UK Solar Physics

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

1. Probing the 3D structure of the F-corona with STEREO/HI

uksp_nug_ed — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:53:30 +0000

Author: Daniel Brown is a Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire.
SECCHI is part of NASA’s STEREO.

Introduction

The Heliospheric Imagers (HI)[1] are part of the SECCHI instrument package [2] on the STEREO mission [3]. Each STEREO spacecraft has two HIs: HI-1 views a 20° by 20° field of view and points away from the Sun by somewhere between 4° and 24°; HI-2 views a 70° by 70° field of view and points between 18° and 89° degrees away from the Sun. The HIs are normally aligned so that they observe along the ecliptic plane – the plane in which the planets move.

Figure 1: HI-1A image with (left) the F-corona dominating the emission, and (right) with the F-corona removed to reveal a CME. The small bright objects in each image are the planets Venus (left-most) and Mercury (right-most). In these images, the Sun is to the right, but out of view.

The aim of the Heliospheric Imagers is to observe coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun to the Earth [4]. However, a typical HI image is dominated by solar light scattered off interplanetary dust, known as the Fraunhofer corona (F-corona), as in Figure 1 left panel. This emission must be removed to study CMEs. One possible method of doing this is to use a difference imaging approach (in which one image is aligned with and subtracted from the next image) as the F-corona can be considered static in comparison to CME eruption. This will reveal what is changing, and what is not changing - the ‘background’.

The unchanging background includes the F-corona, and can be used to investigate the F-corona’s properties. The dust of the F-corona is thought to be in a cloud which is axisymmetric (symmetric under rotation about some axis) though not spherically symmetric [5], and at a large-scale (i.e., the scale at which the HIs observe), fairly steady – so observations over a long period can be used to build up a reasonable three-dimensional picture.

Building up the three-dimensional structure

We assume that the strongest emission comes from solar light scattered by features/dust/etc lying on a sphere with the Sun on one side, and the observer (i.e., STEREO) directly opposite, so that the sphere has a diameter equal to the distance between the Sun and the observer (Figure 2) [6]. This is often called the Thomson sphere due to Thomson scattering of light off of electrons which has a 90° preferential alignment.

Figure 2: The Thomson sphere arises due to 90° preferential scattering of solar light off of electrons. It also coincides with the point of closest approach to the Sun of a particular line-of-sight from the observer.

While Thomson scattering is not the dominant process here, the intensity of the F-corona along a given line-of-sight from the observer is strongest where that line-of-sight intersects the Thomson sphere. This marks the point of closest approach of the line-of-sight to the Sun, and the F-corona is denser and the intensity of solar light is stronger nearer to the Sun. This allows us to map the distribution of intensity, and hence scattering particles, onto the sphere.

Figure 3: A HI image can be mapped on to the Thomson sphere, which is a good approximation to the location of maximum emission along any given line-of-sight. The orange dot represents the Sun, and the blue dot the observer (STEREO).

A STEREO/HI image mapped onto the Thomson sphere gives a three-dimensional indication of the scattering, and hence density, at that location (Figure 3). As STEREO orbits the Sun, the Thompson sphere moves with the spacecraft to create a series of slices of the intensity, and hence density of scattering particles (if we assume that the large-scale structure of the F-corona is suitably steady over the course of the observations). Stacked next to one another, these slices form part of a torus (doughnut shape), showing the 3-D dust distribution. Note, some image processing over short image sequences is required to remove transient emission, such as CMEs, and stars.

Figure 4: Isosurface of the three-dimensional distribution of the F-corona scattering from HI-1A built up over just under 1 years of observations. Note, the rough break at the front-left of the isosurface is due to the Milky Way passing through the HI-1A field of view.

An isosurface from a three dimensional map of scattering from the F-corona as seen by HI-1A built up using just under 1 year of observations can be seen in Figure 4. While there are some wrinkles in the isosurface due to larger features passing through the HI-1A field of view (the Milky Way for example), the image does suggest that the scattering from the F-corona, and so the structure of the F-corona, is very axisymmetric.

