UK Solar Physics Newsletter Lyndsay Fletcher & Duncan Mackay, Editors April 1st 2008 o News, Views and Gossip o Hinode SOT/SP Calibrated Data Online o Hinode: Science Data Downlink Status o Whole Heliosphere Interval: Call for Participation o Meetings, Conferences and Workshops o KITP DYNAMO CONFERENCE o Second Hinode Science Meeting -- Registration is Open o International Symposium: Fifty Years after IGY -Modern Information Technologies and Earth and Solar Sciences- o Employment Opportunities o MIT Haystack Observatory - Post-Doctoral Position in Solar and Heliospheric Research o Post-Doctoral Position in Solar Physics in Warwick University o Senior Research Associate in Space Research / Planetary Sciences at University of Bern. Dear Colleague, Here are a few items which have come to our attention since the last Newsletter. You can find this newsletter also at the UKSP website: http://www.uksolphys.org Lyndsay (lyndsay@astro.gla.ac.uk) Duncan (duncan@mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk) ********************************************************************* * * * News, Views and Gossip * * * ********************************************************************* >From : Bruce Lites Hinode SOT/SP Calibrated Data Online The Hinode SOT Spectro-Polarimeter (SP) calibrated (Level1) data may now be browsed in summary form and downloaded from the website: http://sot.lmsal.com/data/sot/level1d/ This site displays SP "Level1D" data: image maps of continuum intensity, longitudinal and transverse "magnetograms", and Doppler velocity extracted from the sequence of spectra comprising each map. From this site, these Level1D images (along with other extracted parameters) may be downloaded in a SolarSoft IDL session via the cut-and-paste commands accompanying each observation summary. Cut-and-paste links are also provided to allow download of the calibrated Stokes spectra. All posted data have been verified for correct processing by the Hinode SOT /SP team at the High Altitude Observatory. Some data have not yet been posted because of a few remaining issues with individual data sets. In particular, the early mission data in October-November 2006 where thermal drifts were rapid and large, some data during the eclipse season of 2007 that also had rapid thermal drifts, certain classes of rapidly-repeating short maps, and individual data sets with unique problems such as data dropouts are not yet posted. These issues will be addressed on an individual basis, and properly calibrated data will be posted as they become available. Data are now posted through December 2007, and newer data will also be posted as it becomes available. ************************************ From: Taro Sakao Hinode: Science Data Downlink Status 13 Mar 2008 Ichiro Nakatani, JAXA Hinode Project Manager Starting at the end of last year, Hinode's X-band transmitter signal began to experience irregularities in the latter half of each contact with the ground. Science operation continued, and downlink activities were made less frequent and more efficient, in an attempt to remedy the situation. However, due to further increase in the irregularities since early February, the Hinode team is now considering performing downlink with the backup S-band antenna. Downlink via S-band will result in decreased downlink speed, and this will set limitations on the ability to take continuous observations over extended periods of time [at high cadence]. Nonetheless, all of Hinode's telescopes are still in excellent condition, and in order to minimize the effect on Hinode's original scientific objectives, more efficient data-compression schemes are being implemented and additional JAXA ground stations are planned to be added to downlink scientific data more frequently. The cause of the X-band anomaly is currently under investigation, and the status of the X-band will continue to be regularly monitored. ************************************* From: Barbara Thompson Whole Heliosphere Interval: Call for Participation The Whole Heliosphere Interval (WHI) will begin March 20, 2008. There are now over 200 researchers participating, representing space and ground-based observatories around the world. We are also pleased that there are a large number of participants from geospace, providing the essential observations to connect the variability of the Sun and heliosphere to their impacts at Earth. It's not too late to join WHI! Interested individuals should go to the WHI website, http://ihy2007.org/WHI As a part of the International Heliophysical Year, we are organizing an international coordinated observing and modeling effort to characterize the 3-dimensional interconnected solar-heliospheric-planetary system, to be known as the Whole Heliosphere Interval (WHI) (originating at the Sun Carrington Rotation 2067: March 20 - April 16, 2008). WHI's science begins with the solar interior and extends through the heliosphere and interplanetary space out to the heliopause. Many participating