Ground Level Enhancement Event Monitor (GLEEM)
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
The risks posed by space weather are becoming more widely recognised, and they are now listed on the UK National Risk Register. In particular, hard solar energetic particle (SEP) events containing a substantial flux of particles with energies greater than 300 MeV pose a considerable risk. Ground level neutron monitors detect such solar events, termed ground level enhancement (GLE) events, at the Earth's surface and have done so since the 1940s. Typically there is around one GLE event per year and they have durations from 1 to 12 hours, the largest event observed with instruments was measured in Leeds on 23 February 1956. Besides other ground-detectable space weather phenomena, GLE events have the potential to disrupt critical national infrastructures, such as the power grid, transport (aviation and rail), satellite applications and communications, and safety critical electronic control systems. Deducing space weather radiation at the top of the Earth's atmosphere from measurements made by neutron monitors on the Earth's surface requires a globally distributed network of monitors and models that simulate the physics of particle interactions in the Earth's atmosphere. The Met Office is responsible for reporting space weather risks to government departments and civil aviation, among others, and has recognised that it does not have sufficient capabilities to provide the necessary services for space weather radiation hazards. For example there are only 50 ground level neutron monitors worldwide still operational, none of these are located in the UK. The design of existing monitors and their instrumentation have changed very little over the last sixty years, they rely on detector materials that are either highly toxic (boron trifluoride) or now too expensive (helium-3), and are large and bulky instruments containing lead shielding.
Concerns over the use of these materials in other applications involving neutron detection has led to the development of a plethora of alternative detection technologies. Despite the wide range of alternative neutron detectors now available, very few are suitable for the specific application requirements of ground-level neutron monitoring, where high detection efficiency and several decades of stability are essential.
GLEEM will adopt detector technology that was developed for unattended safeguards monitors, where similar challenges exist, to develop and demonstrate a prototype network of new, compact instruments, that are suited for unattended operation in relatively remote locations. The new monitors will be tested at existing monitoring sites to verify that such instruments can produce comparable results to those from existing ground level neutron monitors, and potentially enhance existing global capabilities. As proof of concept, a network of two instruments will be demonstrated as part of a test deployment, to provide a compatible data stream for incorporation into the Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre (MOSWOC) and feed into the airborne radiation modelling being developed as part of SWIMMR N2, the NERC funded SWIMMR Aviation Risk Modelling (SWARM) project. Ultimately GLEEM aims to construct and operate a significantly cheaper instrument, re-introduce monitoring in the UK and facilitate a major increase in space weather monitoring worldwide.
Concerns over the use of these materials in other applications involving neutron detection has led to the development of a plethora of alternative detection technologies. Despite the wide range of alternative neutron detectors now available, very few are suitable for the specific application requirements of ground-level neutron monitoring, where high detection efficiency and several decades of stability are essential.
GLEEM will adopt detector technology that was developed for unattended safeguards monitors, where similar challenges exist, to develop and demonstrate a prototype network of new, compact instruments, that are suited for unattended operation in relatively remote locations. The new monitors will be tested at existing monitoring sites to verify that such instruments can produce comparable results to those from existing ground level neutron monitors, and potentially enhance existing global capabilities. As proof of concept, a network of two instruments will be demonstrated as part of a test deployment, to provide a compatible data stream for incorporation into the Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre (MOSWOC) and feed into the airborne radiation modelling being developed as part of SWIMMR N2, the NERC funded SWIMMR Aviation Risk Modelling (SWARM) project. Ultimately GLEEM aims to construct and operate a significantly cheaper instrument, re-introduce monitoring in the UK and facilitate a major increase in space weather monitoring worldwide.
Publications

Aspinall MD
(2024)
A new ground level neutron monitor for space weather assessment.
