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
(Please notify any additions/corrections to A.J. Smith.)VLF Data on the Web
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 should be
of interest to VERSIM:
VERSIM Business meeting
There will be a meeting of the VERSIM working group during the Maastricht
Assembly, at 1800 on Monday 19 August 2002 in Room 0.6 (called Madrid)
of the MECC (Maastrichts Exposit Congres Centrum).
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, etc.). All are welcome!
IUGG, Sapporo, 2003
The 23rd General Assembly of the
International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG),
which encompasses IAGA, will be held in Sapporo, Japan, 30 June -
11 July 2003. The scientific programme and information on how to register for
the assembly may be found on the web site,
or contact the organising committee at email:
iugg_service@jamstec.go. jp or fax: +81 468-67-9315.
There will be several sessions of interest to VERSIM, but particularly:
Whistler-mode waves and their effects on the radiation belts
This session, GA 3.10, convened by K. Yomoto, F. Menk and A.J. Smith, will
focus on "the use of ULF, ELF and VLF waves as diagnostic probe of the solar
wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere coupled system for a space weather study. These
waves convey information about the dynamics and morphology of the
magnetosphere and its coupling to the solar wind and ionosphere. Papers
obtained by new and established coordinated ground and space-based
observations for a space weather study are strongly encouraged."
VERSIM Business meeting
There will be a meeting of the VERSIM working group during the Sapporo
Assembly, on the evening of Monday 7 July 2003 (venue to be announced).
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 25 June 2002.
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