observatories will be running a continuous "synoptic" set of observations, to provide baseline measurements of the heliophysical system. "Targeted" observing campaigns, involving day-to-day coordinated observations of heliospheric subregions in order to address specific scientific questions, will also be run within the WHI timeframe. After the Interval, modeling and intracomparison of observations will be organized via the web and workshop/meeting sessions, including the WHI Data & Modeling Assessment Workshop to be held 25 - 29 August, 2008 in Boulder. ********************************************************************* * * * Conferences, Workshops, Meetings * * * ********************************************************************* From: C A Jones KITP DYNAMO CONFERENCE This is the final announcement for the conference on 'Magnetic Field Generation in Experiments, Geophysics and Astrophysics' at the KITP in Santa Barbara from Monday July 14th - Friday July 18th. If you want to give a talk at this meeting, please let Chris Jones, cajones@maths.leeds.ac.uk, have a title by 4th April. It is likely that the available slots will be filled quite soon, so please respond promptly if you want us to reserve you a space for an oral presentation. If you have not already done so, please also make sure you have registered at http://www.kitp.ucsb.edu/activities/auto2/?id=915 before the 4th April if you want to give a talk. If you want to come to the meeting without giving a talk, or to bring a poster along, you should make sure you register before 13th June, otherwise a late registration fee will be required. Chris Jones (Conference cooordinator) Dan Lathrop Steve Tobias Ellen Zweibel ********************************************* >From : Bruce Lites Second Hinode Science Meeting -- Registration is Open Online registration and abstract submission are now open at the website for the Second Hinode Science Meeting to be held in Boulder, CO USA 29 September - 3 October 2008. Hotel information is also available. Please go to the meeting website to register and submit abstracts: http://www.hao.ucar.edu/partnerships/hinode/conference-2008/ ********************************************* From: Masumi Shimojo International Symposium: Fifty Years after IGY -Modern Information Technologies and Earth and Solar Sciences- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- MEETING: International Symposium: Fifty Years after IGY -Modern Information Technologies and Earth and Solar Sciences- November 10-13, 2008, Tsukuba, Japan ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- From: Masaru Kono We are delighted to announce that an international symposium "Fifty Years after IGY -Modern Information Technologies and Earth and Solar Sciences- " is to be held for November 10-13, 2008 at National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), in Tsukuba, Japan. After 50 years from the International Geophysical Year (IGY), four new international programs: International Polar Year (IPY), electronic Geophysical Year (eGY), International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE), and International Heliophysical Year (IHY), have been proposed and are in progress. Efforts for renewal of the international data system such as the WDC and CODATA are also in progress. This symposium will treat a wide range of topics related to these programs and information technologies such as super computers and ultra-high speed Internet, and expects that the scientists and engineers in Earth sciences, solar sciences, informatics, computer sciences and related fields meet together. By convening these people at one place, it is possible to share our experiences and opinions on how we have been handling very varied and huge amounts of data and extracting/expanding the knowledge, and on current and future plans. This symposium will provide an opportunity for creation of new and interdisciplinary Earth and solar sciences and a chance of elucidation of their importance to the world. Please see the website for more details concerning the topics to be covered during the symposium and the logistics: http://wdc2.kugi.kyoto-u.ac.jp/igy50 We expect the page for registration and abstract submission to be available in middle of May 2008. IGY+50 Symposium Organizing Committee Masaru Kono (Chair) Eikichi Tsukuda (IYPE) Natsuo Sato (IPY) Kiyohumi Yumoto (IHY) Shuichi Iwata (CODATA) Takashi Watanabe (WDC) Toshihiko Iyemori (eGY) *********************************************************************** * * * Positions Vacant * * * *********************************************************************** From: Nicolas Labrosse MIT Haystack Observatory Post-Doctoral Position in Solar and Heliospheric Research A post-doctoral research appointment associated with the analysis of solar and heliospheric observations with the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) is available at the MIT Haystack Observatory in Westford, Massachusetts. The MWA is an innovative