SolarNews – Volume 2016 Number 1

SolarNews
The Electronic Newsletter of the
Solar Physics Division
American Astronomical Society
Volume 2016 Number 1

Aimee Norton, editor
01 January 2016


SOLARNET ACCESS time: Call for proposals 2016

Rolf Schlichenmaier
15 Dec 2015

SOLARNET and ITP: Call for proposals 2016

Observing time at Solar European Facilities: Call for SOLARNET and ITP proposals 2016 (view this call at www.astro-east.org/index.php?id=535 )

SOLARNET is a European Integrated Initiative funded through FP7, which brings together and integrates the major European research infrastructures in the field of high-resolution solar physics ( www.solarnet-east.eu ). This includes the European Solar telescopes SST, THEMIS, GREGOR & VTT in the Canary Islands, as well as European instruments IBIS and ROSA installed at DST/NSO. SOLARNET support includes travel grants for observing campaigns, as well as help to PIs for data reduction.

Within the SOLARNET transnational ACCESS program ( www.solarnet-east.eu/access-programme ) we here invite proposals for 2016 observing time at the above mentioned facilities. In parallel, the International Scientific Committee (CCI) awards observing time in the International Time Program (ITP) for Canary Islands Telescopes (cf. www.iac.es/eno.php?op1=5&lang=en ).

Both SOLARNET and ITP proposals will be handled by the EAST TAC, a common European time allocation committee installed by EAST (European Association for Solar Telescopes). Proposed campaigns may combine both programs. Typically, campaigns will be awarded for 10 observing days at each telescope, while most of the IBIS and ROSA observations will be executed in service mode. SOLARNET campaigns also include travel grants. Certain criteria of eligibility related to the nationalities of the applicants apply to the SOLARNET time.

More info is given at the EAST TAC web page: www.astro-east.org/index.php?id=454

Information on available instrumentation, proposal details, and help on data reduction are available at the telescope web pages (contact persons for each telescope are given in brackets):

SST: dubshen.astro.su.se/wiki/index.php?title=Category:2016 (SOLARNET only, Mats Löfdahl)
VTT: www.kis.uni-freiburg.de/de/observatorien/vtt/ (Rolf Schlichenmaier)
GREGOR: www.kis.uni-freiburg.de/de/observatorien/gregor/ (Rolf Schlichenmaier)
DOT: www.dot.iac.es (ITP only, Felix Bettonvil)
IBIS: www.arcetri.astro.it/science/solare/IBIS (SOLARNET only, Gianna Cauzzi)
ROSA: star.pst.qub.ac.uk/wiki/public/research_areas/solar_physics/rosa (SOLARNET only, Mihalis Mathioudakis)

THEMIS: Is not available in 2016.

Proposals can be made for each individual telescope or for a combination of them. All applications will assumed to be for both programs, subject to the elegibility criteria for the SOLARNET observing time. Proposals and questions should be sent via email to [email protected] and must be received by January 20, 2016.

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Living Reviews in Solar Physics: “Interaction Between Convection and Pulsation”

Frank Schulz
23 Dec 2015

The open-access journal Living Reviews in Solar Physics has published a new review article: “Interaction Between Convection and Pulsation” by Günter Houdek and Marc-Antoine Dupret on 22 December 2015.

Please find the abstracts and further details below.

—————————
PUB.NO. lrsp-2015-8
Günter Houdek and Marc-Antoine Dupret
“Interaction Between Convection and Pulsation”

PUBLISHED: 2015-12-22

FULL ARTICLE: www.livingreviews.org/lrsp-2015-8

ABSTRACT:
This article reviews our current understanding of modelling convection dynamics in stars. Several semi-analytical time-dependent convection models have been proposed for pulsating one-dimensional stellar structures with different formulations for how the convective turbulent velocity field couples with the global stellar oscillations. In this review we put emphasis on two, widely used, time-dependent convection formulations for estimating pulsation properties in one-dimensional stellar models. Applications to pulsating stars are presented with results for oscillation properties, such as the effects of convection dynamics on the oscillation frequencies, or the stability of pulsation modes, in classical pulsators and in stars supporting solar-type oscillations.

