Recent News Summary

General News/UKSP Business

Nuggets

Meetings/Workshops/Summer Schools

Jobs/Studentships

General News/UKSP Business

  • UKSP Prizes at NAM 2023
    The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) has kindly agreed to sponsor the £50 UKSP prizes again this year. The recipients of these prizes will be offered the opportunity to contribute an article to RAS’s Astronomy & Geophysics (A&G) Magazine about their work. There are two prizes available:
    • Best UKSP ECR Talk: This prize is open to all early career researchers who present their work orally on UKSP-related science at NAM 2023.
    • Best UKSP ECR Poster: This prize is open to all early career researchers who present a poster on UKSP-related science at NAM 2023.
    Best Regards, UKSP Council
  • UKRI Infrastructure Fund Wave 4 Preliminary Activity round – SSAP deadline 10 July 2023
    Dear Colleagues, I’m writing in connection with the UKRI Infrastructure Fund, specifically the Wave 4 Preliminary Activity round that is now live. The Solar System Advisory Panel (SSAP) has been requested by STFC to identify proposals from the solar system community, and submit them for consideration to this call.
    • As a reminder, Preliminary Activities are well formed concepts for a new or upgraded infrastructure or other significant change to an infrastructure, but where spend is required to further develop aspects such as the specification, delivery mechanism or costs, before a detailed business case can be developed. They should have the potential to lead onto the initiation of large capital projects following review/stage gate processes. More information is included in the attached guidance document.
    • Please note that the UKRI Infrastructure Fund does not operate through an open call for proposals. Each of the constituent Councils of UKRI, including STFC, submit a set of prioritised proposals into the process. The process within STFC to solicit these ideas from the community is through STFC advisory structures, namely the Advisory Panels.
    • In order to be considered, please review the two documents ( STFC Guidance and application form), and return the completed application form to jonathan.eastwood@imperial.ac.uk by 10 July 2023. This will give SSAP time to review all the applications and provide a ranked list of the top 3 ideas to STFC by the final deadline of 21 July 2023. As ever, I apologise for the relatively short timescale, but the complexity of the wider review process and the overall timeline means that these deadlines are fixed.
    • It is worth noting that this is intended to be an annual exercise, and so if you are not able to meet the 2023 deadlines you may wish to consider starting now a longer proposal development process targeting the 2024 opportunity. Please let me know if you fall into this category.
    • In making its assessment, SSAP will consider Community Demand for Infrastructure, Alignment with the SSAP Roadmap, and the Research Excellence of the Proposal.
    Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have questions. On behalf of the SSAP, Jonathan Eastwood
  • UKRI Cross Research Council Responsive Mode UKRI Interdisciplinary Assessment College Applications Schemes
    We would like to bring to your attention a couple of exciting opportunities of relevance to the STFC community. UKRI cross research council responsive mode pilot scheme: round 1 We would like to encourage our community to engage in the pilot interdisciplinary Responsive Mode scheme, as we believe the astronomy, physics, computational science and space sciences communities can significantly add skills and knowledge to support interdisciplinary challenges within different sectors. STFC is partnering with UKRI Councils to announce a pilot funding for breakthrough interdisciplinary ideas that transcend, combine or significantly span disciplines. This pilot scheme will support ideas not routinely funded through existing UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) responsive mode schemes. Awards will be potentially transformative for the participating disciplines or lead to the creation of new disciplines. This opportunity opens on the 8th June for outline applications, with a webinar taking place on the 13th and 22nd of June, Please find more information here: UKRI cross research council