in Scientific reports
Description | We discovered that boron-coated straw based thermal neutron detectors are not a cost-affected detector choice for a new ground-level neutron monitor (NM) design. We have proved via simulation that modern helium-3 detectors at 4-atmosphere fill pressure offer a more cost-efficient solution to a ground-level neutron monitor design that is cheaper, more compact, yet with equal counting performance to the 1964 standard NM design. |
Exploitation Route | It has been taken forward and we are now executing the implementation of the new NM design. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Electronics Energy Environment Government Democracy and Justice Transport |
URL | https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ST%2FW001810%2F1 |
Description | We are implementing the new NM design and installing it at a UK Met Office observatory. The ownership of the instrument will be transferred to the Met Office at the end of the follow-on funds awarded as a result of this funding. |
First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | Ground Level Enhancement Event Monitor (GLEEM) |
Amount | £1,268,970 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/X002241/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2022 |
End | 03/2024 |
Title | Parameterised Monte-Carlo radiation transport model |
Description | A model used to optimise the response of space weather neutron detectors. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The model is used to help the strategy of design for improved detector efficiency. |
Description | Mirion Technologies Inc. |
Organisation | Mirion Technologies Inc |
Department | Mirion Technologies (Canberra UK) Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Access to a new, alternative detector technology for comparison with their existing technology. |
Collaborator Contribution | Contributed to and conducted experimental work, provided access to radioactive sources, provided access to auxiliary, standard instrumentation. |
Impact | Experimental characterisation of new detector technology; a key element of the research project's main deliverable. Work submitted as conference abstract and to be written-up for journal publication. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Named collaborator: Hybrid Instruments Ltd. |
Organisation | Hybrid Instruments Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Opportunity for UK company to break into new market. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Hybrid Instrument team is expert in ultra-fast digital instrumentation design and real-time digital signal processing for radiation measurements with a track record in delivering bespoke hardware with these capabilities. |
Impact | Detailed design of electronics for inclusion in reports and steering R&D activities; core project deliverables. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Named collaborator: UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) |
Organisation | Culham Centre for Fusion Energy |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Opportunity to explore a new research area. |
Collaborator Contribution | Providing MCNP modelling expertises. |
Impact | Development of unique models comparing existing instrumentation with novel instrumentation designs. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | The UK Metrological Office (end user) |
Organisation | Meteorological Office UK |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Delivering the next generation of ground-based neutron monitor for cosmic radiation monitoring. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provided customer requirements and site access. |
Impact | Implementation of the UK's first ground-level neutron monitor since the 1980's. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Appointed as Senior Expert of the NERC Constructing a Digital Environment Expert Network, 2022/23. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The NERC/UKRI 'Constructing a Digital Environment' Programme (www.digitalenvironment.org) is an exciting challenge, set to develop for the first time the thinking and practice around a 'digitally enabled environment', providing benexfits for policy makers, businesses, communities and individuals. The focus of the programme is the combination of environmental science, with computer science, data science and behavioural science. Key to the programme is the appointment of an Expert Network of leading influencer-practitioners, thought-leaders, and scientific and technical authorities whose work will identify best practices in 'digital environment' and help influence UK environmental policy thinking, drawing on expertise in the methodologies and tools for assessing, analysing, monitoring and forecasting the state of the natural environment. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
URL | https://digitalenvironment.org/home/digital-environment-expert-network/#MichaelAspinall |
Description | Exclusive printed article, ''Space-weather detector to warn of solar disaster'', The Sunday Times, 3 July 2022, Issue No 10,321. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Exclusive printed article, ''Space-weather detector to warn of solar disaster'', The Sunday Times, 3 July 2022, Issue No 10,321. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Invited talk to the National Physical Laboratory Virtual Conference on Applied Radiation Metrology (vCARM), November 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CARM is the latest in a series of annual conferences run by NPL for the nuclear metrology community, bringing together expertise from areas including nuclear medicine, the nuclear industry, manufacturers, radioanalytical laboratories and academia. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.npl.co.uk/events/conference-on-applied-radiation-metrology-2022 |
Description | Online article, "Solar storm warning: UK 'flying blind' on space weather risks, but new monitor could help", Express online, 6 July 2022. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Online article, "Solar storm warning: UK 'flying blind' on space weather risks, but new monitor could help", Express online, 6 July 2022. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1636653/solar-storm-warning-uk-flying-blind-space-weather-ris... |
