Heliosphere News - July 4, 2018
A newsletter devoted to Heliospheric Science.
Editor: Nathan Schwadron (nschwadron at unh.edu) Co-Editor: Mihir Desai Co-Editor: Merav Opher (mopher at bu.edu) Co-Editor: Nick Pogorelov
Web site editor: Ken Fairchild (Ken.Fairchild at unh.edu)
If you are interested in being added to the list, being removed from the
list, or posting an announcement, please send information to Nathan,
Mihir, Eric, Merav, or Nick. Posts are limited to ascii text.
Newsletters are archived on the following website:
******************* Announcements *******************
1. FALL AGU: SESSIONS IN OUTER HELIOSPHERE, Dec 10-14, 2018
2. MEETING: 49th COSPAR SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY, July 14-22, 2018, Pasadena,
California, USA
3. MEETING: ISSS-13, Sept 10-14, 2018, UCLA, Abstract Submission and
Registration Now Open
4. MEETING: International Workshop on 'Particle Acceleration and
Transport: From the Sun to Extragalactic Sources', 12-16 November 2018,
Universita Della Calabria, Rende, Italy
5. MEETING: 18th Annual International Astrophysics Conference, February
18-22, 2019, Pasadena, California, USA
6. OPPORTUNITY: Heliophysics POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Opportunity at SwRI, San Antonio
*******
1. MEETING FALL AGU: SESSIONS IN OUTER HELIOSPHERE
Fall AGU abstracts submission site
18_abstract-2Dsubmissions_&d=DwMFaQ&c=c6MrceVCY5m5A_KAUkrdoA&r=lYmWPa-grnsV-
23Qw0ra9zaZ67wHXA-ybNDx8REVl-E&m=fcyk_A84H_XboyqqvHmMWW3pJtLyrcszo98wXAhfWuM
&s=cXsHzKbw1VbtTBUXNeubrF4mH5xuEIYSg05wCA6ajk0&e=> is open. The deadline
for all submissions is Wednesday, 1 August 23:59 EDT.
Abstracts will not be accepted for review after this date.
* SH018: Physics of a Global Heliosphere
Our Sun’s interaction with the interstellar medium creates boundaries and regions
in the distant heliosphere and perturbs the local interstellar medium. Our
understanding of this interaction is bolstered by in situ observations of the
distant heliosphere from Voyager and remote-sensing observations from spacecraft
closer to Earth e.g. IBEX, Cassini/INCA, SoHO/SWAN and HSTOF. Other near-Earth
spacecraft also measure variations in the solar wind plasma, particle distributions,
and magnetic field. To obtain a full picture of the global heliosphere all of these
data must be combined with theory and models of the underlying plasma physics.
As we prepare for IMAP, it will be particularly important to understand how in situ
measurements can be connected to remote-sensing data, and what role models can
play in providing a reliable framework. We invite abstracts on data analysis,
theoretical and numerical studies which give fresh insight into the physics of the
global heliosphere.
Conveners: Joe Giacalone, Mihir Desai and Jacob Heerikhuisen
* SH019: Pickup Ions throughout the Heliosphere and Beyond
Since their discovery in the 1980?s pickup ions (PUI) are used to diagnose
the physical state and composition of neutral gas throughout and beyond the
heliosphere. Their structured injection and subsequent evolution make them
excellent probes for interstellar gas flow and interplanetary dust
distributions, ion transport and acceleration, and the heliospheric
interface regions, where, in particular, the IBEX ribbon formation depends
on PUI kinetics. In-situ and remote observations via energetic neutral atoms
demonstrate the importance of PUIs for the heliosphere dynamics. Kinetic and
fluid modeling of PUI origin and transport comprise a modern toolset to
tackle remaining puzzles of PUI evolution and further acceleration. Numerous
past and operating missions have been contributing greatly to these
advances, and, with their importance for the dynamics throughout and just
outside the heliosphere, they are at the heart of upcoming heliophysics
missions. We seek observational and theoretical contributions on all aspects
related to PUIs.
Convener: Eberhard Mobius, University of New Hampshire; Heather Elliott,
Southwest Research Institute; Nikolai Pogorelov, University of Alabama in
Huntsville; Justyna Sokol, Space Research Centre, Polish Academy of
Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, jsokol at cbk.waw.pl
* SH031: The Outer Heliosphere and Local Interstellar Medium
The outer heliosphere and local interstellar medium (LISM) are being
explored by in situ measurements and remote sensing observations. Models and
simulations provide a framework to understand these new data. This session
will cover all aspects of outer heliosphere and LISM research and provide a
synopsis of recent progress in the field.