Inclination of the F-corona to the ecliptic

Figure 5: A longitudinal slice from the three-dimensional scattering map showing how the intensity falls off with radius, and that there is a latitudinal dependence to the scattering.

A slice can be taken from the three-dimensional map showing how the scattering varies with radius and latitude (e.g., Figure 5). The intensity decreases with radius because of the declining intensity of solar light and interplanetary dust density as distance from the Sun increases. There is also latitudinal variation, which confirms a non-spherical density distribution of the F-corona. The intensity is higher nearer the ecliptic plane (zero latitude).

Figure 6: Location of peak intensity in the latitudinal directions indicating that the F-corona is slightly inclined to the ecliptic plane

However, closer analysis of Figure 5 shows that the peak intensity is not to be found at zero-degrees latitude, i.e. the ecliptic plane. For every radius and longitude, the latitude of the peak intensity can be found and used to produce a map showing the ’tilt’ of the F-corona compared to the ecliptic plane (see Figure 6). This map shows that the F-corona is inclined to the ecliptic by around 2.7°, which is comparable to a previous measurement of 2.5±0.5° [7] who used V and B filter, ground-based observations from a 16mm fish-eye lens attached to a CCD to study the F-corona.

Conclusions

Observations provided by the STEREO Heliospheric Imagers have proved to be more versatile than just observing CMEs. This nugget has used HI data to investigate the three-dimensional structure of the F-corona, indicating that the large-scale structure is indeed axisymmetric, but not spherically symmetric due to latitudinal variation. Analysis of the latitudinal location of peak intensity demonstrates that the F-corona is inclined to the ecliptic plane by 2.7° which is in agreement with the measurement of 2.5±0.5° by James et al (1997) [7]. However, understanding why the distribution of the scattering particles is not concentrated around the ecliptic plane – the configuration with the lowest gravitational energy – is another question!

References

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

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

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

Tenure-Track Position in Observational or Theoretical Astronomy

uksp_sec — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:52:10 +0000

From: Jongchul Chae

Tenure-Track Position in Observational or Theoretical Astronomy

Astronomy Program, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University, invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in any areas of astronomy (observational or theoretical). This position is for a non-Korean scholar only, with preference given to fluent English speakers.

The research activities among current faculty members include Solar physics, planetary science, stellar astrophysics, interstellar medium, evolution of galaxies and large scale structure, and cosmology. The regular faculty members have to teach one or two courses per semester. Interested scholars are encouraged to contact Professor Hyung Mok Lee (hmlee@snu.ac.kr) or Jongchul Chae (jcchae@snu.ac.kr) to show the intent and to get more information. The application comprises 1) a cover letter, particularly describing how likely you can come to take the position when offered, 2) the list of publications during last three years, 3) the CV with the list of all publications, 4) research plan, 5) lecture plan, and 6) list of two references with contact information. The application material should be sent via e-mail to Professor Hyung Mok Lee (hmlee@snu.ac.kr), Chair of Astronomy Program, before 2010 July 31.

The starting date of the position should be no later than March 1, 2011

PhD Studentships in Solar System Physics, Aberystwyth

uksp_ch — Tue, 25 May 2010 09:35:48 +0000

PHD STUDENTSHIP IN SOLAR SYSTEM PHYSICS

The Solar System Physics Group at Aberystwyth University’s Department of Physics invites applications for a two 3-year STFC-funded PhD studentships, commencing in October 2010.

Energy and matter emerge from the Sun and flow through our heliosphere, interacting with planetary atmospheres and surfaces, powering many of the processes which shape our world and define the planetary environment we live in. The Solar System Physics Group, part of the Institute of Maths and Physics (IMAPS) at Aberystwyth, studies this single system from the development of eruptive features on the Sun, through the evolution and structure of material in the solar wind, and the impact of this flow on the environments of the planets. This science exploitation goes hand in hand with a programme of solar system exploration, and we also researche the robotic and imaging technology for future missions that will dramatically improve their science return. The group carries out research under three main themes:

The Solar Wind and Heliosphere

The processes on the Sun that can lead to the outflow and eruption of solar material into interplanetary space are strongly related to the Sun’s magnetic field, and research is undertaken on the structure and dynamics of the magnetic field in the solar atmosphere and the structure and dynamics of these outflows and eruptions as they expand into the heliosphere. In particular we are world leaders in Interplanetary Scintillation (IPS) studies.