UPCOMING ARTICLES AT: solarphysics.livingreviews.org/Articles/upcoming.html

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New HMI Science Nugget #47

Xudong Sun
31 Dec 2015

A new HMI Science Nugget, entitled “Photospheric Driving of Non-potential Solar Coronal Magnetic Field Simulations” by Marion Weinzierl, is now online. hmi.stanford.edu/hminuggets/?p=1367

We welcome submissions on work related to HMI scientific goals. More information can be found at hmi.stanford.edu/hminuggets/

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Printable 2016 Hinode XRT Wall Calendar (PDF)

Patricia Jibben
31 Dec 2015

Print your own 2016 calendar featuring the Hinode X-Ray Telescope (XRT) picture of the week entries. The calendar can be printed at home or at your local printing facility. The clickable images are also useful educational tools linking to descriptions of some of the hottest solar features. The PDF (25 MB) is available for download at: xrt.cfa.harvard.edu/xpow/20151228.html

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Employment Opportunities

Summer Research Opportunities for Undergraduates in Solar and Space Physics at Montana State University

Jiong Qiu
16 Dec 2015

The solar/space research group at Montana State University invites applications for a Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates program for students interested in solar-terrestrial and space physics. Research projects in this program involve analysis of data from solar space missions such as Yohkoh, SoHO, TRACE, RHESSI, Hinode, SDO, and IRIS, numerical modeling in solar magnetohydrodynamics, and space hardware development. The program includes lectures on a variety of topics that are relevant to solar physics, space weather, and space hardware. The program is suitable for most math, physics, and astronomy students at the sophomore or junior level.

The 2016 summer program will run from June 6 – August 5. Successful applicants will receive stipend, room and board, and travel allowance. Application must be complete by February 15th. For more information and on-line application, please visit the website at solar.physics.montana.edu/reu

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Post-doctoral position in numerical modeling and theory of the Sun at the IAC, Spain.

Fernando Moreno-Insertis
21 Dec 2015

The Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC, Tenerife, Spain) invites applications for a postdoctoral contract within the framework of the project “The solar atmosphere: theory, computing tools and support to observations”, whose PI’s are Drs. F. Moreno-Insertis and E. Khomenko. The selected candidate will carry out research concerning the theory and/or numerical modeling of physical processes in the solar atmosphere. The research topic should deal with either the magnetohydrodynamical or the radiation transfer aspects of the problem, or combine both, for instance when doing work based on RMHD codes. The research can be in the field of photospheric, chromospheric, transition region or coronal phenomena. Special attention will be given to candidates who study the relationship between two or more of those atmospheric layers.

We are looking for candidates with an excellent research record in their pre-doctoral or (for experienced researchers) postdoctoral period, and who hold promise to carry out first-class research work in the coming years. No constraints are set on the approach taken: although primarily looking for someone with theoretical / numerical skills, the chosen candidate can also combine theoretical and observational aspects, including the use of diagnostic techniques.

Qualification Requirements: To be eligible for admission, applicants must have obtained a Ph.D. degree in Astrophysics, Physics or Informatics/Programming prior to the application deadline (January 31, 2016).

Starting date and duration: The starting date can be any time after the end of the selection process, preferably within the first semester of 2016. Funds have been secured for a two-year appointment, but extension of the contract beyond December 31, 2017 requires the prior formal approval of the extension of the project beyond that date by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. The appointing institution will be the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias.

Closing date for applications is January 31st, 2016.

For further specifications and requirements, salary scale and relocation allowance, application procedure and further links, please visit

www.iac.es/jobs/research/rmhd2015

Contact: For scientific enquires and informal discussion about this position please contact Drs. F. Moreno-Insertis ([email protected]) or E. Khomenko ([email protected]).

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Post-doctoral position in computational solar physics / code development at the IAC, Spain.

Fernando Moreno-Insertis
21 Dec 2015

The Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC, Tenerife, Spain) invites applications for a postdoctoral contract within the framework of the project “The solar atmosphere: theory, computing tools and support to observations”, whose PI’s are Drs. F. Moreno-Insertis and E. Khomenko. The selected candidate will pursue research in the following fields:

– Development and implementation of efficient numerical algorithms within a numerical code for forward simulations of the interaction between the solar multi-component plasma and radiation.
– Implementation of the algorithms with an adaptive mesh refinement.
– Code parallelization.

Previous research experience in astrophysics will be considered an advantage.

Qualification Requirements: To be eligible for admission, applicants must have obtained a Ph.D. degree in Astrophysics, Physics or Informatics/Programming prior to the application deadline (January 31, 2016).

Starting date and duration: The starting date can be any time after the end of the selection process, preferably within the first semester of 2016. Funds have been secured for a two-year appointment, but extension of the contract beyond December 31, 2017 requires the prior formal approval of the extension of the project beyond that date by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. The appointing institution will be the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias.