Convener: John Richardson, MIT; Merav Opher, Boston University
* SH029: The Interstellar Probe Mission: NASA Study Findings
and Next Steps
Abstract Submission:
Session Description: The Interstellar Probe would be first dedicated mission
to venture in to the unknown space between our star and other potentially
habitable planetary systems. In 2016, congress recommended NASA to take the
enabling steps for an Interstellar scientific probe. NASA has now directed a
study of an Interstellar Probe targeting 1000 AU within 50 years. The study
objectives are to identify science targets, develop mission concepts and
evaluate critical technologies. Science targets include exploration of the
Very Local Interstellar Medium and its interaction with the heliosphere,
characterization of the circum-solar dust, flybys of unexplored Kuiper Belt
Objects, and putting these observations in the context of other exoplanetary
systems and astrospheres. This session reports on the findings spanning the
science discoveries enabled by an Interstellar Probe and its mission design,
but also seeks contributions on other scientific targets, enabling
technologies, mission concepts and programmatic challenges.
Conveners: Pontus C. Brandt, Kathy Mandt, Dick Mewaldt, Bob Wimmer.
* SH013: Novel Measurement Techniques for Space Plasma in Heliophysics and
Planetary Science
This session focuses on novel techniques for measuring and characterizing
space plasma that enable new areas of science. Space plasma sciences have
been advanced rapidly by emerging technologies throughout the space era, and
recent technological advances provide low-cost, low-power, light-weight,
high-resolution, high-cadence, high-accuracy, and wide-dynamic range
solutions which can enhance the technical capabilities for the scientific
closure of next generation missions in this area. The observation targets
can include any types of space plasma relating to Sun, Earth, planets and
bodies, interplanetary space, and interstellar media. Abstracts are
solicited that investigate and develop instruments or supporting
technologies for in-situ and remote sensing studies of particles and fields.
A clear focus on the instrument technique is highly appreciated for
abstracts in this session rather than a general description of missions.
However, enabling technologies for a novel mission concept will be welcomed
if the abstract focuses on the technology side.
Conveners: Keiichi Ogasawara, Southwest Research Institute; Jason A Gilbert,
University of Michigan Ann Arbor; John W. Bonnell; University of California
Berkeley
******************
2. MEETING: 49th COSPAR SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY, July 14-22, 2018, Pasadena,
California, USA
Heliospheric sessions:
A. Scientific Commission D
Overview Talks
Energetic Particles in the Heliosphere and in the Interstellar Medium:
Acceleration, Anisotropy and Anomalous Transport
Large-Scale Heliospheric Structure: Theory, Modelling, and Data
Acceleration and Transport of Energetic Particles in the Heliosphere and
beyond: from Pickup Ions to Cosmic Rays
Coordinated Observations and Modeling of Accelerated Particles at the
Sun and in the Inner Heliosphere
Cool Material in the Hot Solar Corona (Prominences & Coronal Rain) and
Non-solar Analogs
Solar Transients: From Solar Origin to Earth Impact and the Outer
Heliosphere
Space Climate
Highlights of Magnetospheric Plasma Physics
Cross-Scale Coupling and Multipoint Observations in the Magnetosphere
Role of Nonthermal Distributions in Wave Generation, Particle Heating
and Acceleration in Space Plasmas
Plasma Transport and Heating Across Boundary Layers
Particle Acceleration and Loss in the Earth and Planetary Magnetospheres
Magnetotail Dynamics and Substorms during Storm and Non-storm Time
Panels and Special Events
Issues in Capacity Building and Education for Space Sciences
Near-term Exploration of the Interstellar Medium
Development of Physics-based, Empirical, and Data Assimilative Models of
the Radiation Environment
Metrics and Validation Needs for Space Weather Models and Services
Solar System Space Weather
From Ionospheric Indices towards Standardised Activity Scales for Space
Weather Services
Interoperability of Space Weather Data Models, Data Holdings and Data
Access Tools
Space Weather Initiatives and Coordinated International Efforts to
implement COSPAR-ILWS Roadmap Recommendations
******************
3. MEEING: ISSS-13 Abstract Submission and Registration Now Open
Abstract submission and registration for the International
School/Symposium of Space Simulations (ISSS-13) is now open at
is June 15. ISSS-13 will be held on the campus of UCLA the week of
September 10-14, 2018. Lodging options in and around UCLA can be found
on the website.
