The Horizon Europe project, SPEARHEAD (SPEcification, Analysis & Re-calibration of High Energy pArticle Data), has successfully completed its Periodic Report Meeting (PRM) on July 07, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the project’s development.
SPEARHEAD is coordinated by the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) and brings together a strong consortium including the University of Turku (UTU), Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU), University of Oulu (UOULU), Institute of Research in Astrophysics and Planetology (IRAP/UT3), Space Applications & Research Consultancy (SPARC), Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), and the Hvar Observatory (OH).
The project is dedicated to advancing the analysis, calibration, and interpretation of high-energy particle data, providing vital tools and methodologies to deepen scientific understanding of fundamental particles and their behavior. SPEARHEAD focuses on delivering comprehensive analysis of very high-energy particle observations (electrons >1 MeV and ions >100 MeV/nucleon) from key heliophysics missions—including SOHO, Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe, BepiColombo, STEREO, Chandra, Ulysses, Planck, Integral, Herschel—as well as ground-based measurements (such as neutron monitors and data from the Mars Science Laboratory). The project aims to address longstanding scientific questions regarding the acceleration, release, and transport of energetic particles, while offering consolidated datasets, methodologies, and open-access tools to the broader scientific community.
During the PRM, Work Package leaders shared detailed progress updates and key scientific achievements. The feedback from the External Evaluator (Dr. Jürgen Watermann) and the Project Officer (Zoran Kovac) was highly positive and constructive, reflecting the project’s strong performance.
Looking ahead, the SPEARHEAD consortium is energized to continue the next phases of the project, which remains firmly on track.