SolarNews The Electronic Newsletter of the Solar Physics Division American Astronomical Society Volume 2003 Number 1 Stephen R. Walton, editor 6 January 2003 Contents * Chair's Chatter: Hale to Howard, and PLEASE DO Vote * New NASA Research Opportunity: Solar Wind * WCS-I & -II approved by IAU-FWG * New FITS Support Office Web Site * Planning Session for the International Heliophysical and Polar Year * Employment Opportunities o Postdoctoral Position in Solar Physics at NASA/GSFC in Greenbelt, MD * Meeting Announcements o IAU Helicity Discussion o Joint Discussion on "The Sun and the Heliosphere as an Integrated System" * Editor's Notes ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chair's Chatter: Hale to Howard, and PLEASE DO Vote >From John Leibacher >31 Dec 2002 It is a great pleasure to start off the new year by announcing that the SPD Prize Committee--comprised of Terry Forbes, Leon Golub, Jack Harvey, Shadia Habbal [chair], and Barry LaBonte--has nominated Bob Howard to receive the 2003 Hale Prize, for his pioneering discoveries of fundamental properties of solar magnetic and velocity fields; initiating modern instrumentation and archiving methods for long-term solar observations; and selfless mentoring, collaboration, and leadership of solar physics research programs and institutions. Bob's Hale Prize lecture will be given at the SPD meeting in Laurel in June after a warmup at the AAS in Nashville. Be there! If you haven't already voted in the AAS Election, PLEASE open up the AAS Newsletter, read the candidates' statements--which are thoughtful presentations of what our professional society is all about--and VOTE BEFORE YOU LOSE THE BALLOT!! Ballots are due at the AAS office by 31 January 2003. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New NASA Research Opportunity: Solar Wind >From echristi >20 Dec 2002 The new research announcement entitled 'RESEARCH ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE SOLAR WIND AT 1 AU' was just posted: http://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_s/nra/current/NRA-02-OSS-01/appendA3_9.html This new Program Element solicits proposals to: (a) improve our understanding of the detailed structure of the solar wind in the vicinity of 1 AU, particularly those structures that effect the Earth's magnetosphere; and (b) to enhance the data environment of heliospheric fields and particles data that will be used in the research performed in pursuit of objective (a). Notice of Intent to propose due date is January 15, 2003, and proposals are due March 5, 2003. Further information about this new program element is available from: Dr. Eric Christian Program Scientist, Sun-Earth Connection Division, Code SS, Office of Space Science, NASA Headquarters Washington, DC 20546-0001 (202) 358-1763; FAX: (202) 358-3987 eric.christian@hq.nasa.gov ------------------------------------------------------------------------ WCS-I & -II approved by IAU-FWG >From Don Wells >18 Dec 2002 Dear friends of FITS, It is with great pleasure that I announce that the IAU FITS Working Group [IAU-FWG] has approved the following resolution by a vote of 14-0: IAU-FWG resolution adopting the WCS papers The IAU FITS Working Group [IAU-FWG] adopts the World Coordinate System [WCS] papers "Representations of world coordinates in FITS" (A&A 395, 1059-1073 [2002]) and "Representations of celestial coordinates in FITS" (A&A 395, 1075-1120 [2002]) as additions to the current FITS standard as specified by "Definition of the Flexible Image Transport System [FITS]" (A&A 376, 359-380 [2001]), which was adopted by IAU-FWG on 2000-10-12. The IAU-FWG takes this action with the understanding that future FITS agreements may extend the conventional namespace of CTYPEi as described in the last paragraph of section 2.1.1 ("Basic formalism", page 1061) in ways that require interpretation of more than 8 characters. IAU-FWG FITS Standard resolutions are effective *immediately*, so the basic FITS WCS Agreement (WCS-I & -II) is now in effect. This agreement is an historic achievement for the worldwide FITS community. I expect that the two A&A papers which the IAU-FWG has adopted will come to be regarded as landmark papers of the astronomical profession. The authors of these two papers, Mark Calabretta and Eric Greisen, have done outstanding technical work, worthy of high praise. A considerable number of members of the worldwide FITS community (including at least 7 of the 14 YES votes in the IAU-FWG) have participated in discussions and revision actions during the many years of development which led to the publication of these papers, and all of these people should feel especially pleased today! Finally, I note that this agreement is a critical component of the firm foundation which the FITS Standard provides for the Virtual Observatory projects. Please circulate this announcement widely. Best regards, Don Wells [Chair, IAU-FWG] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New FITS Support Office Web Site >From William Pence >03 Jan 2003 The FITS Support Office Web Site at http://fits.gsfc.nasa.gov/ has undergone a major restructuring to make it more current and comprehensive. Please take a few minutes to review the new web pages to check that all the information is a) accurate and b) complete. Send any corrections, additions, or other suggestions about the site to the FITS Support Office email address listed at the bottom of each web page. Note that all the old FITS Support Office web pages are still available and can be accessed from the link on the new home page. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Planning Session for the International Heliophysical and Polar Year >From "Joseph M. Davila" >21 Dec 2002 Several groups are beginning to plan activities in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year (IGY), which took place in 1957. As you know, the IGY was a great success in bringing together the world scientific community to address critical global problems. We propose to extend the IGY concept to consider the Earth embedded with the heliosphere as a system during an International Heliophysical Year beginning in 2007, the 50th anniversary of the IGY. Today with abundant electronic communications, it should be much easier to bring the world scientific community to address issues of universal significance, so the implementation of the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) will be different from the IGY. It is a logical step to expand our focus to include the heliosphere in which Earth and Sun have a central place. The ultimate objective is to set up distributed collaborations that utilize ground and space based assets to further the science achievements in all subdisciplines: solar physics, polar physics, geophysics, space physics, and heliosheric physics with a resounding emphasis on cross-disciplinary science. An initial planning session was held at the World Space Congress meeting in Houston last October. To take the next step, we have arranged a Union Session (US5) April 8, 2003 during the Joint EGS/AGU meeting in Nice, France. The session will consist of invited talks, as well as a poster session for contributed papers. We urge you to submit a poster contribution for this session, and to encourage others to do the same. The abstract deadline is very near (Jan 15) so please do not delay. We want to assure a strong Solar component in all IHY activities. This can only be accomplished with our participation in IHY planning activities. Additional information is available on the IHY website at http://ihy.gsfc.nasa.gov . A related effort is underway in the Polar research community, and their website is http://ipy.gsfc.nasa.gov . Please e-mail comments, criticisms, or suggestions regarding the IHY to Joseph.M.davila@nasa.gov or gopals@fugee.gsfc.nasa.gov . We sincerely hope that you would actively support IHY and the Union session at the EGS/AGU meeting. Please act now, the deadline for abstract submissions is Jan 15, 2003. Best wishes for the New Year! Joseph Davila Nat Gopalswamy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Employment Opportunities Postdoctoral Position in Solar Physics at NASA/GSFC in Greenbelt, MD >From Dominic Zarro >31 Dec 2002 L-3Communications/EER Systems, Inc. is seeking applications for a postdoctoral research position in Solar Physics at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD commencing in early 2003. The position involves supporting operations, planning, and scientific analysis of observations obtained with the SOHO Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT). Research and analysis of solar and space weather datasets available at the Solar Data Analysis Center (SDAC) is encouraged. A Ph.D in Astronomy, Physics, or related fields is required. Practical experience with Interactive Data Language (IDL) is highly desirable. Recent graduates or applicants with 1-2 years postdoctoral experience will be considered. US citizenship or permanent residence is required. Send resume and brief description of research interests to: dominic.zarro@eer.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Meeting Announcements IAU Helicity Discussion >From David Rust >18 Dec 2002 First Announcement INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION JOINT DISCUSSION ON MAGNETIC FIELDS AND HELICITY IN THE SUN AND HELIOSPHERE RATIONALE In the past decade, the Yohkoh, SoHO, and TRACE space missions have provided millions of pictures of flare activity, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), filament eruptions, and other dramatic solar events. What is the physics behind the pictures? We are sure that the main agent responsible is the solar magnetic field. Emergence of magnetic flux leads to instabilities in the atmosphere, magnetic reconnection, and eruptions. But recently it was demonstrated that the magnetic field was not the only important index of potential activity. The magnetic helicity of the system appears to be a crucial parameter. IAU Joint Discussion 03 will focus on how magnetic helicity is spawned and shed by the sun. As magnetic helicity from the internal dynamo or elsewhere accumulates at the solar surface, twisted flux ropes rise into the corona, apparently carrying helicity with them. Sometimes a CME follows. The CMEs ejected during the solar cycle may relieve the sun of its dynamo-generated flux and helicity. What are the details of this picture? Is it correct in general outline? These points will be discussed from an observational point of view as well as a theoretical one. PRELIMINARY PROGRAM (with invited speakers) 1. 1. Magnetic helicity generation inside the sun P. GILMAN 2. 2. Solar dynamos under the constraint of magnetic helicity conservation A. BRANDENBURG 3. 3. Limits of magnetic helicity conservation in solar and heliospheric plasmas M. BERGER 4. 4. Sources and sinks for helicity in the corona K. KUSANO 5. 5. Techniques for inferring active region magnetic helicity content J. CHAE 6. 6. Magnetic helicity generation and signature in the solar atmosphere A. PEVTSOV 7. 7. Magnetic helicity in filaments, coronal mass ejections and magnetic clouds D. RUST 8. 8. Spectrum of magnetic helicity in the solar wind W. MATTHAEUS (not yet confirmed) 9. 