Closing date for applications is January 31st, 2016.

For further specifications and requirements, salary scale and relocation allowance, application procedure and further links, please visit www.iac.es/jobs/research/computing2015

Contact: For scientific enquires and informal discussion about this position please contact Drs. E. Khomenko ([email protected]) or F. Moreno-Insertis ([email protected]).

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George Ellery Hale Postdoctoral Fellowship

Molly Hand
28 Dec 2015

ANNOUNCEMENT: George Ellery Hale Postdoctoral Fellowship Position in Solar Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder is seeking applicants for the George Ellery Hale Postdoctoral Fellowship in Solar and Space Physics.  The University of Colorado and surrounding institutions provide a rich environment within which to conduct solar research, and this two-year research fellowship accompanies the relocation of the National Solar Observatory (NSO) headquarters to Boulder. 

Of particular interest are postdoctoral candidates who are interested in theoretical and computational studies of dynamics within solar and stellar interiors, photospheres, and atmospheres (chromospheres and coronae).  Boulder is an internationally recognized center for studying convection, turbulence, radiative magnetohydrodynamics, and the dynamo amplification of magnetic fields in the Sun.  The successful candidate will have access to extensive computational resources and existing modern, highly parallel astrophysical fluid dynamics codes, and could be involved in the creation of next generation codes for studying solar fluid dynamics. Connections between such modeling activities efforts and the observational capabilities of NSO’s Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST, formerly ATST) and/or Integrated Synoptic Program (NISP) will enhance an application, and the successful candidate is encouraged to forge those connections while in Boulder.

The successful candidate will also have the opportunity play a prominent role in the new George Ellery Hale collaborative graduate education program, which aims to offer solar physics course work and summer professional development to students enrolled in graduate programs at the University of Colorado, University of Hawaii, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology via telepresence technology.  The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with the program to develop capability and facilitate learning in this distributed environment. Thus candidates with a strong interest and experience in teaching and learning methodologies, in addition to those more focused on solar physics research goals, are encouraged to apply.  For questions on this program, please contact Steve Cranmer ([email protected]).

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a description of research and teaching interests, and the names and contact information for three references.  These materials should be submitted electronically to: cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=02874&lang=en&sns_id=mailto

For more information please contact Prof. Benjamin Brown, Search Committee Chair, [email protected].  Review of the applications will begin 1 February 2016 and continue until the position is filled.  The University of Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The University of Colorado offers a full benefits package. Information on University benefits programs, including eligibility, is located at www.cu.edu/pbs/

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Joint Tenure-track Faculty Position at the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Solar Observatory

Mark Rast
28 Dec 2015

NOTE: The CU Jobs web address and posting number for this position have changed.  The new address and number are below.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Joint Tenure-track Faculty Position at the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Solar Observatory

The National Solar Observatory (NSO) and University of Colorado, Boulder (CU) are seeking a tenure-track faculty member in Solar Physics. The appointment will be shared equally between the two organizations and aims to strengthen academic and research ties between CU’s Departments of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, Physics, and Aerospace Engineering Sciences and the NSO’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) and Integrated Synoptic Program (NISP) efforts.

Of particular interest are candidates with research interests in the dynamics, magnetism, and connectivity of the solar photosphere, chromosphere and corona with broader links to Stellar Astrophysics or Space Physics. Possible scientific foci include: instrument development for next generation ground based observations which complement space based efforts; spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry, with emphasis on inversion and data interpretation; magnetism on fine scales, with focus on turbulent convection, dynamo, and 
plasma processes; coronal physics or solar wind dynamics, with links to space weather applications; and data mining and novel approaches to data interrogation aimed at exploiting the scientific content of very large data sets.

Appointment is expected at the Assistant Professor level, though higher-level appointment may be considered, jointly as an NSO scientist and tenure track University of Colorado faculty in the department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, Physics, or Aerospace Engineering Sciences, according to the area of interest and expertise.  Applicants should hold a PhD and have research and teaching experience commensurate with the appointment level.

The construction of the DKIST and the relocation of the NSO headquarters to the Boulder campus provide a unique opportunity in solar physics. The DKIST will achieve unprecedented high-resolution observations of solar photospheric, chromospheric, and coronal magnetic fields, and the University of Colorado Boulder and surrounding research institutions will provide a rich teaching and research environment within which to embed NSO activities. Within this context, the candidate will be expected to pursue an innovative program of research and graduate and undergraduate education.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and short descriptions of their research and teaching interests and plans, and request that three letters of reference be submitted on their behalf. These materials should be submitted electronically to: www.cu.edu/cu-careers, posting #03009.

