Looking up from the ice: an interview with Mark Clilverd

We recently hosted the 12th VERSIM Workshop in Sopron, Hungary. Among the participants was Mark Clilverd of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), who studies space weather from one of the coldest places on Earth. We took the opportunity to talk with him about fieldwork on the ice, the VERSIM research community, Hungary’s role in the field and his next trip to Antarctica.

A space scientist on the ice

You are representing the British Antarctic Survey at a space physics conference. What does a space scientist do on the icy Antarctic?

Although BAS scientists typically investigates the role of Antarctica in the global environmental system, space scientists use Antarctica as a platform for equipment that effectively looks up into near-Earth space and studies the impact of Space Weather.

In reality this means visiting the instruments once a year, making sure they are working OK, and usually digging a lot of snow from around the equipment.

Building a community

What is VERSIM, why is its work important for the space physics community?

The role of VERSIM (as I see it) is to bring together scientists that use low frequency radio waves to investigate the space physics processes that occur in the near-Earth environment (via remote sensing).

Communication of research activity, access to expertise, and the generation of new ideas is a key part of VERSIM’s remit. Development of strong working relationships within the VERSIM members has helped many of the community to flourish.

Hungary’s place in the field

Hungary is a small country with a limited research budget. How do you see the role of Hungary and its potential in this field?

Hungary produces high quality scientists and excellent engineers who are key to the development of scientific ideas and equipment used by the VERSIM community.

Collaboration with countries with different skill sets or infrastructure allows Hungary to be a substantial member of the VERSIM community.

Next stop: Rothera

When will you next visit the British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Station and for what purpose?

At the moment I am considering a visit in February 2027, possibly for a month or so. The visit will be to try to resolve a problem with noise interference on one of our VLF space weather instruments which is part of a collaboration with Hungary.

The solution might be to move the equipment to a new location about 300 km away, but first I will have to make some measurements to make sure the move will be worthwhile.