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), see history. 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, Wave propagation in magnetosphere and ionosphere, Sprites and the effects of lightning on the ionosphere. There are currently almost 100 scientists from 21 different countries on the VERSIM mailing list.
Some VERSIM Research Laboratories
VLF Data on the Web
IAGA, Hanoi, 2001
The 9th Scientific Assembly of IAGA will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, 18-30 August 2001. It will be a combined meeting with IASPEI. Contact: IAGA-IASPEI 2001
Secretariat, Institute of Geophysics, Box. 411 Buu Dien Bo Ho, Hanoi, Vietnam; fax: +84 4836 4696; phone: +84 4756 2802; email: IAGA-IASPEI@fpt.vn. See also details about the venue given in IAGA News, No. 38 (October 1998).
Whistlers, Particle Precipitation and Low-latitude VLF Phenomena
This session was orignally proposed and approved at the VERSIM meeting in Birmingham (see report below) as a joint Division II/III session. It is now the half-day session G2.07 in the Division II programme, convened by A.J. Smith (British Antarctic Survey, UK) and A.R.W. Hughes (Natal University, South Africa), and is on the subject of whistlers (including ion whistlers) in the magnetosphere and ionosphere, their propagation and interaction with particle populations, and the induced effects in the ionosphere, particularly precipitation. The provisional programme is as follows:
Session: G2.07 Whistlers, Particle Precipitation and Low-latitude VLF
Phenomena
Hanoi (ICC-Salon 2), Tuesday 28 August 2001
VERSIM Business meeting
There will be a meeting of the VERSIM working group during the Hanoi Assembly, at 1145 on Tuesday 28 August 2001 in ICC-Salon 2, i.e. immediately after the VERSIM session G2.07, and in the same room. 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. Especially if you have any proposals for symposia for the IAGA/IUGG Assembly in 2003 in Sapporo, let me know, as this may need to be proposed at a Commission II/III business meeting occurring before the VERSIM business meeting. All are welcome!
URSI, Maastricht, 2002
The 27th General Assembly of URSI
will be held in Maastricht, the Netherlands in August 2002. There will be
no specifically VERSIM session, but the following topics have been proposed
for symposia at Maastricht, which, together with the Open Sessions, should
cover all areas of interest to VERSIM:
There will be a VERSIM business meeting arranged during the assembly; more
details will be provided nearer the time.
Other forthcoming meetings
VERSIM bibliography
Please send any additions or corrections to Michel Parrot.
Obituaries
Previous editions of this page
VERSIM Newsletters
The VERSIM Newsletter (and its predecessor, the PEPM Newsletter) has been published about 1-2 times per year. The
latest issue (No. 15) was published in June 2001. Newsletters up to No. 13 were distributed on paper. From No. 14 onwards they will be distributed electronically, either via the VERSIM electronic mailing list or through this web page. Here is an archive of past VERSIM Newsletters:
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 5 July 2001.
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