The Longyearbyen Optical Station is the only ground station in the northern hemisphere with regular scheduled airline service which permits 24 hour observation of the aurora and airglow. The EISCAT radar polar cap extension will be built a few miles from the observatory site. This proposal seeks funding for maintenance of Longyearbyen in support of the CEDAR and GEM programs so that it will provide a ready location for continued high latitude optical studies. The station has supported investigations of dayside and nightside aurora, ionospheric currents, high latitude dynamics of the thermosphere and mesosphere and also measurements of stratospheric minor constituents connected with the ozone cycle. In collaboration with the University of Tromso, the University of Alaska has developed the station to a modern research facility in the Arctic tundra complete with a set of first class optical and magnetic instruments, individual observing bays for visitors, areas for setup and repair, and comfortable living conditions. The PIs plan the continuation of this work with centrally supported maintenance of the station and its instrument complement.