9. Role of magnetic helicity in solar flares TBD The Joint Discussion will take place during the IAU General Assembly in Sydney, Australia, July 13-26, 2003. It is organized by IAU Division II - Participating Commissions: 10, 12 & 49. Scientific Organizing Committee: M. Berger (UK), D. Canfield (USA), J. Chae (Korea), G. Field (USA), C. Mandrini (Argentina), D. Melrose (Australia), D. Rust (USA, Co-Chair), B. Schmieder (France, Co-Chair), K. Shibata (Japan) & V. Yurchyshyn (Ukraine). Exact dates of IAU sessions of most interest to solar physicists: Magnetic Fields and Helicity: July 16 Sun and Heliosphere: July 17 Solar and Solar-Like Oscillations: July 18-19 Symposium 219 on "Stars as Suns: Activity, Formation and Planets": July 21-25 The abstract deadline is March 1, 2003. April 30 is the deadline for early registration. For more information, see the IAU web pages at http://www.astronomy2003.com/. The IAU has some, limited funds for travel grants, which may possibly be supplemented by US funds for graduate students, post docs, or young scientists based in the US. The deadline for preliminary abstracts and travel grant applications is February 15, 2003. Application forms can be downloaded from the IAU website (Go to Scientific Program/Travel Grants.) US-based scientists may send applications to the Co-Chairperson of the Scientific Organizing Committee: Dr. David Rust ( dave.rust@jhuapl.edu , FAX 240-228-0386). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Joint Discussion on "The Sun and the Heliosphere as an Integrated System" >From attach >20 Dec 2002 This JD will be held in Sydney, on July 17, 2003, as part of the IAU GA on 13-26 July. The JD encourages the development of an integrated view of the Sun and the Heliosphere as a global system. The main topics are: (1) 3D structure and the Sun - inner heliosphere; (2) 3D structure and the outer heliosphere-interstellar medium; (3) Temporal and evolutionary changes; (4) Composition; (5) Energetic particles and cosmic rays; (6) New missions. Further details can be found in the pdf document at: http://science.nasa.gov/ssl/pad/solar/suess/JD-descrip.pdf Participating IAU commissions include Comm. 10 (Solar Activity), Comm. 49 (Interplanetary Plasma and Heliosphere), and Comm. 44 (Space and High Energy Astrophysics). Supporting Divisions are Div. XI (Space and High Energy Astrophysics) and Div. VI (Interstellar Matter). The sponsoring division is Div. II (Sun and Heliosphere). The JD will consist of invited reviews and posters. Confirmed invited speakers, as of today, include: Bavassano, Cairns, Guhathakurta, Izmodenov, Kojima, Lie-Svensen, Linsky, Marsch, Raymond, Sanderson, Solanki, Wimmer-Schweingruber and Zhang. We hereby solicit the submission of abstracts for poster presentations at the JD. The abstract submission form may be found at http://www.astronomy2003.com . The abstract deadline is 1 March (but, see below). Posters submitted after this date cannot be included in the abstract booklet to be distributed at the GA. Additional information on the JD and the IAU General Assembly itself will be found at the web pages (at present under construction), which can be reached at http://www.astronomy2003.com The abstract title may contain up to 60 characters. The abstract body may contain up to 200 words (spaces are not counted). The titles and text must be in plain ASCII characters. Abstract may be submitted by going to the above web site and following the links to abstract submission. Poster Display: The space allocation for each poster will a maximum be 1m by 1.2m to accommodate an A0 poster. Important Dates: Abstract submission deadline 1 March 2003 This is moved up to 15 February if there is a travel grant application Last date for travel grant application 15 February 2003 Abstract & Poster Acceptance notification 21 April 2003 Early registration deadline 30 April 2003 Abstracts of unregistered participants deleted 15 May 2003 Members of this JD SOC are: B. Fleck (The Netherlands), R. Forsyth (U.K.), H. Cane (Australia), R. Lallement (France), A. V. Usmanov (Russia), J. X. Wang (China), H. Washimi(Japan), and T. Zurbuchen (USA). The LOC liaison person is I. Cairns (Australia), cairns@physics.usyd.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Editor's Notes Updated January 6, 2003. SolarNews is normally distributed on the first and fifteenth of each month. The SPD Web site can be found at http://spd.aas.org . The HTML version of SolarNews is at http://www.gong.noao.edu/SolarNews . It contains in-line hyperlinks to all the Web sites and e-mail addresses mentioned in this issue. Plain text back issues can be retrieved via anonymous FTP to spd.aas.org. SolarNews submissions can be in either plain text or LATEX markup; in particular, proprietary binary formats will be returned with a request for a plain text copy. I encourage LATEX if your announcement contains lists, tables, or hyperlinks. Specific instructions and a LATEX template for submissions can be found on the Web at http://www.gong.noao.edu/SolarNews/SolarNews_submissions.html . Submissions should be e-mailed to editor@spd.aas.org . Please try to keep meeting and workshop announcements to no more than one page (50 to 60 lines of typed text with 72 characters per line), with a Web address for further information. Should you not use LATEX, a descriptive "Subject:" in the e-mail line will help in my markup procedure; that is, "Postdoctoral Position, Lumbago University" is to be preferred to simply "Job Announcement." SolarMail address changes should be made via the Web site at http://spd.aas.org/SolarMail . You can make the change yourself provided your old e-mail address is still active. Enter your SolarMail alias and password at that location. If you do not have a password, a new one can be e-mailed automatically to your old address; then follow the instructions at the Web site. Otherwise, e-mail your new address to both editor and postman@spd.aas.org . Indicate if you wish your new address published in SolarNews. Keep those cards and letters coming.