[SPA] SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER, Volume XXVII, Issue 3

[Newsletter Editor]

AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SPA SECTION NEWSLETTER
Volume XXVII, Issue 3
Jan.09,2020

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Table of Contents

1. MEETING: HamSCI Workshop 2020 Call for Abstracts

2. SESSION: AOGS 2020 Session PS03 "To the Moon to Stay: the Artemis Era"

3. SESSION: URSI Session "Meteors, Collisional EMPs, and Other Highly-transient Space Plasma Events”

4. Announcement of New Functions of the IUGONET Web Service

5. Topical Issue "Geomagnetic Storms and Substorm: a Geomagnetically Induced Current perspective", Deadline 30 June 2020 -- First Call

6. Los Alamos Space Weather Summer School (June 1 - July 31 2020) - Applications Due Jan 19, 2020

7. Boulder Space Weather Summer School, June 29 – July 10, 2020

8. JOB OPENING: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, Space Scientist, GS-1330-13/14

9. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Plasma Physics at West Virginia University

10. JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Space Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

11. Subscription to SPA Newsletter: Annual Reminder

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Announcement Submission Website: http://goo.gl/forms/qjcm4dDr4g


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MEETING: HamSCI Workshop 2020 Call for Abstracts

From: Nathaniel Frissell (nathaniel.frissell at scranton.edu)

Dear Colleagues,

The 3rd Annual HamSCI (Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation) Workshop will be held at the University of Scranton March 20-21, 2020. This Citizen Science workshop is uniquely designed to bring together the professional research community and the amateur radio community to share ideas toward jointly advancing space science knowledge and amateur radio activities. As we look to the next solar maximum and solar eclipse across North America, opportunities for space weather investigations involving citizen scientists will increasingly and transformatively benefit our field. The theme of the 2020 HamSCI Workshop is "The Auroral Connection: How does the aurora affect amateur radio, and what can we learn about the aurora from citizen science techniques?" Invited speakers include Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald, NASA Scientist and founder of the Aurorasaurus citizen science project; Prof. James LaBelle, Dartmouth Space Scientist and expert on radio aurora; Dan Hallidy, K2DH, an expert in ham radio auroral communication; and leading amateur radio contester Tim Duffy, K3LR. Additionally, this workshop will also serve as a team meeting for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station project, an NSF-funded Distributed Arrays of Small Instruments project to develop a modular citizen science instrument for studying space weather from anywhere including backyards. 

The workshop organizing committee invites submission of abstracts on these topics, or on any topic that has a goal of advancing knowledge of the space environment through collaborations with citizen science communities. For more information, please visit https://hamsci.org/hamsci2020. Please send abstracts and questions to Professor Nathaniel Frissell at hamsci at hamsci.org.

Travel funding may be provided for a limited number of participants based upon need and impact to respective citizen science communities. Please provide a statement if your attendance depends on this funding for consideration by the Organizing Committee.

HamSCI Workshop 2020 Science/Program Committee

Nathaniel Frissell, Chair, University of Scranton
Phil Erickson, MIT Haystack Observatory
Liz MacDonald, NASA GSFC
Cathryn Mitchell, University of Bath
Bill Liles, HamSCI Community


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SESSION: AOGS 2020 Session PS03 "To the Moon to Stay: the Artemis Era"

From: Jim Green, David Draper, and Greg Schmidt (james.green at nasa.gov)

Dear Colleagues,

At the upcoming AOGS 2020 conference in South Korea from 28 June to 4 July we will have the opportunity to discuss future activities on the Moon by the international community. This series of talks will discuss how we can develop a sustained, ongoing human presence on the Moon, eventually leading to human missions to Mars. In this session, contributed presentations will focus on four major themes: new lunar science, human exploration, in-situ resource utilization, and sustainability. Such a long-term presence on the Moon will require new types of infrastructure and methods for constructing it. These new ways to live and work on another planetary body are the cornerstone of future exploration of the Solar System. So let’s get this discussion going.

Presentations covering any aspect in this thematic chain are encouraged. Please note that the abstract submission deadline is 21 January 2020.

Go to: http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2020/public.asp?page=abstract.asp


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SESSION: URSI Session "Meteors, Collisional EMPs, and Other Highly-transient Space Plasma Events”

From: Meers Oppenheim (meerso at bu.edu) and Jorge Chau

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to submit an abstract for the joint G and H commission session "Meteors, collisional EMPs, and other highly-transient space plasma events” at the  2020 URSI General assembly.  This meeting will occur occur between August 29th  and September 5th in Rome, Italy. More detailed information can be found at :

https://www.ursi2020.org/

Session Description :

This session includes meteoroid impacts, EMP generation on satellite and planetary surfaces as well as other related transient atmospheric and ionospheric meteor phenomena. Emphasis is on the radio and radar signatures of these events including observational, theoretical, and modeling points of view. In the case of micrometeoroids, their processes (e.g., sputtering, fragmentation, ablation, iononization) and their effects on derived parameters, like winds, neutral temperatures, neutral density, meteor orbits, meteor masses, etc., are of special interest.