For more information please contact Mark Rast, Search Committee Chair, (303) 735 – 1038, [email protected]. Review of the applications will begin 15 January 2015 and continue until the position is filled.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To achieve this goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history and EPLS record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work. The University of Colorado is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff.

In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation or political philosophy in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Inquiries may be directed to the Boulder Campus Title IX Coordinator by calling 303-492-2127 or to the Office of Civil Rights. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting Human Resources at [email protected] or (303) 492-6475.

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Heliophysics Summer School 2016 – Apply Now!

Susanne Demaree
29 Dec 2015

Heliophysics Summer School 2016

“Explosive Energy Conversions and Particle Acceleration”
July 26 – August 2, 2016 – Boulder, CO

Deadline is 26 February

Applications are invited for the 2016 Heliophysics Summer School, which will be held in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. We are seeking students and undergraduate level teachers and instructors to join us this coming summer for a unique professional experience. Students and teachers will learn about the exciting science of heliophysics as a broad, coherent discipline that reaches in space from the Earth’s troposphere to the depths of the Sun, and in time from the formation of the solar system to the distant future. At the same time, a goal of the Summer School is for the group of instructors to develop materials from Heliophysics that can be applied in their classes.

The Heliophysics Summer School focuses on the physics of the connections between the Sun, the heliosphere, the magnetosphere, the ionospheres, and the upper atmosphere of the planets. The solar system offers a wide variety of conditions under which the interaction of bodies with a plasma environment can be studied, while exoplanets and Sun-like stars offer an even wider range of perspectives with lessons about our local cosmos from distant past to distant future.

The 2016 Summer School will begin with an overview of the various components composing the Heliophysical system, and review some of the universal physical processes at work throughout the system.  It will then focus in on several kinds of explosive events which serve to illustrate these universal processes that occur through the coupled Heliophysical system.  The explosive events include solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and, geomagnetic storms and substorms.  The school will also cover the impacts these and other explosive events might have on infrastructure and people on Earth.

The school will be based on lectures, laboratories, and recitations from world experts, and will draw material from the three textbooks Heliophysics I-IV, published by Cambridge University Press. (Volume IV is currently in press.)

Several undergraduate level teachers along with about 30 students will be selected through a competitive process organized by the UCAR Visiting Scientist Programs. The school lasts for eight days, and each participant receives full travel support for airline tickets, lodging and per diem costs.

Student Application Requirements

  • Currently enrolled as a graduate student in any phase of training, or first or second year postdoctoral fellow.
  • Major in physics with an emphasis on astrophysics, geophysics, plasma physics, and space physics, or experienced in at least one of these areas.
  • Pursuing a career in heliophysics or astrophysics.

Special Opportunity for Teachers

Teacher Application Requirements

  • At least three years of teaching experience.  (Already having a connection with heliophysics is not a requirement.)
  • Currently teaching physics (preferably electricity & magnetism), astronomy/planetary science, or Earth sciences at the upper division undergraduate level.
  • Willingness to provide feedback to the Summer School faculty and organizers on the comprehensibility and comprehensiveness of the overall set of lectures and supporting materials.

For additional information on this program and instructions on how to apply please visit the Heliophysics website at www.Heliophysics.ucar.edu

For further information, call (303) 497-1605 or e-mail [email protected]

The Living With a Star program of the Heliophysics Division in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate sponsors the Summer Schools.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Visiting Scientist Programs collaborates with NASA in administering the schools.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research is an EE/AAE who values and encourages diversity in the workplace.

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Chief of the Solar Physics Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Holly Gilbert
30 Dec 2015

A civil service position is available in the Heliophysics Science Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, for a supervisory astrophysicist to serve as Chief of the Solar Physics Laboratory. Scientists in the Solar Physics Laboratory conduct groundbreaking research and develop innovative instruments, mission concepts, theoretical models, and techniques to access and analyze data. The Laboratory also assists with strategic planning and mission definition, and communicates research results to the international scientific community and public. The Chief develops and maintains the Laboratory’s strategic vision, provides supervisory and administrative oversight of civil service personnel, resources, and tasks, and provides scientific and technical guidance. The Chief also carries out peer-reviewed scientific research and leads in the development of new missions, instruments, and theoretical investigations to achieve NASA goals. Evidence of management experience and leadership in the scientific community is highly desirable.

