The first joint Solar Probe Plus – Solar Orbiter Workshop will take place in Italy in the outskirts of Florence at the Villa “La Ferdinanda”, Artimino, Italy, from September 2nd to 4th, 2015. The aim of the joint workshop is to gather the Heliophysics community to discuss the exciting new science opportunities that the Solar Orbiter (SO) and Solar Probe Plus (SPP) missions will provide and examine the important synergies between the two missions, leading to a strong collaboration for major advances in our understanding of the origins of the Heliosphere.

The Workshop will address how the joint exploration of the corona and inner heliosphere will lead to advances in our understanding of coronal heating and solar wind acceleration, the magnetic and plasma structure of the heliosphere, and the acceleration of energetic particles at shocks and flares. The workshop will inspire research that will make use of SO and SPP observations within the context of the NASA Heliophysics Observatory System and identify key areas for preparatory research. Synergistic observations from other ground based and space based assets will also be addressed.

The workshop, over 3 days, will cover the following topics:

1. Heating and acceleration of the solar corona and solar wind.

2. Structure and dynamics of the plasma and magnetic fields at the sources of the solar wind.

3. Particle acceleration and transport from the corona into the inner heliosphere.

The workshop will follow a joint SO-SPP working group, held from Monday August 31st through Tuesday September 1st lunchtime, which is also open to members of the community who would like to attend.

There is ample room for posters, that will be up throughout the meeting, and there are numerous rooms for collaborative work and discussions. Maximum poster size will be announced at a later date.

Registration, registration fee etc. will be available here soon, please check back frequently. NOTE however that accomodation will be held only until the end of March so please reserve EARLY.

We hope to see you in Artimino, Florence!

www.solarprobeplus.org/2015/

Hotel reservation deadline 03/30/2015
www.solarprobeplus.org/2015/travel-info/accommodations.html

Scientific Organizing Committee:

Marco Velli, UCLA, USA (Chair)
Ester Antonucci, INAF, Italy
Stuart Bale, UC Berkeley, USA
Mats Carlsson, University of Oslo, Norway
Mihir Desai, SWRI, USA
Nicola Fox, APL, USA
Madhulika Guhathakurta, NASA, USA
Tim Horbury, Imperial College, UK
Justin Kasper, University of Michigan, USA
Säm Krucker, FHNW, Switzerland
Milan Maksimovic, LESIA, France
Daniel Müller, ESA
Chris Owen, MSSL, UK
Angelos Vourlidas, APL, USA
Robert Wimmer-Schwengruber, CAU Kiel, Germany
Joachim Woch, MPS, Germany
Andrei Zhukov, ROB, Belgium

 

Local Organizing Committee:

Marco Velli, UCLA, USA (Chair)
Ester Antonucci, INAF, Italy
Alessandro Bemporad, INAF, Italy
Roberto Bruno, IFSI, INAF, Italy
Raffaella D’Amicis, IFSI, INAF, Italy
Luca Del Zanna, University of Florence, Italy
Mauro Focardi, University of Florence, Italy
Luca Franci, University of Florence, Italy
Simone Landi, University of Florence, Italy
Emmanuel Masongsong, UCLA, USA
Lorenzo Matteini, Imperial College, UK
Fulvia Pucci, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
Franco Rappazzo, Advanced Heliophysics, USA
Marco Romoli, University of Florence, Italy
Daniele Telloni, INAF, Italy
Anna Tenerani, UCLA, USA
Andrea Verdini, University of Florence, Italy… continue to the full article

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SunPy is a free, open-source software package written in Python which aims to serve as an alternative to IDL’s SolarSoft (see www.sunpy.org for more information). Python is being used more and more often in scientific research and SunPy allows the solar physics community to benefit from Python’s extensive scientific environment and powerful visualisation capabilities.

In order to introduce Python and SunPy to a larger section of the community, we are hosting a workshop which will cover the basics of Python and demonstrate how SunPy can be used for current solar research. Attendees need not have any experience with Python but should be confident programming in another language.

The workshop will be held on the 26th and 27th of March at Sheffield University. Attendance is free and lunch will be provided on both days. Attendees should bring their own laptops for working though exercises.

To register for the workshop, email Drew Leonard at ajl7@aber.ac.uk… continue to the full article

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25–28 May 2015, Granada, Spain

from Luis Bellot Rubio

Registration and abstract submission are now open at granada-en.congresoseci.com/polarization2015/workshop

The workshop will be held at Hotel Andalucía Center (www.hotelescenter.es/en/hotel-andalucia-center-granada/). A block reservation has been made at the conference venue. Rooms can be booked at the negotiated rate of 69 euros per night including breakfast and taxes.