Planetary Magnetospheres and Ionospheres

We investigate the effect of solar material as it interacts with planets, and how it affects the loss of planetary atmospheres, particularly at Venus; Compare the behaviour of the magnetospheres, ionospheres and exospheres of Solar System planets and Moons.

Planetary Surfaces and Robotic Exploration

To determine the composition of the Moon and inner planets and identify their formation history; to develop the next generation of robotics for planetary exploration.

A PhD with the IMAPS team is an opportunity to undertake original research in one of these exciting fields. The successful applicant will receive training in theoretical/experimental techniques and participate in international conferences and collaborative work overseas.

The studentships provide resources to cover university fees plus a tax-free stipend (currently £13,290 per annum). Applicants should hold (or expect to achieve) a first or upper-second class MPhys or BSc honours degree in physics or a related subject by the summer of 2010. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate established UK residency (for more information see www.scitech.ac.uk/Grants/Studs/student.aspx#Residence).

IMAPS also offers 3 scholarships a year for Non-EU Postgraduates to cover the difference between overseas fees and UK/EU fees. For more information please contact the department at imaps@aber.ac.uk

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Prof Manuel Grande – (M.Grande@aber.ac.uk) as soon as possible, to make informal enquiries prior to submitting an application.

Aberystwyth University’s online application system and application forms are available at http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/ Once this formal application is made, suitable candidates will be invited to visit the institute to learn at first hand of the research activities, to meet members of staff and to see the facilities available.

The final closing date for applications is 30 June 2010, but the process will run throughout this period, so early application is advised.

Visit http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/imaps/prospective/postgrad/solarsystemprojects/

New RHESSI Science Nugget

uksp_sec — Mon, 17 May 2010 11:09:44 +0000

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

New RHESSI Science Nugget

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/RHESSI%27s_Anneal_Adventure

An operations anomaly leads to very successful improvements in RHESSI’s performance.

Review of STFC Grant Funding mechanisms

uksp_sec — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:56:42 +0000

From: Melanie.Illsley@stfc.ac.uk

Review of STFC Grant Funding mechanisms

STFC has decided to review how its delivers its support for the exploitation of facilities and experiments in the particle physics, astronomy, space and nuclear physics areas (including associated theoretical activity) in universities and other research groups. The review is a response to the need to ensure that our grant funding and delivery mechanisms are fit for purpose given the likely continued pressure on funding and the need to balance support for long term programmes with the need to retain funding flexibility.

The review Panel’s remit is to consider and recommend the most appropriate funding mechanisms to ensure that support aligns with STFC?s strategic goals, recognises and rewards science excellence, maintains critical mass and impact, meets the desire to exploit current and past investment in facilities and experiments, has the flexibility to respond to different needs and does not impose an undue administrative burden on the STFC or its community.

The Panel will be Chaired by Professor James Stirling of University of
Cambridge. As it works, the Panel will maintain close cooperation with the STFC Grants Panels on the developing options and resulting
recommendations. There will also be an opportunity for the community to make an input at an appropriate point. The Panel is expected to deliver its report to the STFC Executive in the Autumn 2010.

Panel Membership

Chair : Professor James Stirling FRS, University of Cambridge

Professor Mark Lancaster, University College London
Professor Brian Fulton, University of York
Professor Michael Bode, Liverpool John Moores University
Professor Michael Merrifield, University of Nottingham

Deborah Miller, STFC – Project Manager

Michael West Research Fellowship – Queen’s University Belfast

uksp_sec — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:47:01 +0000

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

Michael West Research Fellowship

http://star.pst.qub.ac.uk/

Michael West Research Fellow
Ref. 10/101363

School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast

Applications are invited for the 3-year Michael West Research Fellowship, located within the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC) of the School of Mathematics and Physics. This fully-funded fellowship will allow the successful applicant to pursue their own astronomical research programme, which should be complementary to those already being undertaken within ARC. A novel aspect of this fellowship is that the fellow will make a significant contribution to the astronomy outreach programme in the School. An appropriate research support package will be provided.

