UK Solar Physics » uksp_sec

UKSP at NAM2011 – Call for parallel sessions. DEADLINE 15th SEPTEMBER 2010

uksp_sec — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:18:41 +0000

http://www.ras.org.uk/events-and-meetings/1858-nam-2011-announcement

Call for UK Solar Physics Parallel Session Proposals

UK Solar Physics meeting jointly with RAS NAM and MIST
Llandudno, 17-21 April 2011

On behalf of the UK Solar Physics Organising Committee we would like to invite from the Solar Physics community nominations for parallel session themes for next year’s meeting. The SOC also particularly welcomes proposals for themes that are regarded as timely or relating to current or upcoming missions. Proposals are welcomed for any topic or research area considered relevant to Solar and Heliospheric Physics.

Particularly welcomed are joint UKSP with NAM or MIST or both sessions, which likely to have broad cross-community appeal. The NAM/UKSP/MIST 2011 programme includes provisions for up to 15 hours of UKSP sessions, plus joint sessions with MIST.

At this stage the following information is requested by email to lyndsay(at)astro.gla.ac.uk and v.nakariakov(at)warwick.ac.uk by Sept 15, 2010 :

1. Theme and provisional title of parallel session.
2. Brief rationale for the session (1 paragraph)
3. A nominated session organiser(s)
4. Expected number of a) participants and b) speakers
5. Names of potential invited speakers

It is expected that the final programme of parallel sessions will be drawn up before the end of 2010.

Many thanks on behalf of the SOC,
Lyndsay Fletcher & Valery Nakariakov

Fixed term Research Associate in Helioseismology at the University of Sheffield

uksp_sec — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:34:05 +0000

From: Rekha Jain – R.Jain@sheffield.ac.uk

Fixed term Research Associate in Helioseismology at the University of Sheffield

Job advert: http://www.shef.ac.uk/jobs/

Job reference number: UOS001635

Royal Society Talk by Dr Alan Title

uksp_sec — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:30:14 +0000

From: Richard Harrison – richard.harrison@stfc.ac.uk

Royal Society Talk by Dr Alan Title

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) – Ground-Breaking High
Resolution Imaging of our Star

Dr Alan Title
Principal Investigator of the AIA instrument aboard SDO
Professor of Physics, Stanford University and
Senior Fellow, LM Advanced Technology Center

19:30, Tuesday 14th of September

Kohn Centre, The Royal Society, London

Dr. Title is a Professor of Physics at Stanford University and a Senior Fellow at the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center. His research interests are the nature of the Sun’s magnetic field, its origins, and its effects on the Heliosphere. He has played a leading role in the development of optical instruments for use on the ground and in space, and has been a major player in space missions such as TRACE, SOHO and Hinode. Currently he is the Principal Investigator for the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). One of his main interests is demonstrating the science and beauty of the Sun. Dr. Title is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the International Academy of Astronautics.

In this talk, Dr Title will show some of the ground-breaking, new high resolution imaging of the Sun provided by the SDO mission which was launched in February this year. The new chapter in high resolution imaging of our star has coincided with an upturn in solar activity, providing unprecedented views of the nature of our Sun’s atmosphere and its impacts on the Earth.

The talk will be given at 19:30 on Tuesday the 14th of September, in the Kohn Centre at The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG.

This event is free. Tickets in advance only – on a first come, first served basis. If you wish to attend, please contact: Jenny Dallimore at Jenny.Dallimore@stfc.ac.uk or 01235445618.

New RHESSI Science Nugget

uksp_sec — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:29:02 +0000

From: Hugh Hudson – hhudson@ssl.berkeley.edu

New RHESSI Science Nugget

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/Fast_electrons_relaxing

“Fast electrons relaxing” – how a nonthermal particle distribution can return to Maxwellian correctness.

New EIS science nugget

uksp_sec — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:28:36 +0000

From: Lucie Green – lmg@mssl.ucl.ac.uk

New EIS science nugget

http://msslxr.mssl.ucl.ac.uk:8080/SolarB/eisnuggets.jsp

UCL-MSSL is pleased to announce a new Hinode EIS science nugget.

The nugget looks at the evolution of a small-scale flux emergence event in NOAA active region 10971 and is written by Santiago Vargas Domínguez and Salvo Guglielmino.

Next month’s nugget is entitled “the EIS bright point trigger”.

EIS nuggets are published on the 1st of every month and we welcome contributions from the community. Please contact Lucie Green if you are interested.

Presentations from Missions Meeting at RAS available on web

uksp_sec — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:27:40 +0000

For reference, a number of the talks given at the missions discussion meeting, held at the RAS on 14th July, are now available on the web. The talks can be found at http://www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/www_plasma/mist_uksp_missions/UK_Space_Exp..html on the “Talks” page.

Regards,

Colin Forsyth, on behalf of the meeting organisers
Lucie Green
Jim Wild
David Williams

Raymond N. Smartt

uksp_sec — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:22:44 +0000

From: Steve Keil – skeil@nso.edu

Raymond N. Smartt

Raymond N. (Ray) Smartt, long-time National Solar Observatory scientist, passed away on 7 August 2010, in Newcastle, Australia, a few days after his 80th birthday. Ray was an optical physicist who made important contributions to coronal physics and served NSO as Deputy Director at Sac Peak in the 1980s and 1990s, supporting it with passion

Ray’s professional career started with the CSIRO in Sydney working with W.H.(Beatty) Steel and Ron Giovanelli, building a 1/8 Angstrom birefringent H-alpha filter (which after refurbishment is about to continue in SOLIS). He was one of a team of three people who built the first laser in Australia, and he personally produced the first hologram in Australia. He moved to the US in 1967, completed his Masters Degree at the University of Rochester and his PhD at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Observations of the Near-Infrared Solar Corona and a New Interferometric Telescope Test). He joined the Sacramento Peak Observatory (now part of NSO) in 1976 and retired from NSO in 2000, returning to his native Australia.

As a skilled optician, Ray developed (and obtained a patent for) the point-diffraction interferometer, made a number of innovations to Fabry-Perot filters used in solar physics, and in collaboration with Serge Koutchmy (following in the footsteps of Bernard Lyot and Jack Evans, and carried on by Jacques Beckers and Jeff Kuhn) he demonstrated the superb qualities of off-axis, all-reflecting coronagraphs leading to the design of the four-meter Advanced Technology Solar Telescope.

The corona remained the focus of his solar physics career during which he led a number of eclipse expeditions, obtained evidence of loop-loop reconnection events, and the structure of the magnetic field vector in prominences to name but a few of the many areas that he explored.