The registration fee is 225 euros before 31 March 2015 and 300 euros afterwards. It includes coffee breaks, lunches at the conference venue, the conference dinner, and a night visit to the Alhambra palace.

More information can be found on the workshop website at spg.iaa.es/Workshop

Important dates

• 16 March 2015: Abstract submission deadline
• 31 March 2015: Early registration deadline
• 25-28 May 2015: Workshop

Confirmed invited speakers

S. Bagnulo (Armagh Observatory), T.A. Carroll (AIP), M. Collados (IAC), J.C. del Toro Iniesta (IAA-CSIC), C. Keller (Leiden University), O. Kochukhov (Uppsala University) A. Lagg (MPS), A. López Ariste (IRAP CNRS), K. Muinonen (University of Helsinki), O. Muñoz (IAA-CSIC), D. Orozco Suárez (IAC), G. Petrie (NSO), J. Stepan (Astronomical Institute ASCR), D. Stam (Delft University), T. Tarbell (LMSAL), S. Tomczyk (HAO), H. Uitenbroek (NSO), G. Wade (RMC), R. West (JPL)

Scientific Organizing Committeee

L. Bellot Rubio (Chair, IAA-CSIC), 
J. de la Cruz Rodríguez (Stockholm University) 
M. Faurobert (Université de Nice) 
K. Ichimoto (Kyoto University) 
H. Lin (University of Hawaii) 
B. Lites (HAO) 
V. Martínez Pillet (NSO) 
O. Muñoz (IAA-CSIC)
F. Snik (Leiden University) 
K. Strassmeier (AIP) 
R. Schlichenmaier (KIS) 
A. Title (LMSAL) 
J. Trujillo Bueno (IAC) 
F. Zuccarello (Università di Catania, INAF)

Local Organizing Committee:

S. Esteban Pozuelo, M. Gosic, I. Requerey, J.C. del Toro Iniesta, L. Bellot Rubio (IAA-CSIC)… continue to the full article

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June 9-12, 2015, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Boulder, Colorado, USA

The last five years have seen substantial progress in our understanding of the solar dynamo, fueled by continuing advances in observations and modeling. With the launch of NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in 2010 came an unprecedented window on the evolving magnetic topology of the Sun, highlighting its intricate 3D structure and global connectivity. The Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI) instrument on SDO in particular has provided potentially transformative yet enigmatic insights into the internal dynamics of the solar convection zone that underlie the dynamo. Attempts to detect subsurface convective motions from helioseismic inversions have yielded only upper limits on the large-scale convective amplitude, challenging our understanding of global solar convection. Yet, potential signatures of giant cells have been detected in photospheric Dopplergrams. Estimates of the meridional flow from HMI and complementary instruments (SOHO/MDI and GONG) have been equally tantalizing and enigmatic. Several disparate techniques, including local and global helioseismic inversions and correlation tracking of surface features, have yielded evidence of a multi-cellular meridional flow but they differ on the detailed flow structure and amplitude. This multi-cellular meridional flow has potentially profound implications for flux-transport dynamo models that previously assumed a very different structure with a single circulation cell per hemisphere.

From a modeling perspective, the last five years have seen dramatic advances in global convective dynamo simulations. These now exhibit magnetic self-organization of chaotic turbulent fields into cyclic mean fields that bear some similarity with solar cycle observations. These convective dynamos operate very differently than Babcock-Leighton dynamo models which require flux emergence in order to operate and which also make good contact with solar observations. Which of these paradigms applies to the Sun? Answers may only come by bridging the gaps between the two by understanding how convective dynamos generate emerging magnetic flux structures. Progress on this front has also been made in recent years with the spontaneous generation of rising flux structures in convective dynamo simulations and with the advent of 3D Babcock-Leighton/Flux-Transport dynamo models. Increasingly sophisticated simulations of solar surface convection suggest that flux systems can coalesce into sunspot pairs after emergence. Furthermore, the efficiency of small-scale dynamo action in these surface convection simulations suggests that turbulent fields may permeate the convection zone and dominate the magnetic energy. Meanwhile, growing research on data assimilation into solar dynamo models promises to provide a powerful new means to calibrate models, to identify model biases, to distinguish between competing models, and to potentially forecast future solar activity.

The time is ripe for a careful assessment of these new observational and modeling results and their implications for solar dynamo research. This workshop will bring together observers, modelers, and theorists to determine which recent developments are most robust, to identify the most pressing and tractable challenges, and to suggest a path forward for further research. The format will include invited talks, contributed talks, and open discussion and participation will be open to the community.