This appointment will be at the GS-15 level. U.S. citizenship is required. Please direct technical inquiries to [email protected] (301-286-8224) or [email protected] (301-286-2493) and procedural inquiries to [email protected] (301-286-3691). TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST APPLY THROUGH USAJOBS.gov Please visit the opportunity at www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/423469100 to submit your application by January 11, 2016

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Meeting Announcements

COSPAR 2016: solar/stellar flares

Louise Harra
16 Dec 2015

COSPAR-16-E2.4: Multiwavelength Observations and Simulations of Solar and Stellar Flares

The deadline for abstracts is on the 12th February 2016.

We have some great invited speakers lined up; Lui, W (LMSAL, USA) Maehara, H (Kwasan and Hida Observatories, Japan) Janvier, M (IAS, France) Klient, L (LMSAL, USA) Torimumi, S (NAOJ, Japan) Osten, R (Space Telescope Science Institute, USA)

Flaring in stars across the main sequence reveals a large range of energies and behaviour. But only flares on the Sun can be studied in great morphological detail.  The Sun has the advantage of data with wonderful spatial resolution from missions such as the Solar Dynamics Observatory, IRIS or Hinode. These results are slowly transforming the way we view the magnetic processes that unleash energy in the corona. In addition,  there is a clear need to understand flare coronae and chromospheres, and even photospheres, as important sites of strong, multi-wavelength emission, formed in response to the energy flow – by particle beams or
other mechanisms – from the corona, and its dissipation. Thus significant contributions to the proposed session will come from observational analyses and numerical simulations of flare chromospheres, both solar and stellar. Various scenarios of energy transport and heating can be tested by observing flaring coronae and chromospheres of the Sun and stars, using the wide range of space and ground-based instrumentation now available. Comparative stellar studies are hugely beneficial in understanding the behaviour of our Sun during its life cycle – as well as showing us dramatic flarings at very young ages or in binary systems
that reach energies that the Sun will never be able to achieve – named as ‘superflares’. The session will address new observations and diagnostics, and new
simulations (e.g. radiation hydrodynamics) of energy transport, dissipation and radiation from stellar atmosphere with instrumentation such as IRIS, CRISP ALMA, XMM-Newton, SWIFT, Kepler and Chandra. New perspectives with Solar Orbiter, Solar-C and future stellar missions will be also highlighted.

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ECRS 2016 First Circular

Andrea Chiavassa
21 Dec 2015

25th European Cosmic Ray Symposium
Torino, Italy
September, 5 – 9, 2016

First Circular

The 25th European Cosmic Ray Symposium (ECRS-2016) will be held at the Università degli Studi di Torino from September 5 to September 9, 2016. ECRS-2016 is the 25th in a series of European Cosmic Ray Symposia. The main goal of the Symposia is that of spreading throughout the European Physics community the information concerning the status of the research in cosmic rays and related fields, recent results, newly emerging ideas and forthcoming experiments.

The conference location will be the Chemistry and Physics Departments of the Torino University.

Program

The conference program will be organized in morning plenary sessions and afternoon parallel sessions. Plenary sessions will be held in the Aula Magna of the Chemistry Department (Via Pietro Giuria 5), while the parallel ones will occur in the Physics Department (Via Pietro Giuria 1). A poster session is not foreseen, all communications will be scheduled in the parallel sessions.

The symposium program will cover the following topics:
1) Solar and heliospheric cosmic rays (SH)
2) CRs at Earth and Planets (GEO)
3) Dark Matter (DM)
4) Cosmic Rays below the knee (CR I)
5) Cosmic Rays above the knee (CR II)
6) High Energy gamma rays (GR)
7) High Energy muons and neutrinos (MN)
8) Future instrumentation in cosmic ray research (INS)

International Advisory Committee
1) G. Bazilevskaya (RUS)
2) E. Berezhko (RUS)
3) A. Chillingaryan (ARM)
4) E. Fluckiger (SUI)
5) P. Gorodetzky (FRA)
6) B. Heber (GER)
7) K. Kecskemety (HUN)
8) K. Kudela (SVK)
9) M. Panasyuk, IAC Chair (RUS)
10) P. Picozza (ITA)
11) M. Pimenta (POR)
12) V. Ptuskin (RUS)
13) O. Ryazhskaya (RUS)
14) O. Saavedra (ITA)
15) C. Spiering (GER)
16) P. Spillantini (ITA)
17) J. Szabelski (POL)
18) I. Usoskin (FIN)