responsive mode pilot scheme: round 1 – UKRI UKRI Interdisciplinary Assessment College applications We would like our community to consider engaging in the peer review process, therefore we would like to highlight the opportunity to apply for the new Interdisciplinary Assessment College to support the new cross research council responsive mode pilot scheme. Applications are open to everyone with experience of interdisciplinary research, from academic and non-academic backgrounds (including business, public and third sector organisations), and from across the diverse range of roles needed for successful research (for example, technicians and professional services). Colleagues from early, mid and late career stages are welcome to apply. The closing date for the Interdisciplinary Assessment College is the 20th June 2023, Please find more information here: UKRI Interdisciplinary Assessment College – UKRI For any enquiries to the above opportunities please contact the UKRI interdisciplinary Responsive Mode team at ukrirm@ukri.org
  • The Space to Innovate Campaign – Charlie Drop Competition, is now open.
    This Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition aims to attract novel scientific and technological solutions from a broad range of innovators, including academia and industry, in order to address some of the UK’s Defence and Security space challenges. The objective of this campaign is to fund research into space science and technologies that may not otherwise be developed within the civil space industry and academia. This will address a set of specific problems in the space domain, as outlined in the campaign challenges. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/competition-space-to-innovate-campaign-charlie-drop/space-to-innovate-campaign-charlie-drop-competition-document This competition has three challenges. The following contracts are available across all challenges: – up to £125,000 (excl VAT) for 6 (six) months – up to £200,000 (excl VAT) for 12 (twelve) months – up to £400,000 (excl VAT) for 18 (eighteen) months – up to £500,000 (excl VAT) for 24 (twenty four) months Projects are expected to reach TRL 3-6 at the end of the contract. This depends on the starting TRL and level and duration of investment. Over the last two years, the publication of the Defence Space Strategy, the establishment of UK Space Command, a generational Defence investment in space in the integrated review (IR), and the re-emphasis of the central role of science and technology (S&T) in the IR refresh, have brought fresh impetus to the role of S&T innovation. Space to Innovate: Charlie Drop, is centred on three space challenges. These challenges are explicitly linked to both Space Command’s strategic priorities, as set out in the strategy, and the Ministry of Defence Chief Scientific Advisor’s requirement to pursue generation after next science, technologies and innovations for the domain. The £1.5 million (excl VAT) available for the Charlie Drop competition is funded by MOD Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA). We expect to fund between 3 and 12 proposals over a 24 month period. Other funding from other MOD or wider government stakeholders may become available over time; if so, this will be reflected in a revised version of the competition document. Proposals from Charlie Drop that are deemed to be ‘fundable not funded’ will be available for funding by any UK government stakeholder up to one year after the outcome decision is released to bidders. Follow-on work will be considered on its own individual merits and is not subject to further DASA competition processes. The submission deadline is 12.00 BST Midday on Wednesday 12 July 2023. Dr Gemma Attrill FInstP, CPhys, MPhys Dstl Space Systems Programme – Lead Scientist Space Science Project Technical Authority Chief Scientist Space Weather Space Group Cyber & Information Systems Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ, UK +44 (0)1980 957494 | gdrattrill@dstl.gov.uk
  • St Andrews Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group Website – URL Change
    Due to having been moved to the University of St Andrews WordPress server, the URL for the website of the Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group has changed to https://solar-mcs.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/.