Agenda:
Session 1: Solar Meridional Circulation and Differential Rotation: Observations
Session 2: Convection and Magnetism: Observations
Session 3: Modeling of Convection and Mean Flows
Session 4: Advances in Dynamo Modeling: Convective Dynamos
Session 5: Advances in Dynamo Modeling: Flux-Transport Dynamos and Heliospheric Coupling
Session 6: Data Assimilation in Dynamo Models
Session 7: The Solar-Stellar Connection
Session 8: Perspectives and Outlook

Confirmed Speakers:
N. Arge, K. Augustson, A. Brandenburg, M. Browning, W. Chaplin, R. Chen, J.-F. Cossette, Y. Fan, N. Featherstone, A. Fournier, L. Gizon, G. Guerrero, B. Greer, S. Hanasoge, D. Hathaway, H. Hotta, J. Jackiwiecz, M. Jardine, L. Jouve, P. Kapyla, B. Karak, I. Kitiashvili, Y. Masada, A. Munoz-Jaramillo, A. Norton, P. Rajaguru, T. Reinhold, M. Rempel, A. Schad, A. Strugarek, O. Talagrand, M. Woodard

IMPORTANT DATES:
Abstract Deadline: April 10, 2015
Early Registration Deadline: April 24, 2015
Early Registration Fee: $200

Scientific Organizing Committee:
Mark Miesch (Chair, USA), Junwei Zhao (Co-Chair, USA), Allan Sacha Brun (France), Paul Charbonneau (Canada), Arnab Choudhuri (India), Mausumi Dikpati (USA), Rudi Komm (USA), Alexander Kosovichev (USA), Nagi Mansour (USA), Markus Roth (Germany)

For further information contact Mark Miesch (miesch@ucar.edu) or Junwei Zhao (junwei@sun.stanford.edu) or visit the web page at:

www2.hao.ucar.edu/Workshop/Solar-Dynamo-Frontiers… continue to the full article

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The International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly will take place in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA – August 3-14, 2015. For more information, registration, and abstract submission, see: http://astronomy2015.org .
All selected symposia and focus meetings at the IAU GA 2015 are:
http://www.iau.org/news/announcements/detail/ann14013/

List of relevant Division E (Sun and Heliosphere) supported symposia and focus meetings:

• IAUS 320 – Solar and Stellar Flares and Their Effects on Planets (August 11-14)
• FM 11 – Global Coordination of Ground and Space Astrophysics and Heliophysics (August 5-6)
• FM 12 – Bridging Laboratory Astrophysics and Astronomy (August 3-5)
• FM 13 – Brightness Variations of the Sun and Sun-like Stars (August 5-6)

In addition, there will be a two-day scientific meeting of Division E (on 7 and 10 August) covering the entire breadth of science of the Division from the solar interior to the frontiers of the heliosphere as well as ground-based and space-borne instrumentation. Invited reviews will cover highlights of the past triennium and developments expected in the next few years.

Abstract submission deadline is March 18, 2015, 11:59pm UTC.
Applications for IAU Grants are due by April 1, 2015.

Lidia van Driel-Gesztelyi
President, IAU Division E… continue to the full article

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Dear Colleagues.

We would like to invite you to submit a contributed abstract for our exciting upcoming AOGS 2015 session in Singapore, 02 to 07 August 2015 – ST26: “Solar Irradiance and Climate Variation”.

The full session description is given below and the Conference WebPages can be found here: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2015/.

The full abstract-submission details are given here: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2015/public.asp?page=abstract.htm ; but please note that the AOGS Conference Fee only covers two abstracts – any more would require additional fees. The abstract-submission deadline is 18 February 2015.

Please submit early so as not to have any last-minute submission problems…

Apologies if you receive multiple instances of this E-Mail.

Many thanks and best wishes,

Mario.

Dr. Mario M. Bisi (RAL Space)
ST-H Secretary and Candidate for ST President (2017-2018)

ST26: “Solar Irradiance and Climate Variation”
The Sun varies in brightness over varying time scales. There is evidence that some climate change can be attributed to this solar variability. Variations in solar radiation output beyond that of the solar cycle are typically not well known. The main drivers of solar variability are thought to be magnetic features at the solar surface or some form of sub-surface mechanism driving the magnetic features. Earth’s climate response can, typically be regional in nature, but global effects may also be evident due to the variations in total solar irradiance from the Sun, and perhaps too, on spectral irradiance. This sessions calls for abstracts related to all aspects of solar irradiance as well as studies on climate change (local and/or global) that can be attributed to, at least in part, the solar variability.

http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2015/public.asp?page=abstract.htm… continue to the full article

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Dear Colleagues.