Local Organizing Committee
1) Bertaina Mario Edoardo
2) Boezio Mirko
3) Bonino Raffaella
4) Castellina Antonella
5) Chiavassa Andrea (Chair)
6) Di Pierro Federico
7) Latronico Luca
8) Maldera Simone
9) Mussa Roberto
10) Trinchero Gian Carlo
11) Vernetto Silvia
12) Vigorito Carlo

Registration Fee
The registration fee, including coffee breaks, lunch buffets (from Monday to Thursday) and the social dinner, amount to:
– 350 euro before 30/6/2015
– 400 euro between 1/7/2016 and 31/8/2016
– 450 euro after 1/9/2016
The fee can be paid either with credit card or by bank transfer. Cash will be accepted at the conference desk. Instructions will be soon available in the conference web page.

Important Dates

Registration opening: March 1st 2016
Abstract submission deadline: April 3rd 2016
Communication of abstract acceptance: May 6th 2016

Contacts and further information: agenda.infn.it/conferenceDisplay.py?confId=1060

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COSPAR session E2.3 Solar Magnetism: Data-Driven Modeling and Requirements on Future Instrumentation

Sarah Gibson
22 Dec 2015

We invite abstract submissions for a session on “Solar Magnetism: Data-Driven Modeling and Requirements on Future Instrumentation” at the upcoming COSPAR meeting (July 30-August 7, 2016). Abstract deadline is 12 February 2016 (www.cospar-assembly.org/).

Session description:
The Sun’s magnetic field lies at the heart of most if not all of the outstanding problems relating to the dynamics, energetics, and morphologies that define its atmosphere. Establishing the three-dimensional structure of the magnetic field throughout this solar atmosphere remains a challenge, and one that requires a combination of advanced modeling techniques and new observations. The goal of the proposed session is to bring together observations,  theory and modeling, and data assimilation/incorporation techniques to diagnose the magnetic field in the solar atmosphere.  In addition, this session will offer a forum for discussion of the future instrumentation and missions for remote-sensing and in-situ measurements of these magnetic fields.

Main Scientific Organizer: Sarah Gibson; Deputy Organizer: Silvano Fineschi
Scientific Organizing Committee: Charles Arge (AFRL, USA), Dipankar Banerjee (IIAP, India), Hui Li (PMO, China), Marco Romoli (UNIFI, Italy), Javier Trujillo Bueno (IAC, Spain)

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Solar and Stellar Dynamos and Magnetic Flux Emergence / 41st COSPAR, Event E2.1

Emre Isik
23 Dec 2015

We are organising a 2-day event in the upcoming 41st COSPAR Scientific Assembly, to be held in Istanbul, between July 30th and August 7th, 2016. The exact dates of the event will be set in March 2016.

Abstract submission: ***February 12th, 2016***
Financial support: ***February 12th, 2016***

Sessions:
– New windows on solar & stellar magnetism
– Current understanding of solar & stellar interiors
– Observational perspectives on stellar magnetic activity and cycles
– Theoretical understanding of solar & stellar magnetic cycles: where does the Sun fit?
– Convective dynamos and solar/stellar flux emergence
– Flux tubes in solar and stellar convection zones
– Observational perspectives on small-scale photospheric fields
– Surface magneto-convection and small-scale dynamo action

Main Scientific Organiser: Emre Isik (Istanbul Kultur Uni., TR)
Deputy Organiser: Jie Jiang (NAOC, CN)

SOC: Mark Cheung (LMSAL, US), Hiroaki Isobe (Kyoto University, JP), Mark Miesch (HAO/NCAR, US), Dibyendu Nandi (CESSI-IISER Kolkata, IN), Ansgar Reiners (Uni. Goettingen, DE), Manfred Schuessler (MPS/MPG, DE)

Solicited speakers:
S. Basu (Yale Uni., US), S. Berdyugina (KIS, DE), A. Birch (MPS/MPG, DE), R. Cameron (MPS/MPG, DE), Yuhong Fan (HAO/NCAR, US), T. Hoeksema (Stanford Uni., US), S. Jeffers (Uni. Goettingen, DE), Z. Kovari (Konkoly Obs., HU), N. Nelson (CSU/Chico, US), M. Rempel (HAO/NCAR, US), A. Strugarek (Uni. Montreal, CA), J. Wang (NAOC, CN), R. Yadav (Harvard Uni./CfA, US), J. Zhao (Stanford Uni., US).