Further information on ARC activities may be found on the ARC website at:

http://star.pst.qub.ac.uk/

Informal enquiries may be directed to Prof. Mihalis Mathioudakis
(m.mathioudakis@qub.ac.uk).

An application pack for the post, containing further details of the essential and desirable criteria, with post reference 10/101363, is available from our website:

http://www.qub.ac.uk/jobs

Salary: 29,853-34,607 per annum (including contribution points) Closing date: 4.00 pm, Friday 30 July 2010.

SWAP & LYRA data release and PROBA2 Guest Investigator Program

uksp_sec — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:48:04 +0000

From: David Berghmans – david.berghmans@sidc.be

SWAP & LYRA data release and PROBA2 Guest Investigator Program

http://proba2.sidc.be

The ESA micro-satellite PROBA2 was launched last November with two solar instruments onboard: SWAP, an EUV imager, and LYRA, a UV radiometer. SWAP and LYRA have an open data policy. We are happy to announce the beta data release of the science data products. We also announce the open call for the PROBA2 Guest Investigator Program to promote & fund SWAP and LYRA data analysis by external scientists (submission deadline June 10!).

For the time being we have online the following FITS flles in YYYY/MM/DD directories:
* SWAP raw images, e.g. http://proba2.oma.be/swap/data/eng/2010/05/01/
* SWAP calibrates images, e.g. http://proba2.oma.be/swap/data/bsd/2010/05/01/
* LYRA raw ‘standard’ time curves, e.g. http://proba2.oma.be/lyra/data/eng/2010/05/01/

New data will become available in (near) real time. Older data will gradually become available as we backward process the received telemetry. Users are encouraged to feedback problems and questions such that we can further fine-tune the format of the data products.The latest SWAP image and a recent LYRA time-curve can be found on the front page of http://sidc.be. More information on the instruments and data will become available on http://proba2.sidc.be.

A Guest Investigator Program is available to promote the use of PROBA2 data. Selected proposers will be invited to spend one or a few months with the PI teams to obtain expert knowledge on the instruments and to participate in the daily commanding of SWAP and LYRA. Each guest investigator will get reimbursed for travel, accommodation and living expenses. Details on the PROBA2 Guest Investigator Program can be found here:
http://proba2.oma.be/index.html/community/guest-investigator-program/

PhD Position at UCLH, UCL-Space and Climate Physics

uksp_sec — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:43:37 +0000

From: Sarah Matthews

PhD Position in the analysis of intensive care medicine data and development of a standardised system of data archive and processing.

UCLH, UCL-Space and Climate Physics

Applications are invited for a PhD position at UCL to study the evolution of critically unwell patients, illnesses in the intensive care setting by making use of data analysis and archiving techniques from astrophysics. This is an exciting interdisciplinary project; and the student will work jointly between the UCL Space and Climate Physics Department and University College London Hospital. Innovative and creative candidates are sought with backgrounds in physics, mathematics, computer science or medicine.

Applications should be made to UCL-Space and Climate Physics at http://www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/www_phd/apply_gen_mod.html. Any queries on the thesis topic should be addressed to Dr. Kevin Fong (kevinjfong@gmail.com) or Prof. Louise Harra (lkh@mssl.ucl.ac.uk). Queries regarding the application should be address to Jane Salton (pjs@mssl.ucl.ac.uk).