Nuggets

  • Solar Orbiter science nuggets (May releases)
    It is our pleasure to share new Solar Orbiter science nuggets (May releases): https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/solar-orbiter/science-nuggets SO Nugget #7 “Measuring the nascent solar wind outflow velocities via the doppler dimming technique” (D. Spadaro, D. Telloni and the METIS team) SO Nugget #8 “High-resolution imaging of coronal mass ejections from SoloHI” (P. Hess and the SoloHI team) SO Nugget #9 “Direct assessment of far-side helioseismology using SO/PHI magnetograms” (D. Yan and the SO/PHI team) SO Nugget #10 “An interesting interplanetary shock” (D. Trotta and the MAG team) 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
  • New UKSP Nugget #128
    128. Self-generated Turbulent Reconnection The latest models of magnetic reconnection are fast, triggered and fully 3D. https://www.uksolphys.org/uksp-nugget/128-self-generated-turbulent-reconnection/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  • New Solar Orbiter science nuggets
    It is our pleasure to introduce new Solar Orbiter science nuggets: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/solar-orbiter/science-nuggets SO Nugget #4 “Multi-scale structure and composition of ICME prominence material from the Solar Wind Analyser suite” (R. Dewey and the SWA team) SO Nugget #5 “Hot X-ray onset observations in solar flares with Solar Orbiter/STIX” (A. F. Battaglia and the STIX team) SO Nugget #6 “Imaging and spectroscopic observations of extreme-ultraviolet brightenings using EUI and SPICE on board Solar Orbiter” (Z. Huang and the SPICE and EUI teams) 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
  • RHESSI Nuggets in March and April 2023
    No. 446, “A Glasgow geomagnetic observation of a solar flare”, by Hugh HUDSON, John MALONE-LEIGH, Graham WOAN, and Chris OSBORNE. Applying a multi-messenger tool first seen in 1859, the geomagnetic “crochet”. No. 447, “RHESSI’s Rhe-entry,” by Pascal SAINT-HILAIRE, Albert SHIH, and Hugh HUDSON. RHESSI’s final demise in the Sahara Desert. No. 448, “Diagnostics of Spatially-Extended Turbulent Acceleration and Transport,” by Morgan STORES. Drilling down into the detailed structure of solar-flare energy release by including turbulence with particle acceleration. No. 449, “Did a Solar Flare Accelerate all the Ambient Electrons in the Coronal Acceleration Region?” by Gordon EMSLIE, Eduard KONTAR, Galina MOTORINA, and Brian DENNIS. Considering SOL2017-09-10, probably not. 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.
  • CESRA Solar Radio Science Nuggets in April
    Solar Radio Spikes and Type IIIb Striae Manifestations Triggered by a Coronal Mass Ejection by Clarkson et al.: https://www.astro.gla.ac.uk/users/eduard/cesra/?p=3521 Temporal and Spatial Association Between Microwaves and Type III Bursts in the Upper Corona by Altyntsev et al.: https://www.astro.gla.ac.uk/users/eduard/cesra/?p=3509

Meetings/Workshops/Summer Schools

  • ESWW Session SWR-02 – Call for Abstracts
    Dear all, The call for abstracts for European Space Weather Week 2023 (ESWW23) is now open & we are inviting contributions to the SWR-02 parallel session on Coronal Mass Ejections and Solar Energetic Particles. ESWW23 will this year be held in Toulouse, France between the 20th and 24th November. Details about the conference can be found here (https://esww2023.org/) and about session SWR-02 including an abstract here (https://esww2023.org/parallel-session-description#1684225973646-82ea600b-71c2). To submit an abstract to SWR-02 or other sessions, follow this link: https://esww2023.org/submit-an-abstract. The call is open now and closed promptly for oral presentation submissions on 29th June and for poster presentations on 10th September. We look forward to hearing your proposed presentations in Toulouse later this year! All the best, Simon Thomas, Steph Yardley & Immanuel Jeba Raj.
  • ESWW Parallel Session “Solar Activity and Eruptions as Origins of Space Weather”