digital low-frequency radio array currently under construction in a radio-quiet area in Western Australia. Information about the MWA and the Haystack Observatory is available at http://www.haystack.mit.edu. The MWA science applications include imaging the Sun and solar radio bursts, and measuring the Faraday rotation and interplanetary scintillations of signals from distant background radio sources to determine the density, velocity and magnetic fields in solar wind structures. We seek a candidate primarily interested in the development of algorithms and software for the analysis of the MWA observations. Some experience in solar studies would be an added advantage. Candidates will have the opportunity to interact extensively with other science groups associated with the project, and to conduct independent scientific research. For inquiries or more information please contact Dr. Divya Oberoi (doberoi@haystack.mit.edu). The salary for this position is competitive and the appointment can start immediately. The initial appointment will be for two years, with possible extension to a third year or a permanent staff position depending upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. Applications consisting of a CV, a brief statement of capabilities and research interests, and the names of three references should be sent to resume@haystack.mit.edu. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by June 1, 2008, and will be accepted until the position is filled. ******************************************** From: Tony Arber Post-Doctoral Position in Solar Physics in Warwick University There is a vacancy for a PDRA position in the University of Warwick within the Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics (CFSA) supported on the group's STFC Rolling Grant. The project is on a on solar coronal active region modeling. The project will involve running MHD and kinetic simulations of the solar corona and comparing with observational datasets. You should therefore have experience of scientific computing, solar physics theory and be able to compare these models with observations from satellite or ground based observations. You should hold a PhD in a scientific discipline and preferable some post graduate coronal research experience. The post will initially be for 3 years and the salary will be in the range 25,134 - 32,796. Further details: www.warwick.ac.uk/go/cfsa/vacancies Informal enquiries can be made to Dr. Tony Arber (T.D.Arber@warwick.ac.uk) in CFSA. An application form must be completed if you wish to be considered for this post. Please note that the hard copy application pack and the on-line application pack are the same. Details of the application procedure can be found on www.warwick.ac.uk/go/cfsa/vacancies Please quote job vacancy reference number 59714-038. The closing date/time for applications is midnight (British time) at the end of Friday 16 May 2008. ******************************************** >From : Peter Wurz Senior Research Associate in Space Research / Planetary Sciences at University of Bern The Space Research and Planetary Sciences Division (www.space.unibe.ch) at the Physikalisches Institut of the University of Bern, Switzerland, invites applications for a Senior Research Associate in Space Research / Planetary Sciences for the experimental investigation of planetary atmospheres and surfaces. We are seeking a talented and highly motivated individual who has a excellent record in experimental space research, preferably with specialisation in mass spectrometry. The successful candidate will be involved in the hardware development of present missions (Mercury and Mars) and future missions (mostly within the framework of ESA's Cosmic Vision programme) besides carrying her/his own research. Participation in the undergraduate and graduate teaching duties of the department is expected. The position requires a PhD degree in Physics, Astrophysics, or Space Science and a good publication record. A habilitation or equivalent is a definite advantage. The position is available starting August 1. 2008. The initial employment is for a period of three years but the position can be made permanent for a particularly talented individual. Salary is set according to the rules and regulations of the University of Bern. Applicants should send a complete CV, a publication list, a short description of their research interests and provide contact information for 3 references to Prof. Dr. Peter Wurz, Physikalisches Institut, Sidlerstrasse 5, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. Review of applications will begin on 30 April 2008. -- Dr Duncan H Mackay Mathematical Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9SS, Scotland. Tel 01334 463760 Fax 01334 463748 The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532 _______________________________________________ uksp mailing list uksp@physics.gla.ac.uk http://www.physics.gla.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/uksp