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Announcement of New Functions of the IUGONET Web Service

From: IUGONET Development Team (ytanaka at nipr.ac.jp)

I am pleased to announce that the interactive plottings and ASCII-file download of the upper atmosphere data archived by Japanese universities and institutes are now available on the 
IUGONET Type-A website:
http://search.iugonet.org/

With these functions, users can easily compare several kinds of data on the web or load them into your own analysis software.

The data that can be downloaded as ASCII files are as follows:
- 64Hz induction magnetometer data (obtained by ISEE, Nagoya Univ.)
- 210 magnetic meridian fluxgate magnetometer data
- Fluxgate and induction magnetometer data at Syowa and Iceland.
- Broad-beam riometer data
- EISCAT radar data
- SuperDARN radar data at Hokkaido, Syowa, and King Salmon

You can find the plotter and ASCII downloader by the following steps:
1. Search data at the top page.
2. Select data set.
3. Click "UDAS web" on the right-hand side of the page.

In near future, the plotter and ASCII downloader will be available for more data set.


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Topical Issue "Geomagnetic Storms and Substorm: a Geomagnetically Induced Current perspective", Deadline 30 June 2020 -- First Call

From: Mirko Piersanti (mirko.piersanti at roma2.infn.it)

The Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate (JSWSC) opens a Topical Issue on "Geomagnetic Storms and Substorm: a Geomagnetically Induced Current perspective" to appear in 2020/2021. 

This Topical Issue intents to collect contributions on Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) during high solar activity (e.g. geomagnetic storms, sub-storms and storm sudden commencements). It aims to: increase the global knowledge about the magnetosphere-ionosphere processes, driven by space weather events, responsible for creating GICs; understand the role played by ionospheric turbulence and ground conductivity in amplifying GICs; improve the forecasting of GICs. 

This Topical Issue arises from the 16th European Space Weather Week held in Liège, Belgium, in November 2019, primarily from the Session 1 entitled “Geomagnetic Storms: a Geomagnetically Induced Current perspective”. However, it is not reserved to papers presented during this session and is open for all submissions within the scope. 

During geomagnetic storms and substorms, the principal magnetospheric currents and the connected ionospheric currents intensify causing rapid changes of the ground geomagnetic field. These variations penetrate into the conductive subsurface generating an electric field which drives Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) in large technological infrastructure. The latter can disrupt the optimal operation of power grids as well as damaging oil/gas pipelines. The aims of this topical issue are to highlight the significant improvements in the global knowledge on the following important open questions about GICs: (1) what are the magnetosphere-ionosphere processes driven by space weather events responsible for driving extreme GICs, (2) what are the roles played by ionospheric turbulence, ground conductivity and the features of the affected power networks in amplifying GICs, and (3) what are the main parameters/proxies/indices that could be used to forecast the build-up of intense GICs? This topical issue invites manuscripts about recent progress and current understanding of the physical processes of GICs, their associated impact on technologies as well as the innovative use of mathematical methods that could provide new perspectives on GIC related research and possible mitigation methods (e.g., transformer and network design, or optimisation of cathodic protection for pipelines). 

Manuscripts must be submitted via the JSWSC online submission tool. Guidelines for submission of papers are found on the JSWSC web site under the tab "Instruction for Authors" 
Deadline: 30 June 2020. 

All manuscripts will be peer reviewed according to the quality standards of international scientific journals. The type of contributions must fit the style of JSWSC. All manuscripts should contain enough new insight, present the results against a properly referenced background of existing work, and present adequate evidence that supports the conclusions. Accepted papers are published in electronic format only, and are freely available to everyone via the JSWSC website. JSWSC offers the possibility to include electronic material, such as animations, movies, codes and data. 

Topical Editor in Chief (T-EiC): 
Mirko Piersanti (mirko.piersanti at roma2.infn.it), INFN – University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy 

Topical Editors: 
Ciaran D. Beggan (ciar at bgs.ac.uk), British Geological Survey, Edinburgh, UK
Andrew Dimmok (andrew.dimmock at irfu.se), Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala, Sweden
Roberta Tozzi (roberta.tozzi at ingv.it), Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia – Rome, Italy 
For questions regarding this Topical Issue, please, contact the T-EiC. For questions concerning the submission process the Editorial Office (jswsc at edpsciences.org) should be contacted. 