    We invite the community to the Parallel Session “Solar Activity and Eruptions as Origins of Space Weather” at the 19th European Space Weather Week (ESWW) that will take place in Toulouse, France between 20-24 November 2023. This session aims at bringing together observers and theoreticians investigating the solar sources responsible for space weather effects, as well as the variations of space weather due to solar activity modulation. We look forward to contributions on: – the advancements of global, data driven magnetic field models of the corona, on their impacts on the global magnetic field topology and on the magnetic field connectivity between the Sun and planets or spacecraft; – the sources and formation mechanisms of different solar wind flows, driving stream interacting regions and small transients; – the conditions and physical processes for triggering flares and other CME sources; – radiative processes and diagnostics of flares and their impact on space weather; For more informations on the session Solar Activity and Eruptions as Origins of Space Weather, please follow the link https://esww2023.org/parallel-session-description For further details on the European Space Weather Week 19, please check the website of the conference https://esww2023.org/ The abstract submission is now open and the deadline for oral presentation is 29th June 2023. The deadline for submitting an abstract for a poster presentation is the 10th of September 2023. With kind regards, Iulia Chifu, Rui F. Pinto, Paulo Simões
  • Hinode-16/IRIS-13@Niigata, 25-29/09/2023
    Hinode-16/IRIS-13 Conference, September 25-29, 2023: The 6th NAOJ Symposium Hinode-16/IRIS-13″ to be held September 25-29, 2023 at Toki Messe Niigata Convention Center, Niigata, Japan. Abstract submission and travel support The site for abstract submission and travel support application is now open. The deadline for both is July 1, 2023. We appreciate SPD Metcalf Travel Award and NAOJ Symposium for supporting the travel expenses. Registration Registration is also open. The registration fee is In-person: 35,000 JPY On-line: 5,000 JPY Please be reminded that both oral and poster presenters are required to attend the meeting on-site. The deadline is August 1, 2023. Important dates 1 July 2023: Deadline for abstract submission & Travel support application 1 August 2023: Deadline for registration 25-29 September 2023: Meeting -Webpage For further information including the conference banquet and excursions, visit https://hinode.nao.ac.jp/hinode16_iris13/
  • Reminder of deadlines for NAM2023
    Dear Colleagues, Just a reminder that the deadlines for registration for NAM2023 are fast approaching. June 5th is the deadline for those who are giving a talk or poster and June 16th is the deadline for general registration. To register, go to the conference website https://nam2023.org. This year we have six parallel sessions, three two-day conferences within NAM on the theme of origins, a large outreach program (public talks, art competition, outreach evening), as well as many social events. You can view the full session program here: https://nam2023.org/science/parallel-sessions You can view the full session program here: https://nam2023.org/science/parallel-sessions Abstracts should be submitted on-line here: https://nam2023.org/science/abstract-submission
  • 2023 SDO/EVE Science Team Meeting
    This is the first announcement for the 2023 Solar Dynamics Observatory Extreme Ultraviolet Experiment (SDO/EVE) Science Team Meeting. This meeting will focus on recent science results from solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectral irradiance measurements and models. Location: University of Colorado, Boulder East Campus at the LASP Space Science Building (SPSC). 3665 Discovery Drive, Boulder, CO 80303 Dates: July 25-27. Starting at 9am MT on July 25 and ending at noon MT on July 27. Registration Form: https://forms.gle/nZaZcf9T2ayC2DYm9 Title and Abstract Submission Form: https://forms.gle/p4Q7HWW3xBVoSQkA7 Deadlines: For consideration for Oral Talk or Poster: June 16 For in-person attendance (no talk/poster): July 4 Ryan Milligan (on behalf of Phil Chamberlin and Tom Woods)

