Fields of Science

12 October 2018

There were two opening ceremony that took place on the 18^th October and 22^nd October, 2018.

More pictures from the opening can be seen here

27 November 2015

The building, now close to being finished, is about 760 m², located slightly north and above the current buildings at Kárhóll, in accordance with a confirmed area site plan, see here.

The building is three levels, built out of concrete and steel. The first floor is dedicated to Science Outreach, the second is for laboratories and management, and the third for scientific equipment. See the pictures and drawings below.

Research has started in the building as of October 2017.

The building and its surroundings are expected to be fully completed by the latest fall 2018.

Inquiry through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Pictures from the construction of Kárhóll can be seen in the picture album.

12 October 2018

The CIAO (China-Iceland Arctic Observatory):

• A Framework Agreement on Arctic Cooperation was signed by Yang Jiechi, former Foreign Minister of China and Össur Skarphéðinsson, former Foreign Minister of Iceland, in April 2012 during an official visit by the former Premier of China, Wen Jiabao, to Iceland.
• A memorandum of understanding in the field of marine and polar science and technology between the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs and State Oceanic Administration was signed on the same occasion.
• Agreement on Scientific Cooperation on China-Iceland Joint Aurora Observatory between Science Institute, University of Iceland and PRIC, August 2012
• MoU on Chinese-Icelandic Research Cooperation on Arctic Issues between PRIC and RANNÍS, August 2012
• Framework Agreement on China-Iceland Joint Aurora Observatory, between PRIC and Rannís, 2013 and renewed in 2018.
• SOA delegation visited Iceland in 2011 during which discussion on potential research collaboration including on establishing a joint observatory took place.
• Research icebreaker Xu Long came to Iceland in August 2012 and visited both Reykjavik and Akureyri.
• PRIC leaders visited Kárhóll to explore the potential location for an observatory. Initial agreement was made that the location was acceptable for the Observatory and negotiation on the details of the collaboration where initiated.

27 November 2015

The Arctic Observatory is a scientific cooperation between Icelandic and Chinese research institutions. The aim of this cooperation is to further the scientific understanding on solar-terrestrial interaction and space weather by conducting polar upper atmosphere observations, such as auroras, geomagnetic field variations and other related phenomena, and outreach to the public.

The states have already signed an Agreement, the Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS) on behalf of Iceland and Polar Research Insitute of China on behalf of Chinese scientists. RANNIS coordinates and promotes Icelandic participation in collaborative international projects in science and technology. PRIC conducts comprehensive studies and outreach, operates scientific and logistic infrastructures and promotes international cooperation in the polar regions.

It is expected that Chinese scientists and other international visiting scientists will be doing research at the observatory and staying at the research centre for some period at time. The joint centre for Arctic science observations will undoubtedly strengthen the already existing aurora observations done in Iceland and internationally. It will add to research in some areas such as in the field of spectrum analysis. The partnership with Chinese scientists is open for the possibility of cooperation in other fields of Arctic science, particularly within natural sciences, such as biology, and within the field of climate research.

RANNIS will coordinate Icelandic scientific participation and PRIC will coordinate Chinese scientific participation. All observation data will be made available and open to international scientific community.

Research partners:

Iceland: The Icelandic Centre for Research, Science Institute of the Universitry of Iceland, the Icelandic Meteorological Office, The University of Akureyri, the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network, Húsavík Academic Center, Arctic Portal.

China: Polar Research Institute of China, National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Institute of Geology and Geophysics, CAS; China Research Institute of Radio Wave Propagation; National Center for Space Weather; Institute of Space Physics and Applied Technology, Peking University; School of Electronic Information, Wuhan University; School of Earth and Space Science, University of Science and Technology of China; School of Space Science and Physics, Shandong University.