For nearly a decade, Ray served as Deputy Director of the National Solar Observatory for Sacramento Peak, a responsibility which he carried out with great humility and devotion to the resident, U.S. and international solar physics community. As chair of the Sac Peak Telescope Allocations Committee, Ray worked diligently to insure that every observing run was successful. Later, he played a major role in developing the Sac Peak Visitor’s Center, and particularly the scientific displays enjoyed by many tens of thousands of visitors every year. And no one who has passed through Sac Peak, will forget his magnificent garden with its huge dahlias.

Ray was an esteemed colleague and leading light in our profession and in our community. He will be sorely missed by the worldwide solar physics community to whose science he contributed greatly and whom he touched personally – and particularly by those of us who lived and worked closely with him at Sunspot.

With contributions from Veronique Bommier, Iraida Kim, Serge Koutchmy, Jeff Kuhn, John Leibacher, Bill Livingston, Priscilla Piano, John Smartt, Jean-Claude Vial, and Jack Zirker.

Request for Community Input to the Review of STFC Grant Funding Mechanisms

uksp_sec — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:20:27 +0000

From: Deborah Miller – Deborah.Miller@STFC.AC.UK

Request for Community Input to the Review of STFC Grant Funding
Mechanisms

Over the past few months, STFC has been reviewing the delivery of its
support for the exploitation of current facilities and experiments
(including associated theoretical activity but excluding post launch
support) in universities and other research groups. The Review Panel,
chaired by Professor James Stirling, has developed some options on how
such support might be delivered in the future and we are now seeking
the views of the wider STFC community on the options that have emerged
to date, some possible variations on those options and any additional
ideas you may wish to put forward. To make an input please visit
http://www.stfc.ac.uk/19448.aspx1

STFC/POST Parliamentary Fellowship Scheme – deadline date is 31st August 2010

uksp_sec — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:11:54 +0000

An exciting opportunity is available for a STFC funded PhD student to undertake a three month secondment to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). Working in Westminster, the scheme will enable the successful applicant to assist POST with their busy research workload and gain valuable insights into the work of Parliament and the policy making process.

POST is the UK Parliament’s in-house source of objective, balanced and independent briefing materials aimed at MPs and Peers from across Parliament. Their work is focused on informing parliamentary debate on science and technology issues by:

· Publishing accessible science and technology briefings and reports

· Supporting Select Committees with informal advice, oral briefings, data analysis, background papers and follow-up research during committee inquiries

· Organising discussions and events to stimulate debate within Parliament on topical issues

· Horizon-scanning to anticipate scientific and technological issues which are likely to influence and impact public policy.

The successful applicant will be expected to assist POST fulfil its duties whilst on secondment, and this may include:

· Producing a POSTnote on a given topic

· Contributing to a longer POST report

· Assisting a select committee in a current inquiry.

This opportunity is available to all STFC funded PhD students in their second or third years at the time of application.

Follow this link for further details and instructions on how to apply.
http://www.stfc.ac.uk/Funding+and+Grants/18640.aspx

Diary of Forthcoming Events

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:47:49 +0000

From: Melanie.Illsley – Melanie.Illsley@stfc.ac.uk

Diary of Forthcoming Events

1 September – CMS Upgrade Oversight Committee, Imperial College, London

STFC contact: Rachel.Boning@stfc.ac.uk

1 – 3 September – ICFA Beam Dynamics mini-workshop on Deflecting/Crabbing Cavity Applications in Accelerators, Cockcroft Institute

STFC contact : Sue.Waller@stfc.ac.uk

2 September – Rosetta Philae Lander Steering Committee, Helsinki.

UK Space Agency contact : Rosemary.Young@stfc.ac.uk

6 – 7 September – Physical and Life Sciences Committee, Polaris House, Swindon

STFC contacts : Victoria.Wright@stfc.ac.uk and Jenny.Hiscock@stfc.ac.uk

8 September - High Performance Computing Oversight Committee meeting, venue to be confirmed

STFC lead : Trish.Mullins@stfc.ac.uk

STFC contact : Malcolm.Booy@stfc.ac.uk

8 September – Programme Board, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot

STFC contact : Linda.Baines@stfc.ac.uk

8 September – ISIC Establishment Board, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot

STFC contact : Barbara.Ghinelli@stfc.ac.uk

8 September – Forum Meeting, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot and Daresbury Laboratory

STFC contact : Barbara.Ghinelli@stfc.ac.uk

8 September – Grants Funding Mechanism Review Panel, Polaris House, Swindon

STFC contact : Deborah.Miller@stfc.ac.uk

14 September – Liverpool Telescope Oversight Committee Telecon

STFC contact : Michelle.Cooper@stfc.ac.uk

14 – 19 September – BSA Festival of Science, Birmingham Aston

STFC contact : Neville.Hollingworth@stfc.ac.uk

15 September – RCUKEG (Research Councils UK Executive Group), Polaris House, Swindon

STFC contact : Sharon.Bonfield@stfc.ac.uk

15 September – KMOS Oversight Committee, venue to be confirmed

STFC contact : Michelle.Cooper@stfc.ac.uk

21 September – Computing Advisory Panel meeting, Medical Research Council, London

Chair – Peter Clarke Peter.clarke@ed.ac.uk

STFC – Trish.mullins@stfc.ac.uk

21 – 23 September – Astronomy Grants Panel : Astronomy Observations and Astronomy Theory Peer Review panel, Polaris House, Swindon

STFC contact : Kim.Burchell@stfc.ac.uk

21 – 24 September – ALMA Oversight Committee, venue to be confirmed

STFC contact : Michelle.Cooper@stfc.ac.uk

28 – 30 September – Astronomy Grants Panel : Solar Studies and Planetary Studies Peer Review panel, Polaris House, Swindon

STFC contact : Kim.Burchell@stfc.ac.uk

Symposia, Special Sessions and Joint Discussions for IAU 2012 including the GA in Beijing

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:57 +0000

From: Lyndsay Fletcher – lyndsay@astro.gla.ac.uk

Symposia, Special Sessions and Joint Discussions for IAU 2012 including the GA in Beijing

Dear Solar Physicist,

The IAU Newsletter asking for Letters of Intent for Symposia, Special Sessions and Joint Discussions for 2012 (that includes the GA in Beijing) has been issued. Deadline for LoIs is 15 September.

I remind you that having success in these proposals requires a sound scientific case (better if not addressed recently at other IAU events) and that contains a timely topic and some cross-disciplinary character. SS and JDs should be more focused. Remember that in 2011 there will be a Symposium on the recent Solar Minimum in Mendoza, Argentina. It is important that SOC membership reflects all involved disciplines and that maintains the necessary international and gender balance.

