future developments in a collaborative setting. It will be structured as a series of short (3-5 minute) presentations within a shared slide deck that highlight recent research with significant time at the end for moderated group discussion. Anyone interested in showing a few slides should contact the conveners so topics can be grouped and organized in advance, but all are welcome to participate in the open discussion!