Local Organisation web site (incl. registration info.):cospar2016.tubitak.gov.tr

Abstract submission: www.cospar-assembly.org/user/mypapers.php?log=1

Financial support: www.cospar-assembly.org/show_infopage.php?info=19

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EGU 2016 New Session Space Weather Session ST1.8 Progress in Space Sciences Fostered by the European Commission

Giovanni Lapenta
24 Dec 2015

Dear Colleagues

Please consider the new sessions I’m (co)-organizing at the EGU 2016, egu2016.eu on the topic of space weather research done under EC sponsorship: meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2016/session/20501

A description is included below.

Best regards
Giovanni

EGU DEADLINE:
13 January 2016, 13:00 CET

ST1.8 Progress in Space Sciences Fostered by the European Commission

Convener: Giovanni Lapenta
Co-Conveners: Olga Malandraki , Manolis Georgoulis , Richard Harrison , Natalia Ganushkina

Abstract submission

The last years have seen a golden age in the relationship between the European space-weather research community and the European Commission (EC). On the one side, the space-weather community has advised the EC on what is the current state of the art and on future research needs. On the other side, the EC has funded and in other ways fostered the scientific activities in this field. The future, upcoming calls already foresee a space weather component. This session aims to provide a forum for past and present projects to describe their results, sharing them with other projects and allowing a cross-cut fusion of expertise. We further aim to facilitate the exchange of ideas and results between different ongoing projects. Last but not least, the session aims to provide meaningful input to interested researchers seeking future opportunities for interacting with the EC and to the EC and other European funding agencies, such as the European Space Agency (ESA), to collect feedback by the community.

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EGU 2016 New session on Turbulence and Reconnection NP6.3 – Turbulence and magnetic reconnection: current results and future experiments.

Giovanni Lapenta
24 Dec 2015

Dear Colleagues
Please consider the new sessions I’m (co)-organizing at the EGU 2016, egu2016.eu on the topic of reconnection and turbulence:
meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2016/session/20347
A description is included below.
Best regards
Giovanni

EGU DEADLINE:
13 January 2016, 13:00 CET

NP6.3 – Turbulence and magnetic reconnection: current results and future experiments.

Convener: Giovanni Lapenta
Co-Conveners: Alex Lazarian , A. Retino , Francesco Valentini
Abstract submission Convener Login
Magnetized plasmas are frequently turbulent in astrophysical systems, as well as in space and laboratory. The turbulence is known to change many properties of fluids, in particular their transport properties. Does it change the properties of magnetic reconnection? What is the back reaction of magnetic reconnection on turbulence in magnetized plasmas? These two interrelated questions are the focus of the proposed session. We aim at creating a forum of experts to summarize the recent significant advances in both the field of turbulence and magnetic reconnection and provide the forum for discussing new directions.

In many situations, e.g. in the Solar wind case, the properties of turbulence are affected by the properties of the energy injection scale. Therefore it is essential to search for the signatures of how the properties of turbulence and the measured properties of magnetic reconnection are related.

The novelity of the proposed session is twofold. First of all, reconnection is usually assumed to be slow, unless special conditions are satisfied, e.g. magnetized plasma is collisionless. Is it always true? While a lot of the research in the area of reconnection deals with collisionless processes, many important questions are left unaswered. Is Sweet-Parker reconnection stable for large Lundquist numbers? Do we expect collisional gas, which constitutes most of the Sun’s interior, Sun’s photosphere, interstellar media etc. to exhibit slow reconnection? The latter would mean that the entire crop of simulations of magnetized collisional media are in error. Second, the discussion of magnetic turbulence is usually is disconnected from the fundamental property of magnetic field to reconnect. At the same time, one should realize that the phenomenon of slow reconnection, if it takes place in turbulent systems, must substantially modify the properties of turbulence and may potentially make the simulations with the present diffusive codes not representative of the turbulence in actual astrophysical environments of high conductivity.

Magnetic reconnection is a universal energy dissipation mechanism occurring in magnetized plasmas. Such plasmas are frequently in a turbulent state, raising the fundamental question of how reconnection and turbulence are related to each other. In addition, many key processes, e.g. particle acceleration, may be driven both by magnetic reconnection and magnetic turbulence, but it is difficult to find reliable ways to distinguish the causes and the effects in the context of vortical and helical forcings.