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Los Alamos Space Weather Summer School (June 1 - July 31 2020) - Applications Due Jan 19, 2020

From: Mike Henderson (mghenderson at lanl.gov)

The Los Alamos Space Weather Summer School is accepting applications for its 2020 session to be held (June 1 - July 31, 2020). Applications are due January 19, 2020. Sponsored by the Center for Space and Earth Sciences at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), this summer school brings together top space science graduate students and LANL space scientists to work on challenging space weather research. Students receive a prestigious Vela Fellowship (worth $10,000 to cover travel and living expenses), technical training, and opportunities for professional development.

Lectures:
The lectures will be composed of three main themes.  The first part will be an overview of basic space physics concepts geared towards understanding how the magnetosphere works and how it is driven. The second part will use modeling tools to explore the same concepts in a more quantitative way, exposing the strengths and weaknesses of available models. The final part of the lectures will bring these concepts together to explore how new space missions could be devised to help resolve longstanding scientific questions. Lectures will be coordinated with "labs" to get more hands-on experience. Space data analysis and modeling will be the main themes of the labs.

Research projects:
The unique aspect of the Los Alamos Space Weather Summer School is its emphasis on scientific research projects. Students team up with LANL mentors to work on unresolved scientific problems in space physics. LANL is engaged in a wide variety of space-physics activities and offers a host of exciting research projects (see webpage for a list of current and past projects.) Students are also encouraged to propose their own ideas, which might include topics from their PhD thesis. In the past, many of the Summer School projects have led to presentations at major international conferences and, in some cases, to publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Students:
Open to U.S. and foreign graduate students currently enrolled in PhD programs in space physics, planetary science, aerospace engineering, or related fields.

See website at http://swx-school.lanl.gov for details on application process.


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Boulder Space Weather Summer School, June 29 – July 10, 2020

From: Stan Solomon (stans at ucar.edu)

Applications are open for the 2020 Boulder Space Weather Summer School, which will be held June 29 – July 10 at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, in Boulder, Colorado.  The SWSS is a comprehensive two-week introduction to the science of space weather: what it is, what it does, and what can be done about it.

* Application Deadline: March 1, 2020 *

The SWSS curriculum integrates the fundamental science of the Sun-Earth system with the impacts of space weather, and has a particular emphasis on modeling and forecasting. The School is broadly designed for graduate students who are considering space weather or space physics as a research field, as well as active practitioners from government and industry (for example, space weather forecasters). Admission is also open to advanced undergraduate students. The pedagogical approach combines morning lectures from distinguished experts, with interactive learning labs in the afternoons that give students hands-on experience analyzing and interpreting data from spacecraft, and output from state-of-the-art models. The interactive activities culminate in a capstone project where students synthesize and apply the concepts and skills they have learned to forecast a space weather event, from its origins on the Sun to its impact on the Earth.

Local SWSS partners include the NCAR High Altitude Observatory, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, the National Solar Observatory, and the University of Colorado.  Lecturers come from these and other leading research and educational institutions across the US, particularly Boston University, where the summer school originated.

For further information,  and instructions on how to apply, see:
https://www2.hao.ucar.edu/SWSS


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JOB OPENING: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, Space Scientist, GS-1330-13/14

From: Michele Cash (michele.cash at noaa.gov)

This position is located in the Research Section of the National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). The position will focus on the development and utilization of ionosphere/thermosphere models, data, and services. The incumbent will manage and lead significant numerical prediction modeling activities directed at the improvement of operational space weather products and services with emphasis on the ionosphere/thermosphere and represent SWPC in national and international efforts to accelerate the transition of research to operations. The incumbent will serve as a senior-level scientist and project manager who establishes and implements top level strategy, objectives, and performance measures; develops and maintains expertise in space weather; prioritizes work; and determines funding needs and allocations for assigned projects related to the development of models, model-driven and data-driven products, and tools to improve space weather forecasting and customer services.

The position announcement opened on Friday, January 3, 2020 and closes on Thursday, January 16, 2020. For additional information and to apply for this position, see the information available on the USAJOBS website (usajobs.gov):

For the General Public:
Job Announcement # (DE/CR): NWS-NCEP-2020-0019 https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/555619600

For Current Federal Employees and Individuals with Status:
Job Announcement # (MAP): NWS-NCEP-2020-0018 https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/555619500

For questions about the position, contact Dr. Michele Cash (michele.cash at noaa.gov)


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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Plasma Physics at West Virginia University

From: Paul Cassak, Weichao Tu, Earl Scime (Paul.Cassak at mail.wvu.edu)

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is seeking applicants for a Postdoctoral Fellow in computational plasma physics, with an emphasis on a collaboration with an in-house laboratory plasma experiment. The ideal candidate will work with Profs. Paul Cassak, Weichao Tu, and Earl Scime to modify the boundary conditions in an existing particle-in-cell code to model magnetic reconnection in kinking flux ropes in the experiment, and to run test particle simulations with an existing code to study particle acceleration in electromagnetic fields in the experiment. 

