Recent News Summary

General News/UKSP Business

Nuggets

Meetings/Workshops/Summer Schools

Jobs/Studentships

General News/UKSP Business

  • Please add new colleagues to the UKSP mailing list
    Dear Colleagues, As we enter the new academic year, many of us will welcome new PhD students and other colleagues into our solar groups. Please pass this message onto new group members, and please ask them to sign up for the UKSP mailing list using: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/uksp (click on “Subscribe” to join the mailing list). More information about UKSP can be found on our website: https://www.uksolphys.org Recent news items: https://www.uksolphys.org/news/recent-news-summary/ Current UKSP council members: https://www.uksolphys.org/about-uksp/ Kind regards, Natasha Jeffrey, on behalf of the UKSP Council
  • Commons SIT Committee Inquiry into UK Astronomy – RAS Submission Deadline of September 27
    Dear Colleagues, The Commons SIT Committee has announced an inquiry into UK Astronomy with a deadline of October 27. https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/3238/ However, the RAS are collating information for their own submission, and if you would like your points to be included within that submission, please email Robert Massey (rmassey@ras.ac.uk) directly by September 27 (we apologise for the short deadline). However, if you miss this, information can still be submitted by individuals until October 27. Kind regards, UKSP Council
  • Future of UK Solar Physics Meetings: Community Questionnaire
    Dear Colleagues, We have created a questionnaire to help determine the best way for our solar community to meet and share our results in the future. The short questionnaire can be found here: https://forms.gle/GfnTkU529Zm5juXd6 All responses are anonymous. Please complete the questionnaire by October 1st. Thank you for your help. Kind regards, UKSP Council
  • Recruiting Maintainers for a Magnetic Field Extrapolation Package
    The SunPy Project is looking for new community members to become maintainers of a new magnetic field extrapolation package. SunPy will provide mentorship in how to maintain a SunPy package. Ideally anyone interested in the role would be familiar with the magnetic extrapolation algorithms. If you are interested in taking on this role please comment on the SunPy discourse. More details The pfsspy project has recently been archived by David Stansby, it’s lead author and maintainer. We want to thank him for his work on pfsspy and a variety of other heliophysics Python projects. The pfsspy package is now widely used throughout the solar physics community for computing potential field extrapolations, including in several high-profile publications. Given its wide usage, the SunPy Project believes it is important to continue to provide this functionality within the SunPy ecosystem to ensure it’s longevity. To that end we are creating a new package within the SunPy ecosystem which, initially, will be a fork of the pfsspy package. In the longer term, this package may expand to cover other extrapolation techniques the community has an interest in contributing. To achieve this, we need someone who can bring some expertise on magnetic field extrapolation algorithms and who has time to dedicate to creating and maintaining this package. The SunPy Project will provide the required package infrastructure and mentorship on package maintenance for anyone interested. Additionally, this new package will be housed under the SunPy organization on GitHub, similar to existing affiliated packages maintained by the Project. If you are interested in becoming a maintainer or have more questions, please post on the SunPy discourse thread linked here, or email me.
  • Astronomy Large Awards – Expression of Interest
    Dear Colleagues Please be advised we are now accepting expressions of interest for the astronomy large awards scheme. All details, guidance and contact information can be found on the funding funder page here: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/astronomy-large-awards/ The deadline for expression of interests is Tuesday 31st October by 4pm. Applications (by email) received after this time will not be accepted. Applications found not to have followed the guidance and process detailed in the link above will not be considered. Kind regards The Astronomy Awards Team