We would like to invite you to submit a contributed abstract for our exciting upcoming AOGS 2015 session in Singapore, 02 to 07 August 2015 – ST07: “Space Weather Forecasting: the Science and Operations”.

The full session description is given below and the Conference WebPages can be found here: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2015/.

The full abstract-submission details are given here: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2015/public.asp?page=abstract.htm ; but please note that the AOGS Conference Fee only covers two abstracts – any more would require additional fees. The abstract-submission deadline is 18 February 2015.

Please submit early so as not to have any last-minute submission problems…

Apologies if you receive multiple instances of this E-Mail.

Many thanks and best wishes,

Mario (on behalf of the ST07 Convenors: Mario Bisi, Catherine Burnett, Terry Onsager, and Dave Webb).

Dr. Mario M. Bisi (RAL Space)
ST-H Secretary and Candidate for ST President (2017-2018)

ST07: “Space Weather Forecasting: the Science and Operations”

Various industries and aspects of human society have become highly reliant on modern technologies and regular, uninterrupted energy supplies, many of which are at risk from extreme space weather. Such industries and our technologies can also be impacted to a lesser degree by the ‘everyday’ space weather that often occurs at the Earth during moderate-to-intense geomagnetic storms. Such industries include the power grids, airlines, telecommunications, GNSS, etc…

The intent of this session is to try to ascertain the current global space-weather forecasting capability and to look at where improvements/additional services are needed to better forecast and predict potential space weather from its onset at the Sun to its potential effects on and around the Earth (and indeed elsewhere in the solar system).

This session solicits contributions based around the ongoing development of space-weather forecasting services, the provision of observation data to support them, and the pull through of scientific models into operational use. In addition, contributions that highlight the data/model gaps and that identify the steps needed to further improve or keep existing space-weather forecasting services viable, are also highly welcomed.

http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2015/public.asp?page=abstract.htm… continue to the full article

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Dear Colleagues.

We would like to invite you to submit a contributed abstract for our exciting upcoming AOGS 2015 session in Singapore, 02 to 07 August 2015 – ST06: “Sun and Heliosphere General Session Including Solar Atomic Physics and Helioseismology”.

The full session description is given below and the Conference WebPages can be found here: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2015/.

The full abstract-submission details are given here: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2015/public.asp?page=abstract.htm ; but please note that the AOGS Conference Fee only covers two abstracts – any more would require additional fees. The abstract-submission deadline is 18 February 2015.

Please submit early so as not to have any last-minute submission problems…

Apologies if you receive multiple instances of this E-Mail.

Many thanks and best wishes,

Mario.

Dr. Mario M. Bisi (RAL Space)
ST-H Secretary and Candidate for ST President (2017-2018)

ST06 – “Sun and Heliosphere General Session Including Solar Atomic Physics and Helioseismology”

This is the general session of talks within the ST Section covering topics on the Sun and/or Heliosphere that are not suited to any of the other sessions available. In addition, talks based on or around solar atomic physics or Helioseismology are welcomed into this session.… continue to the full article

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MHD Waves and Instabilities in the Solar Atmosphere
and
Celebrating the scientific career of Michael Ruderman
25-29 May 2015
Budapest, Hungary.

The BUKS 2015 meeting on “MHD Waves and Instabilities in the Solar Atmosphere” jointly with the meeting “Celebrating the scientific career of Michael Ruderman” will be held from 25-29 May 2015 at Eotvos University, Budapest, Hungary.

The BUKS meeting series is traditionally devoted to discuss the latest trends and results in the research of MHD waves, oscillations and instabilities applicable to solar physics. These topics are also the central research area of Micheal Ruderman’s scientific career, who has made a major contribution to the field. Since Michael Ruderman has reached his 65th birthday, to celebrate his contribution and his achievements, there is a honorary meeting attached to BUKS 2015.

The programme will include plenary talks, contributed talks, and posters. Contributions are invited in all areas of solar and space plasma MHD wave and instability research.

Details, registration and information on abstract submission for contributions can be found at

http://swat.group.shef.ac.uk/Conferences/BUKS_2015/

Important dates:
23 Apr 2015 Hotel booking deadline to secure accommodation at a discounted rate
04 May 2015 Early Registration deadline
04 May 2015 Abstract submission deadline

Robertus Erdelyi
On behalf of SOC… continue to the full article

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