Please check:

http://www.iau.org/science/meetings/rules/

Best regards,

Valentin Martinez Pillet
IAU Division II
President

ETH Zurich solar radio data

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:42:47 +0000

From: Lyndsay Fletcher – lyndsay@astro.gla.ac.uk

ETH Zurich solar radio data

Dear colleagues,

I would like to inform you about recent changes in the CALLISTO and PHOENIX observations and data archives.

1. As the computers at ETH Zurich are getting old, unreliable, and will not be replaced, we have moved the PHOENIX and CALLISTO data to Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW) in Windisch, Switzerland. There it is the Institute for 4D Technologies lead by André Csillaghy, who takes responsibility.
The new address is: http://soleil.i4ds.ch/solarradio/
The data are in fits format as before and can be downloaded via internet.

The current link at ETH Zurich
http://www.astro1obs.phys.ethz.ch/cgi-bin/showdir?dir=observations
will operate only for a few more weeks.

2. A new IDL code is being finalized to analyze the solar radio spectrogram data by FHNW. It has the basic functions of the old RAGVIEW, but is based on the RHESSI GUI used in plotman. It is great fun to use, as one would expect from André. The code already exists and will be uploaded to SSW in the near future. A separate mail will be sent around to inform potential users.

3. PHOENIX-2 will move to Humain in the near future. PHOENIX-3 may go to Ireland. CALLISTO in the form of Phoenix-4 and Phoenix-5 will continue to observe in Bleien, Switzerland, now operated by FHNW.

We will keep you informed,
Arnold Benz
Christian Monstein
André Csillaghy

Sun|trek Website

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:41:12 +0000

From: Helen Mason – hm11@damtp.cam.ac.uk

Sun|trek Website

www.suntrek.org

The Sun|trek website is going from strength to strength and the usage in the UK (USA and world-wide) is growing fast. One of the major updates we would like to make is to overhaul the information on the Solar Guides and if possible to link up with local outreach activities. In this regard, could I ask all the Solar Guides to review the information in their profile and to send me an updated version and any new photos and/or links. If any younger members of the solar community would like to get involved, and have their profile included, please could they also contact me. We would also like to make more use of the social networking sites (eg facebook) and other new technologies, i-phones, apps etc. If anyone has ideas how we (in the UK) could make more use of these new technologies (for promoting our solar research), it would be good to hear them. The USA/NASA seems to be ahead of us in this regard.
Thanks, Helen, Sun|trek team.

Change of address – Stephane Regnier

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:39:42 +0000

From: Stephane Regnier – SRegnier@uclan.ac.uk

Change of Address

My new address is

Jeremiah Horrocks Institute
University of Central Lancashire
Preston, Lancashire
PR1 2HE

Change of address – Youra Taroyan

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:39:11 +0000

From: Youra Taroyan – yot@aber.ac.uk

Change of address

New contact details:

Dr Youra Taroyan
Lecturer
Institute of Mathematics & Physics
Aberystwyth University
Penglais
ABERYSTWYTH
SY23 3BZ

Notification of a forthcoming Call for Proposals for a medium-sized mission

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:35:47 +0000

From: Gemma Hall – Gemma.Hall@stfc.ac.uk

Notification of a forthcoming Call for Proposals for a medium-sized mission with a possible launch in 2022

At the end of July 2010, the Director of Science and Robotic Exploration plans to issue a Call for Proposals for medium-sized (M-class) missions, as part of the Cosmic Vision 2105-2025 Plan – ESA’s long term scientific plan.

The Call is planned to lead to the selection of one M-class mission for a launch opportunity currently foreseen around late 2022.

This early notification is to inform the scientific community of the forthcoming Call and to provide a rough timeline for the main milestones associated with it. The exact dates for these milestones will be provided when the Call is released at the end of this month.

Late July 2010 Release of the Call for M-class Mission Proposals

Mid September 2010 Submission deadline for Letters of Intent

Late September 2010 Briefing meeting for Proposers

Early December 2010 Submission deadline for Proposals

The full details and documentation for the Call will be posted on this website (http://sci.esa.int), together with the dedicated web forms for submitting the Letters of Intent and Proposals.

Announcement regarding STFC fellowships

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:32:23 +0000

From: Claire Foullon – claire.foullon@warwick.ac.uk

Announcement regarding STFC fellowships

STFC is able to announce that we will be providing funding from 2011 onwards for 12 advanced fellowships; 220 students per annum on average; 5 CASE students per annum. STFC will not be supporting any postdoctoral fellowships at this time.

Research Fellow at Queens University Belfast

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:30:58 +0000

From: Mihalis Mathioudakis – M.Mathioudakis@qub.ac.uk

Research Fellow at Queens University Belfast

Job Advert

http://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/QUBJobVacancies/OtherJobs/JobDetails/?vac_no=10/101468&ref=10/101468

Ref: 10/101468

Applications are invited for a 3 year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship position, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, in the physics of solar and stellar flares. The post is located within the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC) of the School of Mathematics and Physics.

The successful candidate will work on a project within the Solar and Cool Star Physics Group in ARC involving high time resolution observations of both the solar atmosphere and those of other cool stars. This Group makes extensive use of a wide range of solar and astronomical satellites and ground-based telescopes, with current activities focused on the study of oscillatory and transitory phenomena in solar and stellar atmospheres. Recently, we have built and commissioned the Rapid Oscillations in the Solar Atmosphere (ROSA) imaging system that can observe the solar atmosphere in as many as 6 wavelengths simultaneously, and with a cadence of up to 200 Hz. ROSA is currently at the National Solar Observatory in New Mexico USA. The Group makes extensive use of image reconstruction techniques for the analysis of ground-based solar observations from ROSA and other instruments. In addition, the Group uses the ULTRACAM instrument for high cadence observations of cool star atmospheres.

Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant subject either awarded or submitted by the time of taking up the post. Experience is essential in either (i) the reduction and analysis of solar and/or cool star observations from satellite-borne or ground-based instruments, or (ii) the development of theoretical models of solar and/or cool star atmospheres. Also essential are experience with the IDL computing environment, and a reasonable number of high quality publications commensurate with stage of career.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Prof Mihalis Mathioudakis, email:
m.mathioudakis@qub.ac.uk

Salary scale: £29,853 – £38,951 per annum (including contribution points).
Closing date: 4.00pm, Friday 1 October 2010.

Please visit our website for further information and to apply online –
www.qub.ac.uk/jobs or alternatively contact the Personnel Department,
Queen’s University Belfast, BT7 1NN. Telephone (028) 90973044 FAX: (028) 90971040 or e-mail on personnel@qub.ac.uk

The University is committed to equality of opportunity and to selection on merit. It therefore welcomes applications from all sections of society and particularly welcomes applications from people with a disability.

Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

Postgraduate positions in high latitude auroral and radar studies

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:29:12 +0000

From: Lanchester B.S. – B.S.Lanchester@soton.ac.uk

Postgraduate positions in high latitude auroral and radar studies

Funding is available for two PhD positions, in Southampton, UK and in Stockholm, Sweden, starting from 1 October 2010. The UK position is funded by NERC and will be based in the Space Environment Physics group in the School of Physics and Astronomy, at the University of Southampton. The Swedish position is funded by the Swedish Research Council and will be based in the Space and Plasma Physics group in the School of Electrical Engineering, KTH, Stockholm.

The two studentships will be closely linked in their research aims, and collaboration between the two groups will be an important part of the projects. Experimental research on auroral structure using novel imaging, spectral and radar instruments forms the core of the projects. It is envisaged that both students will spend time in the other institute during their PhD studies. They will also undertake fieldwork in Svalbard, Norway where the optical instruments and the EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR) are located.

Contacts:

Professor Betty Lanchester
Space Environment Physics
School of Physics and Astronomy
University of Southampton
Southampton, SO17 1BJ
United Kingdom
tel: 0044(0)2380 592049
email: bsl@soton.ac.uk

Dr Nickolay Ivchenko
Space and Plasma Physics
School of Electrical Engineering
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
Stockholm 10044 Sweden
tel: 0046(8)7907692
email: nickolay.ivchenko@ee.kth.se

PhD studentship in magnetohydrodynamics

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:28:21 +0000

From: Sergei Molokov – csx176@piens.freeserve.co.uk

PhD studentship in magnetohydrodynamics

A 3-year PhD Studentship in Magnetohydrodynamics is available from September 2010 at Applied Mathematics Research Centre of Coventry University. The precise research subject is open and can be suited to the successful candidate’s preferences. It may involve theoretical, numerical or experimental research, or a combination of all the three.

Candidates must be EU nationals and must hold a BSc degree in mathematics, physics, fluid mechanics or engineering. The studentship involves a stipend of around £12,000 per annum, and also covers tuition fees.

Interested candidates should contact any of the potential supervisors below:

Prof S Molokov (s.molokov@coventry.ac.uk)
Dr A Pedcenko (a.pedcenko@coventry.ac.uk)
Dr J Priede (j.priede@coventry.ac.uk)
Dr A Potherat (a.potherat@coventry.ac.uk)

Research Assistant (3-year position) at Northumbria University

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:27:28 +0000

From: James McLaughlin – james.a.mclaughlin@northumbria.ac.uk

Research Assistant (3-year position) at Northumbria University

Research Assistant / Senior Research Assistant (3-year position) [ reference : CEI09/14 ]

Applications are invited for an internally-funded, Postdoctoral Research Assistant / Senior Research Assistant to undertake research in Solar Physics with Dr James McLaughlin. This postdoctoral position is fixed term for a period of 3 years (start date is flexible). As you may know, I have recently been appointed to as lecturer in Applied Mathematics, and so “Solar Physics”, “Magnetohydrodynamics” and “Mathematical Modelling of Solar Phenomena” are now all active and valid research area within the School. The School is looking for high-quality, motivated researchers who are conducting REF-driven research. If this sounds like you, then I encourage you to apply.

Applications are welcome from all areas of Solar Physics research, especially magnetohydrodynamics, mathematical modelling, and the analysis of solar observations. Researchers with expertise in modelling (both numerical & analytical) and/or wavelet analysis will be highly regarded. Candidates should complete the application form and include a list of relevant publications as well as details of their research interests.

If you are interested in applying for this position, feel free to call me (0191-227-3667) or email me for further details (james.a.mclaughlin@northumbria.ac.uk).

However, note the short deadline – Thursday 19th August 2010 !

The job advert can be found here:

http://work4.northumbria.ac.uk/hrvacs/cei0914?fb=true [work4.northumbria.ac.uk]

and alternatively here:

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/ABL224/senior-research-assistant-research-assistant-in-applied-mathematics/ [www.jobs.ac.uk]

and I have reproduced it below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Senior Research Assistant/Research Assistant in Applied Mathematics
(fixed term for 3 years)

School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences Ref: CEI09/14

Salary: Senior Research Assistant: £25,198 – £30,656
Research Assistant: £20,316 – £23,767

We are looking to appoint a Research Assistant / Senior Research Assistant in the Applied Mathematics to work with one of the staff currently engaged in research activities.

You will be required to undertake research in a relevant area which is complementary to the current research portfolio of the Subject team, contribute to teaching modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and engage in external activities to build collaborative research with other public and private organisations.

You must hold a good first degree in Mathematics or related subject area. Relevant specialist knowledge gained from experience of research activity, professional practice or consultancy is also essential. A PhD in a relevant discipline is required for applications at Senior Research Assistant level.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Dr. Colin Creasy on 0191-227-4348

Closing date: 19 August 2010

If you would like to apply, please send your completed Application Form to staffcareers@northumbria.ac.uk quoting the reference number.

Northumbria University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Solar System Plasma Turbulence

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:14:15 +0000

From: Nakariakov, Valery – V.Nakariakov@warwick.ac.uk

Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Solar System Plasma Turbulence

Department of Physics, Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics, University of Warwick, UK

£23,566 – £26,523 pa or £27,319 – £35,646 pa

Fixed Term Contract for 3 Years

This STFC funded project centres on the understanding of turbulence in solar system plasmas such as the solar wind by means of mathematical modelling, large scale simulation, and analysis of in-situ spacecraft data.

You will have, or will expect to attain, a PhD (or equivalent) in Physics or a relevant discipline. It should be noted that this post is designed as a career development post for someone who is newly qualified and wishes to gain experience in this field.

Enquiries to: Prof Sandra. C. Chapman, email: S.C.Chapman@astro.warwick.ac.uk
.
For further details of the post and for an application form see
http://www.warwick.ac.uk/go/cfsa/pdraturbulence

An application form must be completed if you wish to be considered for this post. Please quote job vacancy reference number 51307-070.

The closing date/time for applications is midnight (British time) at the end of Wednesday 01 September 2010.

The university values diversity.

ESA Postdoctoral Fellowships in Space Science

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:13:07 +0000

From: Melanie.Illsley – Melanie.Illsley@stfc.ac.uk

ESA Postdoctoral Fellowships in Space Science

The European Space Agency awards several postdoctoral fellowships each year. The aim of these fellowships is to provide young scientists, holding a PhD or the equivalent degree, with the means of performing space science research in fields related to the ESA Science Programme. Areas of research include planetary science, astronomy and astrophysics, solar and solar-terrestrial science, plasma physics and fundamental physics. The fellowships have a duration of two years and are tenable at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, Netherlands, or at the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Villafranca del Castillo, near Madrid, Spain.