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Session D2.1/E3.1 at COSPAR 2016 in “Solar Transients: From Solar Origin to Earth Impact and the Outer Heliosphere”

Jie Zhang
27 Dec 2015

We are pleased to announce the following session at the 41st COSPAR Scientific Assembly, Istanbul, Turkey, 30 July – 7 August: session D2.1/E3.1 entitled as “Solar Transients: From Solar Origin to Earth Impact and the Outer Heliosphere”. This five-half-day-long session will cover a variety of topics, including (1) solar origin of transients: flares, CMEs, filament eruptions, coronal holes, particle acceleration and active regions that are potentially geo-effective, (2) CMEs, CIRs and shocks evolution in the Interplanetary Space: observations, theory and simulation of CMEs, Sheaths, CIRs from the Sun to the Earth and beyond, and transport and impact of solar and galactic energetic particles. (3) Campaign study of Earth-affecting events: focused study on carefully selected events, such as St. Patrick Day’s event, standard or “textbook”-type events, stealth events etc. (4) Magnetic flux ropes and Bz Challenge: address the magnetic topology of solar transients, in particular, on the important Z-component of magnetic field. (5) Space weather forecast: emphasizing prediction techniques, their accuracy, validation and limitations for the operational purpose

A complete description of the event referred to above and abstract submission instructions are available on the Assembly web page at: www.cospar-assembly.org The deadline of abstract submission is February 12, 2016.

SOC: Jie Zhang (Main Scientific Organizer, USA), Sergio Dasso (Deputy Organizer, Argentina), Ayumi Asai (Japan), Mario M. Bisi (UK), Nat Gopalswamy (USA), Alejandro Lara   (Mexico), Noe Lugaz (USA), Alexis Rouillard (France), Luciano Rodriguez (Belgium), Spiros Patsourakos (Greece), Nandita Srivastava (India), Manuela Temmer (Austria), Yu-Ming Wang (China), Yuri Yermolaev (Russia)

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Session ST34 Solar Magnetic Field, Helicity And Solar Eruptions-AOGS 2016

Haiqing Xu
29 Dec 2015

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite a submission of abstracts to session ST34 ‘Solar Magnetic Field, Helicity and Solar Eruptions’ at the AOGS meeting to be held during 31 Jul to 5 Aug, 2016 in Beijing, China.
In this session, we will focus on the diagnose of solar magnetic fields; the developments and evolution of solar magnetic fields in active regions and the relationship with solar cycle; the spatial topology of solar magnetic fields with solar eruptive phenomena; new progress and future development trend of solar magnetic field observational instruments.

Please consider submission of your abstract using the following link: www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2016/public.asp?page=abstract.htm

Please note this important deadline: 19 Feb. 2016: Deadline for Abstract submission

We are looking forward to seeing you in Beijing in 2016.

Best regards,
Haiqing Xu, Jiangtao Su and Shangbin Yang
National Astronomical Observatories,Chinese Academay of Sciences, China

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COSPAR-16-E2.2 “Formation, Destabilization, and Ejection of Magnetic Structures in Solar and Stellar Coronae”: call for papers – deadline for abstract submission and financial support is February 12, 2016

Yuhong Fan
31 Dec 2015

www.cospar-assembly.org/admin/session_cospar.php?session=597

Session description: “Magnetic structures ejected from the Sun typically involve solar prominences or jets, which can play critical roles in the initiation of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). We will focus on different aspects of the prominences, including their formation and destabilization in the first part of this session. Is mass loading important for CME initiation, or for preconditioning the CMEs? In a second part we will focus on the CMEs, and in particular the role of the ejected cool material as with the prominence.  What is the nature of the energy balance, and the role of flux ropes if they exist? How does the environment of the corona through which the ejected material travels affect the kinematics and deformation of the CMEs? What is the role of magnetic topology?  Due to the wealth of observational data from multiple viewpoints over a wide range of wavelengths and covering various distance ranges, as well as recent progress in simulations, these issues can be adequately addressed. This session focuses on studies covering observations, as well as simulations of how prominences, jets, and CMEs erupt and interact with the environment in solar and stellar coronae.”

MSO: Brigitte Schmieder (Observatoire de Paris, LESIA, France)
DO: Yuhong Fan (HAO/NCAR, USA)

Scientific Organizing Committee:
Hussain Gaitee (ESO, Germany), Vourlidas Angelo (JHAPL, USA), Labrosse Nicolas (University of Glasgow, Scotland), Jun Lin (Observatory of Yunnan, China)

Submit your abstract at www.cospar-assembly.org/user/mypapers.php?log=1

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Editor’s Note

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Aimee Norton
01 May 2015

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