Jobs/Studentships

  • Lecturer in Solar Physics
    University College London, Department of Space & Climate Physics, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Dorking, RH5 6NT The Solar Physics group is a highly experienced group within UCL’s Department of Space and Climate Physics of which the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) is part) at the forefront of solar physics research in the UK. For over 5 decades we have played a leading role in international space missions and are currently the PI group for the EIS (EUV Imaging Spectrometer) instrument on Hinode, and Co-PI on the EUI (EUV Imager) instrument onboard Solar Orbiter. We have additional roles leading the development of the short wavelength camera for Solar C EUVST and complementary interests in the development activities for the European Solar Telescope (EST) and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). Our research activities focus on the evolution of the solar magnetic field, its role in driving solar activity, and the subsequent energy release and transport processes that underpin space weather. Our team includes three academics, two research associates and six PhD students. About the role We now have an opportunity for a new lecturer in Solar Physics to join our team. Applicants should have a strong background in solar physics (e.g., data analysis, modelling, simulations), and a desire to lead a research portfolio that complements the current activities of the group. An interest in supporting the development of new instrumentation for space missions is highly desirable, and the successful applicant will be expected to contribute actively to existing development projects as well as to lead new ones. The successful applicant will also be expected to contribute to the departmental teaching portfolio, including the supervision of research students and Masters’ level projects, and expected and encouraged to participate in wider group and departmental scientific activities. Space mission consortia are multi-national, and the Solar Physics group has strong international research collaborations so the post-holder will be expected to travel both in support of mission and instrument development and to present their work at relevant national and international conferences and workshops. The salary range for this post is £46,414 to £54,841 per annum (including Fringe London Allowance of £2,100). From 1st August 2023 the Department will be entitled to full London Allowance. About you The successful candidate is expected to have expertise and experience in solar physics, including a demonstrable, active research profile at a national level and have the willingness and ability to work both independently but also collaboratively. The postholder will be required to supervise academic work by PhD and MSc students. To apply and for further details and job description go to https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs/details?jobId=10333&jobTitle=Lecturer%20in%20Solar%20Physics Closing date: 30 June 2023
  • Applying for Ernest Rutherford (STFC) Fellowship to be hosted at the University of Exeter
    If you would like to apply for the STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship to be hosted in the Centre for Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics (CGAFD) at the University of Exeter our internal sift of potential applicants is open with application deadline of 17th July 2023, 16:00. The Ernest Rutherford Fellowship scheme is intended for early career researchers who do not have a permanent academic position. The aim of the scheme is to support future scientific leaders to establish a strong, independent research programme. Candidates interested in applying to be hosted by the CGAFD group should contact the selection panel Chair, Andrew Hillier (A.S.Hillier@exeter.ac.uk), who will provide you with the CV and pro-forma templates for the internal sift, or answer any informal questions.
  • PDRA position (18 months) in Solar or Magnetospheric Theory
    The Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group at the University of St Andrews is advertising a PDRA position in solar and/or magnetospheric theory (application deadline 19 June 2023). The post is funded by STFC for 18 months. Details can be found on the University of St Andrews Vacancies webpage: https://www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/5546/0/392738/889/research-fellow-in-the-solar-and-magnetospheric-theory-group-ar2828do For informal enquiries email Thomas Neukirch (tn3@st-andrews.ac.uk).
  • Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Reader in Mathematics at the University of Dundee
    The University of Dundee invites applications for a full-time permanent academic position in Mathematics. The position is offered at Lecturer, Senior Lecturer or Reader level, according to experience (approximately equivalent to the Assistant Professor to Associate Professor range). We encourage applications in established areas such as Magnetohydrodynamics, Mathematical Biology, or Numerical Analysis & Scientific Computing, or in the fields of Optimisation & Operational Research or Stochastic Processes & Probability, which we wish to grow. For further details, see the job advert at: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DAB319/lecturer-senior-lecturer-reader-in-mathematics-tandr-uod567 You are welcome to contact Professor Ping Lin (Academic Lead, Mathematics, P.Lin@dundee.ac.uk) with informal enquiries. Applications close on the 11th of June 2023.
  • Fully-funded MSc and PhD positions at CRAAM/Mackenzie, Brazil
    We invite applications for fully-funded MSc and PhD positions in the graduate program in Electrical Engineering and Computation at Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, Brazil. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to work on projects in Solar and Stellar Physics, Ionospheric and Magnetospheric Physics, or Space Geodesy, at the Center for Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics Mackenzie (CRAAM) https://www.mackenzie.br/en/craam-center-for-radio-astronomy-and-astrophysics-at-mackenzie Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the group at CRAAM to enquire about research topics and the application process as soon as possible. Remote interviews can be scheduled as soon as applications are received. Adriana Válio avalio@craam.mackenzie.br https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1671-8370 Guillermo Giménez de Castro guigue@craam.mackenzie.br https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8979-3582 Jean-Pierre Raulin raulin@craam.mackenzie.br https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7501-3231 Sérgio Szpigel sergio.szpigel@mackenzie.br https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2529-2225 Paulo Simões paulo@craam.mackenzie.br https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4819-1884 Guidelines: https://www.mackenzie.br/fileadmin/ARQUIVOS/Public/2-processos-seletivos/upm/MESTRADO_E_DOUTORADO/2023_2/GUIDELINES_FOR_FOREIGN_APPLICANTS_-_DIRECTRICES_PARA_LOS_SOLICITANTES_EXTRANJEROS_-_2023.pdf For applications, please visit: MSc program: https://www3.mackenzie.br/posGraduacao/inscricao/20232/275/ PhD program: https://www3.mackenzie.br/posGraduacao/inscricao/20232/276/ The applications form is in Portuguese; we would be happy to help the candidates to navigate the application process. Knowledge of Portuguese language is not required: course lectures and project work can be done in English and/or Spanish. Applications deadline: 18th July 2023 Registration of successful candidates: 3rd to 7th August 2023 For further information, please contact ee.craam@mackenzie.br