Nuggets

  • RHESSI Nuggets in Summer 2023
    http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/RHESSI_Science_Nuggets No. 450, “Solar flare hard X-rays from the anchor points of an eruptive filament ,” by Muriel STIEFEL: A rare “four-ribbon” flare has been detected in hard X-rays. No. 451, “Statistical study of Type III bursts and associated HXR emissions,” by Nicole VILMER and Tomin JAMES: Linking electron populations escaping from the Sun with those that RHESSI detects. No. 452, “Spatial Distribution of Magnetic Reconnection Rate in an M6.5 Solar Flare,” by Ju JING: Linking hard X-rays to high-resolution images that show reconnection rates. No. 453, “Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Hard X-Ray Sources in Flare Model with Vertical Current Sheet,” by Alexander SHABALIN, Eugenia OVCHINNIKOVA, and Yuri CHARIKOV: Modeling betatron acceleration in current-sheet development. No. 454, “TeV Gamma rays from the Quiescent Sun,” by Mehr Un NISA and John Beacom: Solar photons at unprecedented high energies. No. 455, “Introducing SunSketcher,” by Hugh HUDSON and Gordon EMSLIE: Galloping towards roundup in the 2024 total solar eclipse. We welcome almost any contribution to the RHESSI Nuggets. The topic may wander some distance away from specifically RHESSI results if it is generally interesting. See http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/~tohban/wiki/index.php/RHESSI_Science_Nuggets for these and others. Comments about specific flares can often be found by searching for their SOLyyyy-mm-dd identifier from this home page.
  • New UKSP Nugget #131
    131. Swirls in the solar corona. Magnetic funnels transport energy into the solar corona. https://www.uksolphys.org/uksp-nugget/131-swirls-in-the-solar-corona/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UKSP Nuggets are published on a monthly basis highlighting solar physics research led from the UK. https://www.uksolphys.org/uksp-nuggets/ Peter Wyper and Rahul Sharma ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  • Solar Orbiter science nuggets (Summer releases)
    It is our pleasure to share new Solar Orbiter science nuggets (Summer releases): https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/solar-orbiter/science-nuggets SO Nugget #13 “Solar flare hard X-rays from the anchor points of an eruptive filament” (M. Z. Stiefel and the STIX team) SO Nugget #14 “A sharp EUI & SPICE look into the EUV variability and fine-scale structure associated with coronal rain” (P. Antolin) As a reminder, new nuggets will be added on a regular basis, based on input from the entire solar physics community. If you are working on Solar Orbiter data and would like your results to be featured, please contact Yannis Zouganelis (ioannis.zouganelis@esa.int) and Miho Janvier (miho.janvier@esa.int). — The ESA Solar Orbiter team
  • Solar radio science nuggets in July
    Recent solar radio science nuggets: Data-constrained Solar Modeling with GX Simulator by G. Nita et al https://www.astro.gla.ac.uk/users/eduard/cesra/?p=3579 Imaging preflare broadband pulsations in the decimetric-metric wavelengths by Lv et al https://www.astro.gla.ac.uk/users/eduard/cesra/?p=3562 The Highlight of Solar Radio Physics or CESRA Nugget allows you to publish fresh research to keep CESRA community informed and up-to-date. These are short communications written in the language accessible to a non-expert in the specific area. The CESRA highlights can be followed/discussed etc at http://twitter.com/CESRA_community and http://www.facebook.com/solarcesra/
  • Hinode/EIS nugget
    Dear all, We are pleased to announce a new Hinode/EIS nugget by Dr Andy To -‘Understanding the Relationship between Solar Coronal Abundances and F10.7 cm Radio Emission’. It is located here: https://solarb.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/SolarB/nuggets/nugget_2023july.jsp Previous nuggets are here: https://solarb.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/SolarB/eisnuggets.jsp We encourage contributions from the community. If you would like to contribute a nugget related to Hinode/EIS then please contact deborah dot baker at ucl dot ac dot uk. Best wishes, Deb Baker