Applications are now solicited for fellowships in space science to begin in the summer or fall of 2011. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD. Candidates not holding a PhD yet are encouraged to apply, but they must provide evidence of receiving their degree before starting the fellowship.

The deadline for applications is 1 October 2010.

More information on the ESA Research Fellowship programme in Space Science, on the conditions and eligibility, as well as the application form can be found on the world-wide web at this address:
http://www.rssd.esa.int/fellowship

Questions on the scientific aspects of the ESA Fellowship Programme in Space Science not answered in the above pages can be sent by e-mail to the fellowship coordinator, Dr. Guido De Marchi, at the address fellowship@rssd.esa.int

New RHESSI Science Nugget

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:43:39 +0000

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/Chromospheric_Plasma_Parameters

Semi-empirical models of the chromosphere, and plasma physics.

New EIS science nugget

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:42:56 +0000

http://msslxr.mssl.ucl.ac.uk:8080/SolarB/eisnuggets.jsp

UCL-MSSL is pleased to announce a new Hinode EIS science nugget.

The nugget looks at preparing EIS data using neural networks to obtain precise Doppler velocity measurements and is written by Dr. Suguru Kamio.

Next month’s nugget is entitled “the EIS bright point trigger”.

EIS nuggets are published on the 1st of every month and we welcome contributions from the community. Please contact Lucie Green if you are interested.

UKSP nugget

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:41:44 +0000

A new UKSP nugget has appeared:

Magnetic relaxation in the solar corona, by Antonia Wilmot-Smith, Anthony Yeates, Gunnar Hornig and David Pontin (University of Dundee)

http://www.uksolphys.org/nuggets/2-magnetic-relaxation-in-the-solar-corona/

Future UKSP Nuggets will be published on at least a monthly basis. For more info:
http://www.uksolphys.org/uksp-nuggets/

From
Lyndsay Fletcher & Iain Hannah

Copernicus Medal for Ken Phillips

uksp_sec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:38:50 +0000

Congratulations to Ken Phillips on obtaining the Copernicus Medal, awarded by the Polish Academy of Sciences for his work with colleagues, notably Prof. Janusz Sylwester, on solar X-ray spectra. The medal is awarded to just a few scientists in all disciplines annually, and is the Polish Academy’s highest award. This is in addition to the medal Ken received last September from the University of Wroclaw, Poland, for his work with Prof. Rudaway.

Instrument Analyst/Engineer:Imperial College London – Space and Atmospheric Physics Group

uksp_sec — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:58:58 +0000

From: Patrick Brown – patrick.brown@imperial.ac.uk

https://www4.ad.ic.ac.uk/OA_HTML/OA.jsp?akRegionCode=IRC_VIS_VAC_DISPLAY_PAGE&akRegionApplicationId=800&transactionid=1807900372&retainAM=Y&addBreadCrumb=S&p_svid=18576&p_spid=943021&oapc=15oas=oGuLXhkhq04U0cohj7iIDQ

Instrument Analyst/Engineer:Imperial College London – Space and Atmospheric Physics Group Department of Physics South Kensington Campus

Salary £31,340 to £38,930 per annum

Fixed term: 1 year in the first instance, commencing immediately, with the possibility of extension subject to funding

Applications are invited for a one-year Instrument Analyst/Engineer position in the Space and Atmospheric Physics Group within the Department of Physics at Imperial College, to start as soon as possible.

The group currently has a major scientific and hardware involvement in world-leading heliospheric, magnetospheric and planetary physics space missions. Further details can be found at http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/spat.

The successful candidate will join a team of scientists and engineers to take over the operation and calibration of the four fluxgate magnetometer experiments on board the ESA Cluster magnetospheric research spacecraft. The operations role will involve preparation of instrument command sequences, monitoring of instrument performance and critical parameters and associated data analysis. The calibration role will involve the preparation of high quality calibrated datasets as part of the Cluster Active Archive project. In addition to these tasks it is expected the post holder will undertake magnetometer instrument development activities in the areas of sensor development, electronics design, breadboarding and test in response to new opportunities that may arise.

A degree in physics, engineering, or a closely related discipline or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience is essential.

You will have experience in the use of high end scientific instrumentation including design and signal conditioning techniques in the analogue and/or digital domain.

Experience of one or more programming languages (e.g. C, C++, Assembler), algorithm and code development is essential. Experience of the plotting and analysis of experimental data and associated processing and data manipulation methods is also essential.

Familiarity with generic instrument and sensor calibraton principles and processes would be desirable. Experience of Matlab, Linux operating systems, and scripting languages such as PERL would also be desirable.

Informal inquiries about the position can be directed to Patrick Brown (patrick.brown@imperial.ac.uk) or Chris Carr (c.m.carr@imperial.ac.uk).

Our preferred method of application is online via our website: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/employment (Please select “Job Search”, then enter the job title or vacancy reference number NS 2010 117NT into “Keywords”). Please complete and upload an application form as directed, also providing a CV and a list of publications, and the names of three referees.

Should you have any queries about the application process please contact the Space and Atmospheric Physics Group Administration office via space.sec@imperial.ac.uk

Closing Date: 23 August 2010

Committed to equality and valuing diversity. The Department of Physics is an Athena Silver SWAN Award winner and an Institute of Physics Juno Champion.

Solar News Items of Interest

uksp_sec — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:14:05 +0000

Solar News Items of Interest

http://solarnews.nso.edu/2010/20100713.txt

End of EIT CME watch observations
Nature will start accepting solar papers again
ACCEHS Workshop: SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT
AGU Fall 2010 – Session SH04 : Nonlinear Structures and Processes in the
Solar Wind Plasma
Electronics engineer position (full time) University of Kiel
Post-Doctoral research position (full time) University of Kiel

STFC / POST Parliamentary Fellowship Scheme

uksp_sec — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:28:49 +0000

From: Melanie.Illsley@stfc.ac.uk

STFC/POST Parliamentary Fellowship Scheme

· Publishing accessible science and technology briefings and reports

· Supporting Select Committees with informal advice, oral briefings, data analysis, background papers and follow-up research during committee inquiries

· Organising discussions and events to stimulate debate within Parliament on topical issues

· Horizon-scanning to anticipate scientific and technological issues which are likely to influence and impact public policy.

The successful applicant will be expected to assist POST fulfil its duties whilst on secondment, and this may include:

· Producing a POSTnote on a given topic

· Contributing to a longer POST report

· Assisting a select committee in a current inquiry.

This opportunity is available to all STFC funded PhD students in their second or third years at the time of application.