Two Lectureships in Astrophysics, University of Birmingham (UK)

uksp_sec — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:34:30 +0000

From: Bill Chaplin – wjc@bison.ph.bham.ac.uk

Two Lectureships in Astrophysics, University of Birmingham
http://tiny.cc/v63f7

Two tenured academic posts at the Lecturer level, or exceptionally at a higher level, are available at the University of Birmingham as part of the second phase of the Midlands Physics Alliance, a HEFCE-funded initiative which supports collaborative research and graduate teaching across the neighbouring universities of Birmingham, Nottingham and Warwick.

These appointments will build on the existing active research teams at Birmingham working in the fields of asteroseismology, extragalactic astrophysics, and gravitational wave physics and astronomy. Informal enquiries relating to the asteroseismology area may be made to Professor Yvonne Elsworth (email: ype@bison.ph.bham.ac.uk), and in the areas of extragalactic astrophysics and gravitational waves to Professor Trevor Ponman (email: tjp@star.sr.bham.ac.uk).

Further details of the posts, together with information on application procedures, can be found via http://www.hr.bham.ac.uk/jobs/. Please include a CV and a statement of your research and teaching interests with your application, and quote post numbers 43538. The closing date for applications is June 15th.

Direct link to the application page (“Apply” button on bottom LHS):http://tiny.cc/v63f7

New online magazine – ‘Solar Observer’

uksp_ch — Fri, 07 May 2010 11:46:57 +0000

There is a new online popular magazine on Solar Astronomy, written by amateurs and professionals. See http://solar-observer.com/ for the web page. We’d like to encourage UKSP members to support the magazine by suggesting and writing articles.

Two Lectureships in Astrophysics, University of Birmingham (UK)

uksp_ch — Fri, 07 May 2010 11:14:06 +0000

Further details of the posts, together with information on application procedures, can be found via http://www.hr.bham.ac.uk/jobs/.

Please include a CV and a statement of your research and teaching interests with your application, and quote post numbers 43538. The closing date for applications is June 15th.

Direct link to the application page (“Apply” button on bottom LHS):

http://tiny.cc/v63f7

Further details:

http://www.download.bham.ac.uk/vacancies/jd/43538.pdf

PhD Positions in Oslo

uksp_ch — Sun, 02 May 2010 09:56:56 +0000

At the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo, we presently have available the following two positions in solar physics (please inform any good candidates you know!):

1) A fellowship for a Ph.D. student for 4 years in solar physics. The selected candidate is required to spend 25% of her/his time on teaching or other obligations. The Ph.D. student must start her/his studies at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics before 1st October, 2010. Application deadline: 15th May, 2010. For further information and application procedure, see http://uio.easycruit.com/vacancy/400984/64278?iso=no

2) A postdoctoral research fellowship for 3 years within either solar physics or cosmology. The selected candidate must start in the position before 1st October, 2010. Application deadline: 31st May. For further information and application procedure, see the following link: http://www.admin.uio.no/opa/ledige-stillinger/2010/vitenskapelige/postdoctoralresearchfellowAstrophysics-2010-4502.html

Best regards,

Mats Carlsson

Leaders answer question on science funding!

uksp_sec — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:44:59 +0000

From: Colin Forsyth

Dear all,

Thanks to your efforts, the three main party leaders have answered the question posed online about science funding in the Digital Debate. The videos can be seen at www.youtuce.com/ukelection under the Miscellaneous heading (click on “Science funding” just under the tabs for the five different topics).

Thanks to all those who voted and got family and friends to join in as well. Hopefully this will help convince the leaders that science funding is an important issue not just to the science community, but to the wider community also.

Best regards,

Colin

————————————–
Dr. Colin Forsyth
Research Associate
Space Plasma Group
Mullard Space Science Lab, UCL

Tel: +44 1483 204 266
Email: mailto:cfo@mssl.ucl.ac.uk

http://www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/~cfo [www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk]
————————————–

Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Solar and Heliospheric Physics – UCLan

uksp_sec — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:41:39 +0000

From: Silvia Dalla

sdalla@uclan.ac.uk

Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Solar and Heliospheric Physics – UCLan

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

Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Solar and Heliospheric Physics

Jeremiah Horrocks Institute, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