******************
4. MEETING: International Workshop on 'Particle Acceleration and
Transport: From the Sun to Extragalactic Sources', 12-16 November 2018,
Universita Della Calabria, Rende, Italy
The University of Calabria will host the international workshop on
'Particle acceleration and transport: from the Sun to extragalactic
sources' on 2018 November 12-16
Scientific rationale:
The workshop aims at presenting recent research on the longstanding
problems of particle acceleration and transport in different
astrophysical environments, such as the Sun, the heliosphere, galactic
sources, and extragalactic sources. The purpose is to bring together
experts in the fields of cosmic ray physics, plasma turbulence,
acceleration processes, and particle transport, in order to stimulate
cross-fertilization and to exchange scientific information among
different areas. Indeed, the basic theoretical framework adopted to
describe particle acceleration and transport is common to all those
fields but the properties of the environments change noticeably. In
addition, in-situ and remote observations often question the validity of
the standard theories and prompt for further investigations to be
interpreted. The availability of large datasets from new
instrumentations and recent theoretical and numerical studies give the
opportunity to advance the models and possibly to answer some of the
basic unresolved issues. Exchange of ideas among the various fields
would certainly speed up this process.
We strongly encourage to present to the different communities recent,
pioneering observations, theories, and models that try to explain and
describe processes of particle acceleration and transport. We try to
bring together scientists who would like to understand what is happening
beyond their field of specialty.
In order to promote an efficient exchange of ideas among different
fields, each research area (solar, heliospheric, galactic, and
extragalactic physics) will be introduced by a 40 minutes broad review
talk. The majority of the talks will be upon invitation (30 minutes
each), and at the end of each day a time slot of about 45 minutes will
be dedicated to open discussions on the daily sessions led by a couple
of scientists.
Contributed talks and poster presentations will be organized.
Main Topics:
-Observations of energetic particles in the solar, heliospheric,
galactic and extragalactic environments
-Properties of cosmic ray transport and acceleration from in-situ and
remote observations
-Solar flares, Crab flares, flaring phenomena in astrophysics
-Shock acceleration: problems and advances
-Particle acceleration in magnetic reconnection, including the
relativistic regimes
-Particle acceleration in accretion flows and relativistic jets
-Transport and acceleration in non-linear regimes
-Magnetic turbulence in astrophysical plasmas: properties from large to
small scales and effects on particle transport
-Theoretical models and numerical simulations of particle transport and
acceleration
SOC:
Silvia Perri (Chair, Universita della Calabria, Rende, Italy)
Elena Amato (co-chair, INAF, Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Italy)
Gianfranco Brunetti (IRA-INAF, Bologna, Italy)
Andrey Bikov (Ioffe Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia)
Silvia Dalla (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK)
Horst Fichtner (Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, Germany)
Natasha Jeffrey (University of Glasgow, UK)
William H. Matthaeus (University of Delaware, USA)
Reinout J. van Weeren (Leiden University, The Netherlands)
Gaetano Zimbardo (Universita della Calabria, Rende, Italy)
*******************
5. MEETING: The 18th Annual International
Astrophysics Conference will be held in Pasadena, California at the
Sheraton Pasadena February 18 - 22, 2019. (Welcome Reception and Evening
Registration begins Sunday, February 17).
The meeting will follow the same format as before with 25-minute
presentations punctuated by selected 40-minute invited talks that will
explore various themes in greater detail. The conference theme for the
18th AIAC is "The Physics of Energetic Particles: Universal Processes
from the Solar Corona to the Very Local Interstellar Medium and the
Physics they Enable." More conference details and website will be
available soon. For now, mark your calendars and contact us with your
interest in attending.
E-mail inquiries about the meeting should be directed to Gary Zank at
*******************
6. OPPORTUNITY: Heliophysics POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Opportunity at SwRI, San
Antonio.
The Space Research Department at SwRI, San Antonio is seeking
applications for a postdoctoral researcher to carry out original
research addressing the origin and acceleration of energetic particles
in the interplanetary medium. The candidate will analyze suprathermal
and energetic particles, as well as magnetic field and solar wind plasma
data from Wind, ACE, and STEREO, and the upcoming Parker Solar Probe
mission. The candidate is also expected to support the development and
calibration of suprathermal and energetic particle instruments to be
used in upcoming heliophysics missions, publish results in peer-reviewed
scientific journals, and present results at scientific meetings,
workshops, and conferences. The research will involve interactions with
Institute Staff engaged in a broad range of observational,
computational, and theoretical research in the physics of the solar wind
and suprathermal and energetic particles. The candidate should have a
PhD degree in Space Physics or Plasma Physics, and have graduate-level
experience in the analysis and interpretation of solar wind, magnetic
field, and suprathermal particle datasets. The candidate must have at
least a 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate the ability to program and utilize data
analysis software tools such as IDL, C, or MATLAB.
To apply for this position go to
For more information about SwRI visit