Follow this link for further details and instructions on how to apply
http://www.stfc.ac.uk/Funding+and+Grants/18640.aspx

RHESSI Science Nugget

uksp_sec — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:07:22 +0000

From: Hugh Hudson – hhudson@ssl.berkeley.edu

RHESSI Science Nugget

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/Cloudy_SolarSoftware

The Cloud helps with access to data in the Virtual Solar Observatory.

“Harmonic Oscillations” – RHESSI rotation and nutation are necessary, but may
complicate time-series analysis.

Change of Address: From:

uksp_sec — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:04:17 +0000

From: Stephen Bradshaw – Stephen.Bradshaw@rice.edu

Change of Address

As of July 1st 2010 my contact details are:

Dr. Stephen Bradshaw
(Asst. Prof. Physics and Astronomy)
Physics and Astronomy Department, MS-108,
Rice University,
6100 Main Street,
Houston,
TX 77005.

Tel: 713-348-4045
Email: Stephen.Bradshaw@rice.edu

ChiantiPy – a Python interface to the CHIANTI atomic database for astrophysical spectroscopy

uksp_sec — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:02:43 +0000

From: Ken Dere – kdere@gmu.edu

ChiantiPy – a Python interface to the CHIANTI atomic database for astrophysical
spectroscopy

http://chiantipy.sourceforge.net/

We are pleased to announce the release of ChiantiPy, a Python package for calculating synthetic spectra from the CHIANTI atomic database for astrophysical spectroscopy. ChiantiPy provides the same functionality as the existing IDL package. One benefit of ChiantiPy is that it uses Python, a freely available programming language. ChiantiPy is constructed as an object-oriented package that provides a good match to the modular construction of the CHIANTI database itself. Our intention is to maintain both the IDL and Python packages for the indefinite future.

The documentation for ChiantiPy can be found at

http://chiantipy.sourceforge.net/

and the software package can be downloaded from

http://sourceforge.net/projects/chiantipy/

Python is available for Windows, Mac OS, Linux and Unix. ChiantiPy itself has been developed on a Linux platform and has received most of its testing on Linux. In software development terminology, it is an ‘alpha’ release, meaning it has not really undergone sufficient testing in a variety of environments. We welcome reports of user’s experiences on the chiantipy-users email list on Sourceforge:

chiantipy-users@lists.sourceforge.net

In addition, several discussion forums have been set up at

http://sourceforge.net/projects/chiantipy/forums

Research Associate – University of Sheffield

uksp_sec — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:13:37 +0000

From: E Kim

Research Associate

The post-holder will undertake research into the transport in the Sun and other stars with Dr Eun-Jin Kim in Solar Physics and Space Plasma Research Centre (SP2RC), Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Sheffield. The post holder will emphasise leadership of research into MHD turbulence, dynamo theory, magnetic reconnection, momentum transport, and nonlinear dynamics.

Candidates must have a PhD or equivalent (or equivalent experience) and demonstrable experience of research in solar physics, MHD, turbulence, astrophysics or a related field. The post-holder will possess excellent theoretical and/or a high standard of computational MHD skills, and knowledge of IDL is desirable.

This post is fixed-term with an immediate start date and an end date of 30th
June 2011. The closing date is 23rd July, 2010. For informal enquiries about
this job, please email e.kim@sheffield.ac.uk

——————————————————–
Dr Eun-jin Kim
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Sheffield
Hicks building, Hounsfield Road
Sheffield, S3 7RH
UK

Important information regarding July and August Newsletters

uksp_sec — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:48:52 +0000

From : Editors

Important information regarding July and August Newsletters

The next newsletter will be published on Wednesday 14th July, one day earlier than usual. To include items in this newsletter please submit them by 10am on Wednesday 14th July.

There will be no newsletter on the 1st August and the next one will be sent out on the 15th August.

Duncan

Solar News Items of Interest

uksp_sec — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:41:04 +0000

Solar News Items of Interest

http://solarnews.nso.edu/2010/20100615.txt

SDO/AIA test data now available
Living Reviews in Solar Physics: “The Sun’s Supergranulation”
SDO AIA data available via the VSO
TRACE mission ending
SHINE Workshop 2010
Planning a New Flare/CME/SEP Mission
10th RHESSI Workshop: Important Deadlines
Local Helioseismology Workshop, August 2-6, 2010, Stanford
Fellowships for PhD Students in Solar System Physics
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Electronics Engineer Position at University of Kiel, Germany
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Post-doctoral Position at University of Kiel, Germany

Evaluation for STEM providers seminars

uksp_sec — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:35:59 +0000

From: Melanie.Illsley@stfc.ac.uk

Evaluation for STEM providers seminars [www.big.uk.com]

Free seminars run by The Royal Academy of Engineering [www.raeng.org.uk] and the British Interactive Group for researchers who are involved in public engagement or outreach work and will help you understand and implement effective evaluation.

The three seminars will be held in Newcastle (21st July), Bristol (2nd September) and Birmingham (6th September).

Please follow the link for further information on attending.

RHESSI Science Nugget

uksp_sec — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:18:17 +0000

From: Hugh Hudson – hhudson@ssl.berkeley.edu

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/Albedo_and_the_modification_of_RHESSI_results

Compton backscattering of X-rays from the solar photosphere has observable
and interesting consequences

Congratulations to Richard Harrison

uksp_sec — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:01:15 +0000

From: andrzej.fludra@stfc.ac.uk

Congratulations to Richard Harrison for his promotion to Individual Merit-1, the highest award that can be achieved in STFC for science leadership and research.

Thanks,

Andrzej

New EIS science nugget announcement

uksp_sec — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:59:42 +0000

From: Lucie Green

New EIS science nugget announcement

UCL-MSSL is pleased to announce a new Hinode EIS science nugget which discusses the response of the corona to the emergence of “serpentine” magnetic field.

http://msslxr.mssl.ucl.ac.uk:8080/SolarB/eisnuggets.jsp

Next month’s nugget is entitled “Preparing EIS data using neural networks? by Suguru Kamio.

EIS nuggets are published on the 1st of every month and we welcome contributions from the community. Please contact Lucie Green if you are interested.