Description | Online article, "The computer errors from outer space", BBC Futures, 12 October 2022. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Online article, "The computer errors from outer space", BBC Futures, 12 October 2022. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Podcast, "The Sunday 7 - Cornwall prepares for space, Getting Neurons Drunk and Bit Flips from Cosmic Rays...", The Smart 7 podcast, 23 October 2022. A short feature on the fragility of our digital lives in the face of solar flares. The Smart 7 podcast has just hit 10 million downloads. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Podcast, "The Sunday 7 - Cornwall prepares for space, Getting Neurons Drunk and Bit Flips from Cosmic Rays...", The Smart 7 podcast, 23 October 2022. A short feature on the fragility of our digital lives in the face of solar flares. The Smart 7 podcast has just hit 10 million downloads. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition is an annual event that showcases the most exciting cutting-edge science and technology research. It provides a unique opportunity for members of the public to interact with scientists and ask them questions about their work. The Exhibition is the Society's main public event of the year and is open to members of the general public as well as students and teachers, scientists, policymakers and the media. It is one of the most prestigious science events in the UK & has Worldwide traction. Following a highly competitive and peer-reviewed process we were awarded a place at the 2022 SSE with our exhibit titled "Monitoring extreme space weather events". The SSE attracts considerable international press coverage with more than 13,000 visitors. Media coverage from the event is exceptional. It has the potential to be covered by The Times, New Scientist, Mail Online, The Economic Times, Sky News, BBC Breakfast and BBC's Tomorrow's World, for example. Raising awareness of our instrument, and the underlying problem it addresses, will help to influence policy. Attracting new commercial partners to accelerate development of the technology readiness level (TRL). The instrument being developed at Lancaster is currently at TRL 3/4; research to prove feasibility of commercially available detectors in a novel application area. Growth of LU's spin-out company, Hybrid Instruments Ltd., who are project collaborators, could lead to further investment in LU and new research projects. Training and development opportunities for LU UG, PhD students and PDRA. The process of exhibiting at an event of this scale, interacting with the public and media, has exceptional value. There is potential for the exhibitors to apply for communication and science-based prizes (e.g., Springer's Thesis Prize and IOP's Communication Prize). Institutionally, LU has an impressive track record of impact generated through this annual Royal Society event. The exhibition will support in engaging stakeholders through physical presence and online media following and could contribute to a future REF submission. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition (SSE), July 2022, "Monitoring extreme space weather" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition (SSE), July 2022. This is an annual 5-day event showcasing the UK's most exciting cutting-edge science and technology research. It is the Society's main public event of the year and is open to members of the public, students and teachers, scientists, policymakers and the media. I was awarded a place at the 2022 exhibition with "Monitoring extreme space weather". I led a team of 16, delivering an interactive exhibit explaining 'what space weather is', 'why we should care' and 'how Lancaster University are making a difference'. I provided a public engagement and communications training/mentoring day for volunteers, ensuring all were briefed of the content whilst helping build confidence. • >330k views of all digital content. • 6,774 visitors, 94% rated the exhibition 'excellent' or 'good'. • 766 students and staff visited the exhibition. 45% of all schools came from outside of London, with 13% of those coming from outside the home counties. • 100% of teachers rated their overall visit as 'very good' or 'good'; 100% confirmed that they had personally gained more scientific knowledge; 74% of teachers said they had gained ideas for new lesson content. • Created a personal/professional development opportunity for nine UG students. Three attended the evening VIP Soirée. Student feedback: "Developed my confidence and strengthened my communication skills" - 1st-year Engineering student; "I enjoyed the unrelated conversations, e.g., talking with a sixth-former who wanted my advice on choosing and preparing for university." - 1st-year Engineering student. • Participated in the Talk Science Careers sessions. 45-minute-long career sessions aimed at students in KS4 (or equivalent), 11 sessions took place over three days. • 90% of teachers rated the Talk Science Careers sessions as 'good' or 'very good'. 74% 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that students had gained a greater understanding about the skills used in scientific jobs, "opportunity to discuss career pathways and the experiences of the researchers..." - Teacher. • 92% of students felt they had been able to talk to the researchers and find out more about their career paths; 89% confirmed the sessions helped them learn more about science careers to help inform their future choices. Attending students ages ranged from pre-GCSE (younger than age 14) to A level (up to age 18). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/engineering/about/outreach/royal-society-summer-science-exhibition-/ |
Description | SWIMMR Symposium 2022, Met Office, Exeter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | https://hopin.com/events/the-2022-swimmr-symposium |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | YouTube video, "How dangerous is 'space weather'? | The Royal Society", 20 July 2022, over 18.6k views, 171k subscribers. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | YouTube video, "How dangerous is 'space weather'? | The Royal Society", 20 July 2022, over 18.6k views, 171k subscribers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |