Heliosphere News - Apr 30, 2019

http://heliospherenews.unh.edu/

A newsletter devoted to Heliospheric Science.

Editor: Nathan Schwadron (nschwadron at unh.edu) Co-Editor: Mihir Desai (mdesai at swri.edu) Co-Editor: Eric Zirnstein (ejz at princeton.edu) Co-Editor: Merav Opher (mopher at bu.edu) Co-Editor: Nick Pogorelov (np0002 at uah.edu)

Coordinator: Liz Wilber (Elizabeth.Wilber at unh.edu)

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: http://heliospherenews.unh.edu/.

******************* Announcements *******************

1. MEETING: 14th International Conference on Numerical Modeling of Space Plasma Flows: ASTRONUM-2019, Paris, France, July 1-5, 2019

2. MEETING: SHINE Session - Pickup Ions in the Outer Heliosphere and Beyond, Boulder, CO, August 5-9, 2019

3. MEETING: 5th Edition of the Cosmic Ray Anisotropy Workshop - CR2019, Gran Sasso Science Institute, in L'Aquila, Italy, on October 7-11, 2019.

4. MEETING: EPSC-DPS Special Session: Interstellar Probe: science, mission designs, opportunities and challenges, EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland, 15-20 September 2019

5. ANNOUNCEMENT: International Course (School/Workshop) on Complexity with Applications in Astrophysical Systems, Erice, Italy, July 2- 8, 2019

6. ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ulam Program of Polish Academy of Science.

7. INVITATION: Request for Community Input on Benchmarks for Space Weather

8. INVITATION: to Join the Whole Heliosphere & Planetary Interactions Campaigns

9. POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Position in Space Physics Instrumentation and Data Analysis at Los Alamos National Laboratory

10. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Job Opening at the Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA

11. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position at University of Alabama in Huntsville

12. GRAD OPPORTUNITY: MS and PhD Funded Graduate Opportunities in Space Physics Available at UAH

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1. MEETING: 14th International Conference on Numerical Modeling of Space Plasma Flows in Paris, France, on 1 - 5 July, 2019.

The Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research at The University of Alabama in Huntsville and Maison de la Simulation (CEA/CNRS/UPS/UVSQ), France will organize ASTRONUM-2019, the 14th International Conference on Numerical Modeling of Space Plasma Flows in Paris, France, on 1 - 5 July, 2019.

The conference will cover the following topics: (1) Advanced numerical methods for space and astrophysical flows; (2) Large-scale fluid-based, kinetic, and hybrid simulations; (3) Turbulence and cosmic ray transport; (4) Magnetohydrodynamics (5) Software packages for modeling and analyzing plasma flows / Visualisation

with the application to (1) Physics of the Sun-Heliosphere-Magnetosphere; (2) Interstellar medium and star formation; (3) Cosmology and galaxy formation; (4) Dynamo effect; (5) Stellar Physics.

The purpose of the conference is to bring together leading experts in applied mathematics, space physics, astrophysics, and geophysics to discuss the application of novel numerical algorithms and petascale parallelization strategies to computationally challenging problems.

The conference will be structured around invited, 40-minute keynote and 25-minute regular talks, and a limited number of contributed talks, with the attempt to have no parallel sessions. The conference web site will soon be established to provide you with useful information about the conference venue, registration, and means of transportation, etc. E-mail inquiries about the meeting should be directed to Nikolai.Pogorelov at uah.edu and Edouard.Audit at cea.fr. The meeting website is http://irfu.cea.fr/ASTRONUM2019/.

Program Committee: Tahar Amari (CNRS Ecole Polytechnique, France), Edouard Audit (CEA, Maison de la Simulation, France, co-chair), Amitava Bhattacharjee (Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, USA), Phillip Colella (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA), Anthony Mezzacappa (University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA), Ewald Mueller (Max-Planck-Institute for Astrophysics, Garching, Germany), Nikolai Pogorelov (University of Alabama in Huntsville, USA, chair), Kazunari Shibata (Kyoto University, Japan), Jon Linker (Predictive Science Inc., USA), and Gary P. Zank (University of Alabama in Huntsville, USA).

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2. SHINE MEETING SESSION: Pickup Ions in the Heliosphere and Beyond, Boulder, CO, August 5-9, 2019 (conveners: N. Pogorelov and M. Zhang).

The purpose of this session is to discuss the fundamental properties of the solar wind (SW) and its interaction with the local interstellar medium (LISM) caused by the presence of non-thermal, pickup ions (PUIs). The discussion will follow a broad, integrative approach based a variety of observation data, simulation tools, and theoretical methods. The session will address both in situ measurements of PUIs by ACE, Ulysses, New Horizons, and Voyager, and remote observations of ENA fluxes from IBEX, Cassini/INCA, and SOHO/HSTOF. It will particularly focus on the following

scientific questions:

1. Where are PUIs produced and how their distribution function evolve throughout the heliosphere?

2. How the distribution functions of non-Maxwellian ions, and PUIs in particular, behave at collisionless shocks?

3. What is the effect of PUIs and anomalous cosmic rays on the global structure of the heliosphere?

4. What are the mechanisms to accelerate PUIs in the supersonic solar wind and in the inner heliosheath?

5. What is the correlation between observations and model predictions for the bulk properties of PUIs?

6. What are the physical mechanisms responsible for the IBEX ribbon and distributed ENA fluxes?

How to improve the energy resolution of ENA models.

7. What are the major theoretical challenges in our understanding of the PUI physics from the perspective of the IMAP mission?

Scene-setting presentations will be given by David McComas and Vadim Roytershteyn.

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3. MEETING: 5th Edition of the Cosmic Ray Anisotropy Workshop - CRA 2019

5th edition of the Cosmic Ray Anisotropy Workshop - CRA 2019 that will be hosted at the Gran Sasso Science Institute, in L'Aquila, Italy, on October 7 to 11, 2019.

CRA2019, following the experience of previous editions, will bring together scientists from around the world to discuss the origin, composition, propagation, and modulation of cosmic-rays, with a focus upon the anisotropy on small and large scales, and the effects of interstellar and heliospheric processes on the signal observed at the Earth, including plasma processes.

The program will include invited lectures and contributed talks. As in the past, the workshop is addressed to scientists in the field as well as to PhD and graduate students. We will encourage lively and informal discussions among participants!

To ensure organizational effectiveness we will be allowing maximum 70 registrations. The registration fee of €150 will include the social dinner and coffee breaks during the Workshop.

Should you have any question please do not hesitate to write to us at carmelo.evoli@gssi.it or paolo.desiati@icecube.wisc.edu

Here below the important dates of the Workshop:

               • 1 April 2019: open call for abstract.

               • 30 May 2019: call for abstract close.

               • 1 June 2019: early registration open (registration fee 150€).

               • 7 June 2019: confirmation of abstract acceptance.

               • 2 August 2019: early registration close (after this date the registration fee will be 200 €)

               • 1  September 2019: registration close.

               • 7-11 October 2019: Conference

Please find additional information, including the list of invited speakers and logistics at: 

https://indico.gssi.it/event/45/

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4. MEETING: EPSC-DPS Special Session: Interstellar Probe: science, mission designs, opportunities and challenges, EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland, 15-20 September 2019

EPSC-DPS Special Session: “Interstellar Probe: science, mission designs, opportunities and challenges”

An Interstellar Probe mission has been discussed since  1960 and studied by multiple groups since then. A new NASA-funded trade study is under way to design a mission concept using available or near-term technology. The cross-disciplinary science targets include exploration of the Very Local Interstellar Medium and its interaction with the heliosphere, characterization of the circum-solar dust disk, exploration of previously unexplored Kuiper Belt Objects, and observation of the extragalactic background light beyond the zodiacal cloud. A vantage point far away from the solar system, naturally enables these observations to be put in the context of other exoplanetary systems and astrospheres. At the same time, Chinese scientists are studying with their space agency CNSA a scenario in which two “Heliospheric Boundary Explorers”. Not only will the synergies between these two missions be particularly valuable, but also both of them will offer unique opportunities for broad international collaborations, including European contributions. This session will welcome reports on the unique science discoveries enabled by missions to the Interstellar Medium beyond heliospheric boundaries and will discuss their design concepts, enabling technologies and programmatic challenges.

Abstract Deadline: 8 May

https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC-DPS2019/session/34097

Convener: Michel Blanc | Co-conveners: Pontus Brandt, Pascale Ehrenfreund, Kathleen Mandt, Merav Opher, Olivier Witasse

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5. ANNOUNCEMENT: International Course (School/Workshop) on Complexity with Applications in Astrophysical Systems, Erice, Italy, July 2- 8, 2019

(https://sites.google.com/view/supernext2019/home)

We welcome young and senior researchers involved with space and astrophysical plasma physics to attend the International Course (School & Workshop) on Complexity, “Nonextensive Statistical Mechanics, Superstatistics and beyond: Theory and Applications in astrophysical and other complex systems”, to be held at the Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture in Erice, Italy, 2 - 8 July, 2019.

In order to participate, PhD students and post-docs should send their CV and a recommendation letter to: complexityerice2019@gmail.com. Senior researchers are very welcome to attend and should send their application to the same email address with a motivation letter. (Due: April 1, 2019)

Topics include, but are not limited to:

Generalized Central Limit theorems; Generalized Large Deviation theory; Low-dimensional nonlinear conservative and dissipative dynamical systems near the edge of chaos; Long-range-interacting many-body classical Hamiltonian systems; Complex networks; Area-law-like quantum systems; Applications in astrophysics, space and other plasma physics, geophysics, high energy physics, cosmology, granular matter, cold atoms, econophysics, theoretical and structural chemistry, biophysics, social systems, power grids, image and time series processing, among others.

With our very best wishes,

C. Beck , G. Benedek, G.  Livadiotis, A. Rapisarda , U. Tirnakli, C. Tsallis

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6. ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ulam Program of Polish Academy of Science.

The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange calls for proposals in The Ulam Program opened for international scientists holding PhD degree for postdoctoral research grants in the Polish institutions. The programme will allow for participation in scientific activities in the Polish institutions of science and higher education, conduct research projects and didactics. Details of the Ulam program:

https://nawa.gov.pl/en/scientists/the-ulam-programme

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7. INVITATION: Request for Community Input on Benchmarks for Space Weather

From: Michael Wiltberger (mwiltber at nsf.gov)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is sponsoring an effort that seeks to engage the space weather community to develop the next phase of space weather benchmarks. As a point of reference, the U.S. National Science and Technology Council released Phase 1 benchmarks in June 2018. This new NSF-sponsored effort seeks to improve on the Phase 1 Benchmarks and identify opportunities for research efforts that will improve the understanding of extreme space weather, resulting in better benchmarks and preparedness. This effort, supported by NASA and the IDA Science and Technology Policy Institute, is being chaired by Geoff Reeves (LANL).

To support this effort, we are requesting input from the space weather community. Your input will help improve the fidelity and utility of space weather benchmarks and support development of a more refined Phase 2 Benchmarks study. This input may also be used to inform Federal research and development R&D priorities. For more information, please see the following link: https://idalink.org/SWxBenchmarks

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8. INVITATION: to Join the Whole Heliosphere & Planetary Interactions Campaigns

It's solar minimum. In the tradition of Whole Sun Month (1996) and Whole Heliosphere Interval (2008), it's time for Whole Heliosphere & Planetary Interactions (2019) - WHPI!

Goal

A coordinated observing and modeling effort to characterize the three-dimensional interconnected solar-heliospheric-planetary system. By focusing on specific solar rotations near solar minimum, structures and activity can be unambiguously traced throughout the heliosphere and into planetary space environments.

When

3 target intervals:

Jul 2019 - Solar eclipse

Sep 2019 - Parker Solar Probe at perihelion Dec 2019 - Parker Solar Probe Venus flyby

Who

Everyone is welcome - it's a grassroots effort. Sign up - we will have telecons and workshops to coordinate analyses. See https://whpi.hao.ucar.edu for further details.

Contact: Sarah Gibson (sgibson at ucar.edu)

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9. POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral Position in Space Physics Instrumentation and Data Analysis at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks candidates for a postdoctoral position in heliospheric physics and instrumentation with the Space Science and Applications Group (ISR-1). ISR Division currently leads instruments or instrument subsystems on NASA's IMAP, IBEX, SWIFT, TWINS, ACE, Mars Odyssey, and Van Allen Probes missions, as well as NASAs Mars Science Laboratory and Mars 2020 rovers. The candidate chosen for this position will be expected to carry out original research addressing the structure and evolution of the outer heliosphere through analysis of data from the ongoing IBEX mission. The candidate is also expected to support the development and calibration of energetic neutral atom instrumentation to be used in the upcoming IMAP mission. Additional opportunities in the development of space plasma instrumentation may also be available. Applicants should have laboratory experience applicable to developing hardware for the detection of space plasmas. Additional desirable skills include familiarity with heliospheric science (solar wind, outer heliosphere, magnetospheres, etc.), or a strong interest in learning about such environments. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to interact with Laboratory staff engaged in a broad range of observational, computational, and theoretical research in heliophysics.