Meetings/Workshops/Summer Schools

Jobs/Studentships

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate position: Ensemble Modelling of Solar Eruptions, University of Newcastle (Australia)
    Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate position at the University of Newcastle, Australia. The successful applicant will use theory, data analysis, and computation to improve our ability to model the dynamical evolution of solar active regions, which are responsible for solar activity including solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Flares and CMEs are the most energetic events in the solar system and can create hazardous conditions in our local space environment. This project involves: developing a predictive capability for the evolution of the Sun’s surface magnetic field, using physical models, machine learning and observational data; creating ensemble data-driven simulations of active regions in the Sun’s atmosphere; applying the ensemble modelling to predict solar eruptions from first principles, and forecasting their physical properties. The project is funded by the Australian Research Council through a grant on “Ensemble Modelling of Space Weather Drivers”. The successful applicant will work within a research team that includes A/Prof David Pontin and Dr Hannah Schunker (Univ. Newcastle), Prof Michael Wheatland (Univ. Sydney) and Dr Mark Cheung (CSIRO). As the ideal candidate, you will have a PhD in solar physics, (space) plasma physics, astrophysics, weather/climate modelling, applied mathematics or similar subject. Key responsibilities: – analyse solar data, develop numerical models for coronal magnetic fields, and apply and test the models – collaborate closely with members of the research team and external researchers, and assist students in research projects – undertake domestic and international travel to meet the goals of the project – publish results in high-impact journals – communicate results at local and international meetings. For the full advert and a link to the position description and application procedure, see https://www.livehire.com/careers/universityofnewcastle/job/PMRCY/LTH7HBLGD1/postdoctoral-research-associate The position is available until the end of 2025 in the first instance, with possibility of extension up to three years, and the closing date is the 25th of October (Australian time zone). Enquiries should be directed to David Pontin (David.Pontin@newcastle.edu.au)
  • Two Lecturer in Physics positions at University of Dundee
    Physics at the University of Dundee is looking to appoint two full time Lecturers in Physics. We encourage applications from candidates with strong and developing track records in research that relates to energy and sustainability including but not limited to: renewable energy, energy materials, fusion, sustainable fission technologies, energy harvesting, energy storage, computational modelling and space weather. The positions will also articulate with University of Dundee’s newly formed Binks Sustainability Institute. An aim of the positions is enhance our existing BSc and MSci Physics with Renewable Energy programmes. More information is in the advert found here: Two Lecturer (similar to Assistant Professor) positions in Physics job with University of Dundee | 9958 (physicsworldjobs.com) Closing date is 23rd October. Contact Prof. David Keeble (d.j.keeble@dundee.ac.uk) for more information.
  • Guest Investigator Call: visit the EUI and SWAP/LYRA PI teams in Brussels in 2024
    The EUI and SWAP/LYRA PI teams welcome research proposals for the 2024 round of its Guest Investigator Program for research based on EUI, SWAP or LYRA data analysis by scientists outside the PI teams. Selected proposers will be invited to spend a few weeks with the PI team at the Royal Observatory in Brussels to obtain expert knowledge on the instrument, to participate in the planning of observations according to the needs of their proposal, and to conduct their research. Each Guest Investigator will get reimbursed for travel, accommodation and living expenses. Proposals must be received by November 1, 2023 (23:59 CET) and visits should be scheduled in 2024. Details on the 2024 Guest Investigator Call can be found here: https://www.sidc.be/GuestInvestigator/GI_call_2024.
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Modelling in Solar Astrophysics
    A three-year postdoctoral position is available at the University of Sydney to work on computational modelling of coronal magnetic fields with Mike Wheatland and collaborators. Full job advertisement: https://usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/job/Other-Facilities/Postdoctoral-Research-Associate-in-Computational-Modelling-in-Solar-Astrophysics_0107227-2 This project involves: developing computational methods for data-constrained and data-driven modelling of solar active regions; applying the methods to synthetic and observational data to assess their reliability and for the purpose of modelling; using the methods to develop capabilities for flare and CME prediction. The work will involve collaboration with domestic and international researchers. Visa sponsorship: available Specific expertise in solar: not essential but relevant skills and enthusiasm mandatory Applications close 5 October 2023 For further details contact michael.wheatland@sydney.edu.au
  • Electronics Engineer Position at New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA
    The Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research (CSTR) at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, New Jersey, USA invites applications for an electrical/electronics engineer who will design, operate, and maintain electrical and electronic systems at the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) in California and at NJIT in Newark. CSTR is an international leader in solar terrestrial research, and operates BBSO, the Owens Valley Solar Array in California, and the Polar Engineering Development Center (PEDC). BBSO operates the 2nd largest aperture 1.6-meter Goode Solar Telescope (GST) with a diverse suite of instruments. The GST features a state-of-the-art adaptive optics system, and it is a world-class facility for high spatial and temporal resolution solar astronomy in the visible and near infrared. PEDC develops and operates autonomous, sustainable power systems called Automatic Geophysical Observatories (AGO) to support various scientific instruments in Antarctica. Essential functions include, but are not limited to: 1) Digital and analog electronics design and troubleshooting with telescope dome control, Galil motion controllers, Arduino, PID close loop control systems, and overcurrent protection electronics. 2) Design and maintenance of data acquisition and telemetry over the internet and/or satellite communications networks such as Iridium satellite link. 3) Design and fabrication of a 100-200 W level battery operated power planform with solar panels and wind turbines for deployment to Antarctica. 4) In-person work, alternating between BSSO in California and NJIT in New Jersey. Prerequisite Qualifications: a) Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering or related field. b) An ability to work and live at an elevation of 2000 meters. c) Ability to travel to foreign countries and perform field work in remote locations. d) Ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods of time (approximately 1-2 months). The position is anticipated to start in Spring 2024. The successful applicant will work primarily with Drs. Wenda Cao, Hyomin Kim, and Gareth Perry, as well as the other CSTR faculty members and engineers. The deadline for applications is November 1, 2023. Candidates will need to submit all documents online at https://njit.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/5366?c=njit, including a curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research or work experiences and the names of three professional references. Questions may be directed to Drs. Wenda Cao (wenda.cao@njit.edu) and Hyomin Kim (hmkim@njit.edu). To build a diverse workforce, NJIT encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women. EEO employer.