3 year limited term

Salary: Grade G: 27319 to 31671

Closing date: 28th May 2010

Applications are invited for a 3-year Post-Doctoral Research Associate post in Solar and Heliospheric Physics, funded by STFC, to carry out research on the acceleration and propagation of Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs), working with Dr Silvia Dalla. The post holder will develop models of SEP energisation and of their interaction with turbulence in interplanetary space, and will implement numerical simulations. The project will make use of the High Performance Computing facilities at the University of Central Lancashire. Candidates should hold a PhD in a relevant subject (e.g.solar, heliospheric or solar-terrestrial physics, plasma physics, astrophysics) and preferably have experience of modelling in the heliophysics context. Skills in scientific computing in a Linux/Unix environment
are essential. The Jeremiah Horrocks Institute fosters research in solar physics and stellar and extragalactic astrophysics (see www.star.uclan.ac.uk). Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Silvia Dalla. An application form and further details are available at www.uclan.ac.uk/jobs

New EIS science nugget announcement

uksp_sec — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:38:15 +0000

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

New EIS science nugget announcement

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

The nugget looks at some interesting pre-flare activity seen in an active region undergoing new flux emergence.

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

Next month’s nugget is entitled “Velocity Characteristics of Evaporated Plasma” by Ryan Milligan.

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.

RAS Council Elections – reminder to vote.

uksp_sec — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:33:21 +0000

From: Editors

RAS Council Elections – reminder to vote.

Please note that the deadline for the RAS Council Elections is 12 noon, on the 13th May 2010 for electronic votes.

Please vote and ensure that the UKSP community have representation on the RAS Council.

Editors

International ph.d. students to IFA

uksp_sec — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:23:07 +0000

From: karoff@bison.ph.bham.ac.uk

To IFA’s VIP’s and Students.

Yesterday we circulated the information about Lindhard scholarships. Now we have a suitable address to use when you encourage your network to help. I include that in the sketch below. But I hope you add your peronal
appeal. This will make a difference.

Aksel

—————

Dear NN

The department of Physics and Astronomy at Aarhus University wishes to recruit talented students with a bachelor degree for a fully financed Phd-education. As a first step, we invite applications for a financed study
in Aarhus for half a year, and followed by the possibility of direct continuation into a full PhD-program for those best qualified.

The announcement, which has a very tight deadline, can be found on:

http://www.phys.au.dk/Lindhard.Scholar/

I would therefore very much appreciate if you would give this information to the, recently graduated or soon to be, bachelors at your institute. I also see this as a way to initiate or strengthen the collaboration between
our groups.

I sincerely hope to get applications from your institution.

The announcement and the application form can also be found by following the link:

https://ssl1.peoplexs.com/Peoplexs22/CandidatesPortalNoLogin/Vacancy.cfm?Por
talID=2547&VacatureID=84943

RHESSI Science Nugget

uksp_sec — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:19:11 +0000

From: Hugh Hudson hhudson@ssl.berkeley.edu

RHESSI Science Nugget

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

“An Alternative View of the Masuda Flare,” by Nariaki Nitta

—-

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

“History of Solar Oblateness” by Hugh Hudson and Jean-Pierre Rozelet:

RHESSI is contributing to an historically interesting and fundamental
measurement.

UKSP Business Lunch

uksp_sec — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:38:00 +0000

From: Editors

UKSP Business Lunch

The UKSP Business Lunch will take place between 12.30-2pm on Thursday 15th April in the Senate Room of the University of Glasgow.

The UKSP council requests that anyone who has an item for the agenda to email lyndsay@astro.gla.ac.uk and duncan@mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk with the details. During the meeting an update of UKSP activities over the last year will be given.