This is a two-year position with the possibility of an extension to a third year. Applicants should have a doctoral degree in Space Physics, Physics, Astronomy, or appropriate similar fields obtained within the last five years, or soon to be completed. They should have demonstrated ability to pursue independent research and work as a member of a team, as well as a strong record of publication and presentation.

Interested candidates should send their CV, publications list, and statement of research interests to Dan Reisenfeld (dreisenfeld at lanl.gov), and apply online at jobs.lanl.gov and search for IRC69562.

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10. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Job Opening at the Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA

The Department of Space Research of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas seeks candidates for positions at the research scientist or senior research scientist levels in Heliospheric Physics. The selected candidate is expected to lead and support the development and calibration of energetic neutral atom and plasma instruments to be flown on upcoming heliophysics or planetary missions such as the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe or IMAP. The candidate is also expected to publish results in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and present results at scientific meetings, workshops, and conferences. Research will also involve interactions with Institute Staff engaged in a broad range of experimental, observational, and computational research.

Click on the following link for more information about this position.

15-01317 Research Scientist/Sr. Research Scientist - Heliophysics

https://resapp.swri.org/ResApp/Job_Search_Results.aspx?DETAIL=15-01317

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11. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position at University of Alabama in Huntsville

The Department of Space Science of the University of Alabama in Huntsville is seeking an outstanding scientist and teacher to fill a tenure-track assistant professor position in the field of low-temperature plasma (LTP) science, broadly defined. This is the first of three positions that will be filled in this general area over the next three years, all of which are expected to support and complement a recently awarded National Science Foundation Established Program in Support of Competitive Research (EPSCoR) grant in low-temperature plasma physics. Within the general field of LTP science, areas of particular interest to the Department include solar physics, interplanetary and heliospheric physics, magnetospheric physics, physics of the very local interstellar medium, dusty and/or complex plasma, gas discharge physics, and plasma interactions with soft and/or hard matter. For more information and how to apply, please visit https://www.uah.edu/cspar/jobs.

Reviewing of applicants will begin by January 18. 2019.

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12. GRAD OPPORTUNITY: MS and PhD Funded Graduate Opportunities in Space Physics Available at UAH

The Department of Space Science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville has several funded teaching and research Assistantship positions available for motivated students wanting to pursue a PhD in Space Science, starting in the Fall of 2019. We are still accepting applications. We are a research-focused graduate-only department, covering topics in theory, simulation, data analysis, and instrument design in all aspects of space and solar physics. Students can participate in numerous research programs ranging from the physics of the outer atmosphere of the Sun, solar wind, solar energetic particles, turbulence, space weather, the heliosphere, the interstellar medium, gamma-ray bursts, and cosmic rays, for example. The Department collaborates closely with members of the Marshall Space Flight Center's solar physics, gamma ray physics, gravitational wave, energetic particles, and dusty plasma groups, with whom we share a building. More information can be found at our website https://www.uah.edu/science/departments/space-science.  Inquiries can be made to spa@uah.edu or Prof. Gary P Zank (garyp.zank@gmail.com), and applications should be made through the UAH graduate school https://www.uah.edu/admissions/graduate/apply-for-admission. Be sure to indicate Space Science on your application.

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Best regards,

       Mihir
_______________________________________________________________________
Dr. Mihir I Desai 

Tel: +1 210 522 6754

Director, Department of Space Research 

Cell: +1 210 454 1671

Space Science & Engineering Division 

Fax: +1 210 520 9935

Southwest Research Institute 

Email: mdesai@swri.edu
6220 Culebra Road, 

San Antonio TX 78238-5166, USA  

Lead Adjoint Professor
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Texas, San Antonio
One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, 
Texas 78249-0697, USA