Solar News Items of interest

uksp_sec — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:12:28 +0000

http://solarnews.nso.edu/2010/20100602.txt

Web-based Online Catalog of Solar Limb Prominences (SLIPCAT)
The 2013 – 2022 NRC Decadal Survey in Solar and Space Physics
The Origin, Evolution, and Diagnosis of Solar Flare Magnetic Fields and Plasmas: Honoring the Contributions of Dick Canfield
First Announcement: XXII Canary Islands Winter School of Astrophysics on “Asteroseismology” (November 15-26, 2010)
10th RHESSI Workshop, Annapolis, Maryland, August 1 – 5, 2010
INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED SCHOOL ON SPACE WEATHER MODELLING AND APPLICATIONS
The European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC) 2010 in Rome, Italy – Sessio MG6 “Solar Wind – Magnetosphere – Ionosphere interactions throughout the solar system”
Associate Professorship in Observational Stellar Astrophysics
MMS Mission Education and Public Outreach Lead

http://solarnews.nso.edu/2010/20100615.txt

SDO/AIA test data now available
Living Reviews in Solar Physics: “The Sun’s Supergranulation”
SDO AIA data available via the VSO
TRACE mission ending
SHINE Workshop 2010
Planning a New Flare/CME/SEP Mission
10th RHESSI Workshop: Important Deadlines
Local Helioseismology Workshop, August 2-6, 2010, Stanford
Fellowships for PhD Students in Solar System Physics
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Electronics Engineer Position at University of Kiel, Germany
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Post-doctoral Position at University of Kiel, Germany

Physics of Solar Prominences: Two review papers

uksp_sec — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:57:39 +0000

From: Nicolas Labrosse – n.labrosse@physics.gla.ac.uk

Physics of Solar Prominences: Two review papers

We are pleased to announce the publication by Space Science Reviews of a special issue dedicated to solar prominence physics (Space Science Reviews: Volume 151, Issue 4 2010)

http://www.springerlink.com/content/w72727487478/?p=06434ef68acb406faafa8729e5a32271&pi=0

Two review papers present our current understanding and the outstanding issues in the following areas:

Paper I: Spectral Diagnostics and Non-LTE Modelling

N. Labrosse, P. Heinzel, J.-C. Vial, T. Kucera, S. Parenti, S. Gunar, B. Schmieder, and G. Kilper.
Space Science Reviews: Volume 151, Issue 4 (2010), Page 243

http://arxiv.org/abs/1001.1620

The paper discusses topics relating to:
- the spectral inversion for the cool prominence plasma and for the prominence-to-corona transition region,
- determination of bulk motions and mass,
- basics of radiative transfer for spectral diagnostics based on optically thick lines, and
- non-LTE modelling of prominences.

Paper II: Magnetic Structure and Dynamics
D.H. Mackay, J.T. Karpen, J.L. Ballester, B. Schmieder and G. Aulanier.
Space Science Reviews: Volume 151, Issue 4 (2010), Page 333

http://arxiv.org/abs/1001.1635

The paper discusses recent advances in our understanding of:
- prominence magnetic structure (observations and theory),
- formation and dynamics of prominence plasmas,
- MHD waves in prominences, and
- formation and large-scale patterns of filament channels.

On behalf of all co-authors,

Nicolas Labrosse and Duncan Mackay

Sixth Triennial Special Issue – “Images in Plasma Science”

uksp_sec — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:45:17 +0000

From: Nicolas Labrosse – n.labrosse@physics.gla.ac.uk

Sixth Triennial Special Issue – “Images in Plasma Science”

http://uigelz.eecs.umich.edu/tps-images/index.html

The IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science is pleased to announce the 6th Triennial Special Issue on “Images in Plasma Science” to be published August 2011.

Compelling images convey vast amounts of data as well as often being works of art in their own right. In acknowledgement of the importance of imagery the Special Issue will present unique experimentally or computationally generated images of plasma phenomena which provide insight to the physics and which are artful. Contributions to the Images Special Issue are restricted to 2 pages in the journal-one page for the image and one page for text.

The deadline for submissions is 1 December 2010. For additional information and important submission instructions:

Announcement: http://uigelz.eecs.umich.edu/tps-images/index.html

Submission instructions: http://uigelz.eecs.umich.edu/tps-images/submission-instructions.html

Please direct questions to the Guest Editors at: images@eecs.umich.edu
Dr. Natalia Y. Babaeva
Dr. Julia Falkovitch-Khain
Prof. Mark J. Kushner
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
Guest Editors

Starlink (Astrophysics Research) Computer Manager

uksp_sec — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:34:26 +0000

From: Silvia Dalla – sdalla@uclan.ac.uk

Starlink (Astrophysics Research) Computer Manager

http://www.star.uclan.ac.uk

Salary: Grade F- £ 22,879-?26,523, Limited Term Contract for 3 Years

Closing Date: 9 July 2010

Applications are invited for the post of computer manager (Starlink system administrator), to support and maintain a heterogeneous 30-workstation Linux and Mac OS X network for astrophysics research within the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute (JHI) at UCLan.

The successful candidate will be expected to work with the Institute’s staff to help support and facilitate their research, and to provide education and guidance in the use of available and novel technical solutions. Depending on the requirements of the main duties of the post, there may be opportunities to contribute to collaborative research projects within the JHI. Current research expertise and interests of JHI staff include solar and solar-terrestrial physics, stellar and galactic astrophysics, extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, observational computational and theoretical astrophysics. (For details of the JHI and Astrophysics at UCLan, please visit www.star.uclan.ac.uk .)

The duties will include management of the JHI’s network and associated equipment, and provision of local user support to staff. The post will involve maintenance of scientific software packages (for example IDL, IRAF, Super Mongo and R), the upkeep and enhancement of current shared storage solutions, help with the design of new systems, purchase of new hardware, and the writing of documentation for effective use of the network. The postholder will also contribute to the maintenance of the JHI website, and will be expected to develop ways to maintain the health of the network.

Candidates should have a BSc Honours degree and a higher degree in a relevant subject, at least 3 years’ experience using Linux or other relevant UNIX OS including software installation, and an understanding of networking hardware and firewall configuration. Preference will be given to candidates with experience of research in astrophysics, astrophysics-related software, and/or a PhD (awarded or imminent) in physics or astronomy.

The JHI is located on UCLan?s main campus, on a pleasant site near the centre of Preston, England?s newest city. For further information on UCLan’s location and facilities, including our HPC Facility, our Sports Arena and new Indoor Sports Centre, please visit www.uclan.ac.uk.

Immediately outside the city is the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, whilst the Lake District, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks are each only an hour away. Preston has excellent communications by rail and motorway with the rest of the country: London, Edinburgh and Glasgow are all less than 2.5 hours away by direct train. Preston has many parks and green spaces for outdoor activities, a plethora of pubs and clubs and a vibrant city centre only a few minutes walk from the university. There are numerous cultural events, both in Preston and in nearby Manchester.

Informal enquiries can be directed to Silvia Dalla.