Research Assistant Position – University of St Andrews

uksp_sec — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:22:46 +0000

From: Ineke De Moortel – ineke@mcs.st-and.ac.uk

Research Assistant Position – University of St Andrews

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/employment/Code,50070,en.html

Research Assistant (SK170/10)

Closing date: 03 May 2010

£24,273 – £28,983 per annum*

The Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group has an opening for a Research Assistant to work on coronal seismology and/or MHD wave propagation in the solar atmosphere. The project is funded by an STFC Rolling Grant and will be led by Dr I De Moortel and Prof B Roberts, in collaboration with Prof A Hood and Dr A Wright. You will use mainly established analytical and numerical methods. Experience with running and analysing large-scale numerical simulations on parallel computers and analysing observational data is desirable. You should have recently completed or expect to obtain shortly a PhD in solar physics or a closely related subject.

This post is initially for a term of 2 years. The start date will be 1 October 2010 or as soon as possible thereafter.

* Applications will be considered from candidates with more experience/knowledge of the area for appointment on Grade 6, salary range £29,853-£35,646 per annum, with the duties to be agreed and altered accordingly.

Informal enquiries to Dr Ineke De Moortel, Tel: 01334 463757 or email: ineke@mcs.st-and.ac.uk

The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland (NO SC013532)

Research Associate in Solar Physics – University of Sheffield

uksp_sec — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:50:59 +0000

From: Robertus von Fay-Siebenburgen

Research Associate in Solar Physics
University of Sheffield – Dept of Applied Mathematics

Ref: UOS000990

Contract Type: Fixed- term from 1st May 2010 to 30th April 2012.

Salary: Grade 7 £28,138 to £30,747 per annum

Closing Date: 27th April 2010

Summary:

The post-holder will undertake research into solar atmosphere physics with Professors Misha Ruderman and Robertus Erdelyi (von Fay-Siebenburgen) and other members of the Solar Physics and Wave Theory Group (SWAT), Solar Physics and Space Plasma Research Centre (SP2RC). The post holder will emphasise leadership of research into transverse MHD waves and oscillations in solar and solar-terrestrial plasma, in particular, their role in solar atmospheric (coronal) plasmas. Candidates must have a PhD or equivalent (or equivalent experience) and demonstrable experience of research in solar physics, space plasma MHD, astrophysics or a related field. The postholder will possess excellent theoretical and/or a high standard of computational MHD skills, and knowledge of IDL is desirable. This post is available from 1 May 2010 for two years.

Please note that interviews for this post will be held on 30 April 2010.

For informal enquiry please contact Professor R von Fay-Siebenburgen: email robertus [at] sheffield.ac.uk [sheffield.ac.uk]

New RHESSI Science Nugget

uksp_sec — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:22:54 +0000

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

New RHESSI Science Nugget

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/Particle_Acceleration_du
e_to_a_Plasmoid-Looptop_Collision

RHESSI Science Nugget No. 124: “Particle Acceleration due to a Plasmoid-Looptop Collision,” by Ryan Milligan

Research Assistant Position – University of St Andrews

uksp_sec — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:21:01 +0000

From: Ineke De Moortel – ineke@mcs.st-and.ac.uk

Research Assistant Position – University of St Andrews

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/employment/Code,49662,en.html

Research Assistant (JC164/10)

Closing date: 26 April 2010

£24,273 – £27,319 per annum

The Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group has an opening for a Research Assistant to work on modelling of MHD wave processes in the solar atmosphere. The project will be led by Dr I De Moortel and funded by the Leverhulme Trust. You will use mainly established analytical and numerical methods. Experience with running and analysing large-scale numerical simulations on parallel computers is highly desirable. Experience analysing observational data is desirable but not essential. You should have recently completed or expect to obtain shortly a PhD in solar physics or a closely related subject.

This post is for a fixed term of up to 2 years. The start date is negotiable but would have to be BEFORE 1 November 2010.

Informal enquiries to Dr Ineke De Moortel, Tel: 01334 463757 or email: ineke@mcs.st-and.ac.uk.

The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland (No SC013532)

New EIS science nugget

uksp_sec — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:18:43 +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 enhanced non-thermal velocities seen along the boundary between a quiet sun region and a coronal hole. Is this an indicator that interchange reconnection is taking place?

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

Next month’s nugget is entitled “EIS observationns of a pre-flare activity”.

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.

SolarNews Items of Interest – http://solarnews.nso.edu/2010/20100324.txt

uksp_sec — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:55:10 +0000

SolarNews Items of Interest

http://solarnews.nso.edu/2010/20100324.txt

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) Budgets for 2010 and 2011
SH02: Extreme Energetic Particle Events from the Sun
Joint SPA – Atmospheric Sciences Session
Space Weather Workshop Announcement

New RHESSI Science Nugget

uksp_sec — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:41:34 +0000

From: Hugh Hudson hhudson@ssl.berkeley.edu

New RHESSI Science Nugget

http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/Waiting_Times_of_Solar_Hard_X-Ray_Flares

“Waiting Times of Solar Hard X-Ray Flares” by Markus Aschwanden and Jim McTiernan

Challenge Led Applied Systems Panel (CLASP) medical call

uksp_sec — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:39:14 +0000

From: Melanie.Illsley@stfc.ac.uk

CLASP Challenge Led Knowledge Exchange call to meet Challenges in the Medical Sector

STFC is building on Challenge-led activities to maximize Knowledge Exchange (KE) and Impact.

The concept of developing technology demonstrators and industry-ready prototype systems is at the heart of this scheme and is aimed at de-risking the R&D process for industry. It is intended that industry representatives will be involved in all aspects of the scheme from proposal selection to product decision making.

Outline proposals are invited through JeS, from within STFC research community which can provide a solution to one of the many challenges associated with the Medical Sector and for which there would be a demonstrable potential market. It would be expected that any IP generated would reside with the host institution.

The closing date for Outline proposals is 16:00 on 27th April 2010.

This should be two pages maximum and contain:

* Technical outline – explain the technical background to the proposal and its link with STFC funded research.

* Impact to Medical Sector – describe the ultimate goal of the project and detail the way in which development of this technology will address the sectorial challenge identified as relevant to your proposal.

* Timescale and outline work plan – Use this section to describe briefly the steps that will be taken to develop the technology in the course of the project. Include in this the justification for any collaborations (with experts external to the main proposers) that you will develop in the course of the project to support the work.

Proposals should aim to take advantage of the existing effort and skills within the STFC research community, but may include collaborations with other research groups, industry or end users. They will be assessed, in confidence, by a Steering Group with representatives from industry, academia and other stakeholder organizations for relevance to the sectors identified, technological feasibility and the potential for Knowledge Exchange.

Following the assessment of Outline proposals, shortlisted applicants will be invited to develop full proposals with assistance and advice from STFC Innovations staff and panel members. The closing date for full applications will be 16:00 on 8th July 2010. Applicants will be invited to present their final proposals to the Steering Group for consideration in early September. The anticipated start date for successful proposals will be October 2010.

The total funds available for this call will be approximately ?1.5M. It is expected that this will fund a small number of projects ranging from short feasibility studies to larger developmental projects against key milestones, in the case of the latter this may lead to funding being awarded against initial stages only in the first instance.

Membership

All CLASP Panel members have signed standard STFC Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). If applicants require a higher level of confidentiality then please clearly indicate this when you submit your Outline Application.

Chair

* Prof Jenny Thomas – STFC Science Board

Panel

* Dr Tim Bestwick – STFC Director of Innovations
* Dr Trevor Cross – e2v
* Mr. Chris Dorn – QinetiQ
* Dr Bryan Edwards ? STFC Futures Security Champion
* Dr Catherine Ewart- STFC Head of Futures Programme
* Dr Dick Lacey – Home Office
* Prof Dewi Lewis – GE Healthcare
* Dr Val O’Shea – University of Glasgow

Secretary

* Mrs Penny Woodman – Head of External Programmes, STFC

Dr Helen Mason named as one of the UK’s outstanding women

uksp_sec — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:28:03 +0000

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

Dr Helen Mason named as one of the UK’s outstanding women

http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1722 Itemid=1

Congratulations to Helen Mason who has been named as one of the Women of Outstanding Achievement of 2010 in recognition of her inspirational work in communication within Science, Engineering and Technology.