Minimum qualifications include a PhD in Physics, Plasma Physics, Space Physics, or related discipline and previous research experience in computational plasma physics (preferred: particle-in-cell simulations; desirable: test particle simulations). A full list of qualifications and instructions for how to apply for the position are at https://wvu.taleo.net/careersection/wvu_research/jobdetail.ftl?job=13607. The application requires a cover letter including names and contact information of three references and a CV. Competitive salary and benefits are offered. Review of applications will begin Feb. 7, 2020, and continue until the position is filled. The preferred start date is immediate.

The WVU plasma/space group is described at https://physics.wvu.edu/research/plasma-and-space-physics. The department energetically supports diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as described at https://physics.wvu.edu/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusivity. WVU is a comprehensive land grant university enrolling nearly 27,000 students on the main Morgantown campus.  WVU’s Carnegie Classification is R1 (“Doctoral Universities - Very High Research Activity”). Morgantown is centrally located and regularly makes “Best Place to Live” lists because of its good schools, excellent health care, low unemployment rate, low crime rate, and abundant recreational opportunities. The WVU Research Corporation is an AA/EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/ E-Verify Compliant Employer. Please contact Paul Cassak (Paul.Cassak at mail.wvu.edu), Weichao Tu (wetu at mail.wvu.edu) or Earl Scime (Earl.Scime at mail.wvu.edu) with any questions.


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JOB OPENING: Postdoctoral Position in Space Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

From: Caitriona Jackman (cjackman at cp.dias.ie)

A Postdoctoral research position is available at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) in the Astronomy and Astrophysics Section as part of a new Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)-funded Space Science team led by Dr. Caitriona Jackman. 

The postdoctoral position will focus on the dynamics of Earth’s magnetosphere, specifically understanding the link between terrestrial radio emissions (including Auroral Kilometric Radiation) and the substorm cycle of dramatic energy release. The work will involve analysis of data sets from spacecraft including WIND, STEREO and Cassini, as well as indices which measure solar activity and substorm timings. 

Applicants should possess (or soon expect to possess) a PhD in Space Physics or a closely related discipline. A track record of publication in areas such as: magnetospheric physics, radio science, space weather is desired, as is expertise in software programming and scientific data analysis. DIAS is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from suitably qualified talented candidates of all genders and backgrounds.

The deadline for applications is Friday February 21st 2020 at 5pm GMT. Start date is flexible from July 2020 onwards, but no later than December 1st 2020. A contract for 2 years will be offered in the first instance, with opportunity for extension by 1 year thereafter.
For specifics about the position, contact Dr. Caitriona Jackman. cjackman at cp.dias.ie
https:/dias.ie/cjackman
https://www.dias.ie/cp-geophysics/astro/astro-research/

Interested candidates should apply online via https://www.dias.ie/positions/. The application should include: a curriculum vitae including a publication list, plus a statement of research interests and career goals. The application should also include the names of two people who can act as referees.


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Subscription to SPA Newsletter: Annual Reminder

From: Peter Chi (pchi at igpp.ucla.edu)

The SPA Newsletter serves more than two thousand subscribers in the international Space Physics and Aeronomy community. Please forward this e-mail newsletter to your new colleagues or students who may not have been receiving the SPA Newsletter. Subscription requests and changes can be made at the mail service web page at:

http://lists.igpp.ucla.edu/mailman/listinfo/spa

Announcement requests should be made at the following online Google form:

http://goo.gl/forms/qjcm4dDr4g


***** SUBSCRIPTION AND ANNOUNCEMENT REQUESTS *****

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(Do not use this web page to post announcements.)

NOTE: Due to the large number of SPA-related sessions at major conferences, the SPA Newsletter can no longer accept announcement requests for individual sessions at AGU, AOGS, COSPAR, EGU, or IAGA Meetings. Titles and web links (if available) of these sessions will be distributed in a special issue of the Newsletter before the abstract deadline.

SPA Web Site: http://spa.agu.org/

SPA Newsletter Editorial Team: Peter Chi (Editor), Guan Le (Co-Editor), Sharon Uy, Marjorie Sowmendran, and Kevin Addison

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