The Horizon Europe project, SPEARHEAD (SPEcification, Analysis & Re-calibration of High Energy pArticle Data), has successfully completed its Interim Report Meeting (IRM) on October 29 2024, marking a critical milestone in the project’s progress. SPEARHEAD’s consortium is led by the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) and includes the University of Turku (UTU), the Christian-Albrechts-Universitat zu Kiel (CAU), the University of Oulu (UOULU), the Institute of Research in Astrophysics and Planetology (IRAP/UT3), Space Applications & Research Consultancy (SPARC), the Instituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF) and the Hvar Observatory (OH).
SPEARHEAD aims to enhance the analysis, calibration, and interpretation of high-energy particle data, providing essential tools and methodologies to deepen our understanding of fundamental particles and their behaviors. The project is specifically focused on providing a thorough analysis of very high-energy particle observations (electrons >1 MeV and ions >100 MeV/nucleon) from the most important heliophysics missions (SOHO, Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe, BepiColombo, STEREO, Chandra, Ulysses, Planck, Integral, Herschel) combined with ground based measurements (neutron monitors, Mars Science Laboratory). It will shed light to open scientific questions on the acceleration, release and transport of energetic particles. In doing so, the project will provide consolidated datasets, methodologies and open access tools to the community; enabling breakthrough science.
During the IRM, Work Package leaders presented detailed updates and key findings. The comments received by the External Evaluator (Dr Jurgen Watermann) and the Project Officer (Zoran Kovac) were constructive and positive.
Looking ahead, the SPEARHEAD team will focus on the upcoming phases of implementation, with the project being well on track!