Further information can be found at:
http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/services/work/144A-11-06.php

Reference: 144A-11-06

Hours: Full time

Closing Date: 9 July 2010 at 4pm

Interview Date: 1st Week of August

Fellowships for PhD Students in Solar System Physics

uksp_sec — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:27:30 +0000

From: Dieter Schmitt – schmitt@mps.mpg.de

Fellowships for PhD Students in Solar System Physics

www.solar-system-school.de

The “International Max Planck Research School on Physical Processes in the Solar System and Beyond” at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Katlenburg-Lindau, and the Universities of Braunschweig and Goettingen, Germany, offers excellent research possibilities for students to obtain a PhD degree in a 3-years graduate program.

The program covers the full range of physics inherent in the field of solar system science from geophysics and planetary physics to solar physics as well as the underlying fundamental physics. The science program is complemented by training in computational physics, space technology and project management.

High-profile space missions, outstanding projects for ground-based instruments and data analysis, as well as theoretical and extensive numerical modeling provide a wide range of research possibilities for PhD students.

Applications for the program are open to highly-qualified and well-motivated students from all countries. A prerequisite is a diploma or master of science degree in physics or a related field, including a corresponding thesis. Proficiency in English is required.

The next PhD program will start in January 2011, review of application begins on 1 August 2010. Successful applicants will receive adequate financial support.

The application documents should include a CV, the filled application form (see web page), copies of university certificates and two letters of recommendation. The application can be send either by mail or by email (preferentially one attachment in pdf format).

For details on the IMPRS program and the application procedure, please visit
http://www.solar-system-school.de
or email to
info@solar-system-school.de

Address applications to

Dr. Dieter Schmitt
Coordinator IMPRS Solar System School
Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
Max-Planck-Str. 2
37191 Katlenburg-Lindau
Germany

Tel: +49 5556 979 431
Fax: +49 5556 979 190

News on Prof George Gelfreikh

uksp_sec — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:23:15 +0000

From: Lyndsay Fletcher – lyndsay@astro.gla.ac.uk

Prof George Gelfreikh

I am passing on this sad news from Ludwig Klein, Chair of CESRA (Community of European Solar Radio Astronomers)

Lyndsay.

Dear CESRA colleagues,

Alexander Stepanov informed me that on June 4, 2010, Professor George Gelfreikh passed away. Professor Gelfreikh was a remarkable colleague in several respects. An incomplete enumeration that does not do justice to his achievements comprises the use of microwaves as a diagnostic of the solar corona – many of us learned from his work with RATAN 600 about the rich potential that radio astronomy has in probing coronal magnetic fields. More recently he worked on microwave oscillations using the Nobeyama Radioheliograph. Besides, he had a distinct sense of humour that pervaded his conference talks and made them particular events.

CESRA expresses its condolences to George Gelfreikh’s family and colleagues.

Ludwig Klein, on behalf of the CESRA board

New RHESSI Science Nugget

uksp_sec — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:20:40 +0000

From : Hugh Hudson – hhudson@ssl.berkeley.edu

New RHESSI Science Nugget

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/RHESSI_Science_Nuggets

Can optical spectra of stellar flares be compared with images of solar flares?

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/Kernels_and_Ribbons

“Kernels and Ribbons” by Jiong Qiu. There is a new clue to distinguishing UV ribbons and hard X-ray footpoints in a major flare, discovered during a revisit to the Bastille Day flare. See

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/Kernels_and_Ribbons

INTERDISCIPLINARY PHD STUDENTSHIP

uksp_sec — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:17:50 +0000

From: David Tsiklauri – d.tsiklauri@qmul.ac.uk

INTERDISCIPLINARY PHD STUDENTSHIP

School of Mathematical Sciences / Physics Department / Queen Mary University of London

Applications are invited for EPSRC PhD studentship to work on a novel, interdisciplinary project which intends to investigate the interaction of high energy plasma particles with the conducting walls by combining plasma kinetic simulation effort (D. Tsiklauri, School of Mathematical Sciences, QMUL) with the molecular dynamics simulation of radiation damage (K. Trachenko, Physics Department, QMUL). The project is within EPSRC’s energy theme and is related to the thermonuclear fusion effort. The project’s plasma kinetic simulation effort will utilise, leading in the field, computational tools such as EPOCH Particle-In-cell (PIC) code which has been developed for the laser-plasma interaction studies and supported to by the EPSRC?s CCPP project. The project’s radiation damage effort will focus on the impact of the plasma particles on the reactor walls and will employ the state-of-the art massive parallel molecular dynamics (MD) code DL_POLY.

UK students will receive 3.5 years of EPSRC stipend (15290 p.a.), fee waiver and 1200 p.a. research training funding.

Standard EPSRC residency rules apply:

http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm

The most convenient way to apply is to use on-line service (by copying *entire* URL below into the browser window):

http://www.qmul.ac.uk/courses/courses.php?dept_id=16&pgcourses=2&course_id=289&course_level=1&article_id=278#applyonline

[then choose Full time application * PhD Mathematical Sciences (Semester 1 start; Aug - Dec)]

The application should include completed online form, academic transcript, and two references. If your referees prefer to send their references directly, these can me emailed to L.Matomaki@qmul.ac.uk and marked “C/O Dr David Tsiklauri EPSRC DTA INTERDISCIPLINARY PHD”

Informal queries can be addressed to:

Dr D. Tsiklauri via email: D.Tsiklauri -at- qmul.ac.uk
or
Dr K. Trachenko via email: K.Trachenko -at- qmul.ac.uk

The deadline is 25 June 2010.

The proposed start date is September, 2010

New Hinode EIS science nugget

uksp_sec — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:13:16 +0000

From: Lucie Green – lmg@mssl.ucl.ac.uk

New Hinode EIS science nugget

UCL-MSSL is pleased to announce a new Hinode EIS science nugget – “Velocity Characteristics of Evaporated Plasma” by Ryan Milligan.

The nugget looks at chromospheric evaporation during a GOES C1.1 class flare that occurred on 14 December 2007.

http://msslxr.mssl.ucl.ac.uk:8080/SolarB/eisnuggets.jsp

Next month’s nugget is entitled “Response of the corona to the emergence of “serpentine” magnetic field” by Louise Harra.

EIS nuggets are published on the 1st of every month and we welcome contributions from the community. Please contact Lucie Green if you are interested.

Issue 2 of the Coronal Courant (Student Newsletter)

uksp_sec — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:11:24 +0000

From: Julie Stern – solarstudentnews@aol.com

Issue 2 of the Coronal Courant (Student Newsletter)

Hello,

Issue 2 of The Coronal Courant, a newsletter for students (which grew into a magazine), has been released and can be retrieved here:

http://www.lmsal.com/~zoe/student_news/current_studentnews.pdf

Julie Stern
Editor-in-Chief
solarstudentnews@aol.com