IAGA/URSI JOINT WORKING GROUP on:
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The working group on VLF/ELF Remote Sensing of the Ionosphere and Magnetosphere (VERSIM) is an international group of scientists interested in studying the behaviour of the magnetosphere and ionosphere by means of ELF (300 Hz - 3 kHz) and VLF (3-30 kHz) radio waves, both naturally and artificially generated. The group was set up in 1975 by IAGA (International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy) and URSI (International Union of Radio Science). Originally the emphasis was on probing of the magnetosphere by whistlers, but later the scope became somewhat broader. The group aims to promote research in this field by facilitating the exchange of ideas, information and experience between active research workers and other interested scientists. This is done through regular meetings at IAGA and URSI Assemblies, and via the circulation of a newsletter. The group has also been active in sponsoring scientific symposia at IAGA and URSI Assemblies, in areas relevant to its field of interest, and in coordinating observational campaigns. At present the main subjects of interest include Plasma structures and boundaries - morphology and dynamics, Wave-particle and wave-wave interactions, Wave-induced particle precipitation, and Wave propagation in magnetosphere and ionosphere. There are currently about 116 scientists from 24 different countries on the VERSIM mailing list.
Some VERSIM Research Laboratories
IAGA, Uppsala, 1997
The 8th Scientific Assembly of IAGA will be held in Uppsala, Sweden, 4-15 August 1997. A circular providing information about the meeting was published in November 1996. Details are available from the local organising committee [IAGA 97, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, S-75591 Uppsala, Sweden; tel: +46-18-303600; fax: +46-18-403100; email: iaga@irfu.se; WWW: http://www.irfu.se/iaga_97.html].
Localised ionospheric perturbations related to lightning and VLF transmitters
There will be a half-day VERSIM session (Session 2.14) on Localised ionospheric perturbations related to lightning and VLF transmitters, conveners: D. Nunn and A.J. Smith. This session is scheduled for the morning of Monday 11 August 1997, beginning at 0830 in the HSC Building, and will be concerned with the scattering of VLF radiation from D region ionospheric irregularities. See programme.
VERSIM business meeting
There will be a meeting of the VERSIM working group during the Uppsala Assembly, at 1900 on Wednesday 6 August 1997 in the HSC Building. The draft agenda is: 1. Chairman's Report; 2. Future of the working group; 3. Reports from VERSIM research groups; 4. Symposia at future IAGA and URSI Assemblies; 5. Any other business. If you have any specific issues you would like to discuss, please let one of the co-chairmen know (see below for addresses).
Other forthcoming meetings
AGU Fall meeting 1997
The 1997 Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union will be held in San Francisco, 8-12 December 1997. For more information, contact: AGU Meetings Department, 1997 Spring Meeting, 2000 Florida Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20009, USA; Tel: +1-202-462-6900; Fax: +1-202-328-0566; email: meetinginfo@kosmos.agu.org or check the WWW page: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm97top.html.
URSI, Toronto, 1999
The XXVIth URSI General Assembly will be held in Toronto, Canada, 13-21 August 1999; see the WWW page: http://intec.rug.ac.be:8080/www/u/ursi/URSIGA.html.
Sessions for Toronto include:
IUGG, Birmingham, 1999
The XXIInd General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics will be held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, 19-30 July 1999.
VERSIM bibliography
Please send any additions or corrections to Michel Parrot.
Previous editions of this page
Newsletter
The VERSIM Newsletter is published about 1-2 times per year. The latest issue (No. 11) is due for publication in July 1997. Any material for the next newsletter, or requests to subscribe, should be sent to A.J. Smith, a.j.smith@bas.ac.uk.
Further information
Contact one of the VERSIM working group co-chairmen:
IAGA Co-chairman A.J. Smith; email
a.j.smith@bas.ac.uk
URSI Co-chairman M. Parrot; email
mparrot@cnrs-orleans.fr
This document is maintained by A.J. Smith and was last updated 12 January 1998.
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