Table of Contents ====================================================================== 1. 2014 WORKSHOP REPORT: The Storm-Time Inner Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Convection (SIMIC) Focus Group 2. CALL FOR PAPERS: JGR Space Physics Special Section on "Pulsating Aurora and Related Magnetospheric Phenomena" 3. JOB OPENING: New Tenure-track Faculty Position at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Remote Sensing and Space Sciences ====================================================================== *************************** ** THE GEM MESSENGER ** *************************** Volume 24, Number 29 October 2, 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. 2014 WORKSHOP REPORT: The Storm-Time Inner Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Convection (SIMIC) Focus Group ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Joseph Baker, Stan Sazykin, Mike Ruohoniemi, Peter Chi, Mark Engebretson The overarching goal of the “Storm-Time Inner Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Convection” (SIMIC) focus group is to bring together experimentalists, theorists, and modelers to synthesize a new understanding of coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere dynamics during geomagnetic storms. At the 2014 GEM Summer Workshop the SIMIC focus group had three breakout sessions: two on Monday afternoon focused specifically on SIMIC science and a third on Tuesday morning joint with the new “Geospace Systems Science” (GSS) focus group. SIMIC speakers were asked to emphasize in their presentations: (1) shielding and penetration electric fields, specifically, and/or (2) science questions relevant to SIMIC that may have been overlooked in the original focus group proposal. A total of 14 scientific talks were given that collectively touched on the following 3 broad topic areas: 1. Large spatial scale observations of prominent mid-to-high latitude ionospheric features, such as, plumes of Storm Enhanced Density (SED) [Sasha Zou, Evan Thomas]; the Tongue of Ionization (TOI) [Evan Thomas]; the Sub-Auroral Polarization Stream (SAPS) [Larry Lyons, Evan Thomas, Jerry Goldstein]; and, penetration electric fields [Gang Lu]. Specific datasets analyzed included SuperDARN, AMPERE, GPS-TEC, THEMIS-ASIs, PFISR, IMAGE EUV and RPI. 2. Inner magnetosphere spacecraft measurements analyzed in terms of important observational features and processes, such as, excitation of EMIC waves [Jichun Zhang]; heavy ion dominance at low L shells [Christian Ferradas]; the role of substorm injections in buildup of ring current pressure [Matina Gkioulidou]; and, nonlinear electric field feedback after keV plasma injections [Mike Liemohn]. Specific spacecraft measurements analyzed included Van Allen Probes, DMSP, Cluster, and LANL. 3. Theoretical and simulation studies focused on a variety of topics, such as, coupling between middle and high latitudes via ULF waves [Bob Lysak]; assimilating substorm injection data into ring current simulations [Yiqun Yu]; energy interplay in the region of diffuse aurora [George Khazanov]; incorporating active ionospheric feedback in coupled ring current simulations [Margaret Chen, Stan Sazykin]; Thermospheric influences on the quiet-time plasmasphere [Jonathan Krall]; and, penetration electric field influences on Total Electron Content (TEC) [Gang Lu]. Specific numerical models discussed included RCM-E, RAM-SCB, RAM-RCM, RCM/SAMI3, TIMEGCM, and SAMI3/TIME_GCM. In addition, Joe Borovsky gave a presentation explaining the rationale for the new Geospace Systems Science (GSS) focus group and highlighted the potential for future collaborative activities between the two groups. Open discussion was primarily focused on narrowing the scope of SIMIC science questions and selection of a few events of common interest for future collective study. It was decided that these discussions should continue during early Fall 2014 using a collaborative web service called “Wiggio”. Interested parties were encouraged to join the site and (1) make comments about science questions, events, and possible future directions for the focus group; (2) upload and download files for events of interest (i.e. share data and simulation results); and, (3) hold webex type meetings online for continued discussion. During the fall, the focus group leaders will use information collected on the website to select events and science questions appropriate for community-wide analysis ahead of the Mini-GEM workshop held in San Francisco the weekend prior to the 2014 Fall AGU Meeting. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CALL FOR PAPERS: JGR Space Physics Special Section on "Pulsating Aurora and Related Magnetospheric Phenomena" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Keisuke Hosokawa We are seeking your contributions to a JGR - Space Physics special section on "Pulsating Aurora and Related Magnetospheric Phenomena". http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)2169-9402/homepage/call_for_papers.htm The main purpose of this special section is to distribute papers from a session on pulsating aurora at the AOGS 2014 meeting in Sapporo, Japan, but the special section is open to everybody. There is no requirement for a specific connection to the AOGS session. The time frame for submissions is: Open: Oct 1, 2014 Close: Mar 31, 2015 The submission and reviewing process is the same as for standard JGR articles. Manuscripts should be submitted through GEMS for JGR-Space Physics: http://jgr-spacephysics-submit.agu.org/cgi-bin/main.plex During the submission, it is important that the correct special issue is chosen. The Guest Editors: Keisuke Hosokawa, Wen Li, and Yoshizumi Miyoshi Pulsating aurora (PsA) is known as one of the major classes of aurora, which almost always appears during the recovery phase of substorm. Since 60’s, PsA has been extensively studied by using ground-based observations combined with satellite measurements. Still, however, the underlying processes creating auroral pulsations remain to be understood. In addition, it is still unclear what factors actually control the spatial structure and temporal evolution of PsA. Because of these, vast numbers of ground-based radio and optical instruments have been employed during the last decade to better observe the dynamic nature of PsA. In addition, there are several on-going and planned ground-based and satellite (THEMIS, Van Allen Probes, ERG) collaborations aimed at understanding the electromagnetic coupling between magnetospheric processes (whistler mode chorus and ECH waves) and PsA seen on the ground. This special section focuses on observational (ground-based/satellites), theoretical and modeling aspects of PsA, including physics of diffuse aurora, and related phenomena in the magnetosphere, e.g., wave-particle interactions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. JOB OPENING: New Tenure-track Faculty Position at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Remote Sensing and Space Sciences ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jonathan Makela The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in remote sensing and space sciences, with particular emphasis on high-performance scientific computing and numerical modeling and simulation of the space environment; novel electro-optics and radio/radar technologies for probing the space environment; emerging sensor technologies for distributed sensing of the space environment; and space flight hardware design and development. This position was created in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation for Faculty Development in the Space Sciences. The ECE department has a rich history of pioneering research and education leadership in the development of radio and optical sensing technologies and their applications to studying the geospace and solar-terrestrial environments. Candidates will be considered whose research program will continue and expand on this tradition of excellence and innovation. Applications are encouraged from candidates whose research programs have potential to establish new directions and to form new collaborations within the department, college, and university. The intended appointment is at the Assistant Professor level. However, candidates with significant experience may also be considered. The ECE Department has one of the very top programs in the United States, granting approximately 350 B.S. degrees, 100 M.S. degrees, and 60 Ph.D. degrees annually. This year the ECE Department has moved into its new 235,000 sq. ft. net-zero energy design building, which is a major campus addition with maximum space and minimal carbon footprint. The University of Illinois is home to Blue Waters - one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, supported by the National Science Foundation and developed and operated by the University of Illinois’ National Center for Supercomputing Applications. Qualified candidates may be hired as Blue Waters Professors who will be provided substantial allocations on and expedited access to the supercomputer. To be considered as a Blue Waters Professor, candidates need to mention Blue Waters as one of their preferred research areas in their online application, and include a reference to Blue Waters in their cover letter. Please visit http://jobs.illinois.edu to view the complete position announcement and application instructions. Full consideration will be given to applications received by November 15, 2014, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Enquiries may be directed to Professor Farzad Kamalabadi, Chair of the Faculty Search Committee; e-mail: farzadk@illinois.edu; phone: 217-333-4406. Illinois is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu. +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ | To broadcast announcements to the GEM community, please contact | | Peter Chi, GEM Communications Coordinator, at: | | | | | | Please submit your announcements in plain text or Word document. | | | | To subscribe the GEM Messenger, send an e-mail to | | | | with the following command in the body of your e-mail message: | | subscribe gem | | To remove yourself from the mailing list, the command is: | | unsubscribe gem | | | | GEM Messenger is also posted online via newsfeed at | | http://heliophysics.blogspot.com and | | http://www.facebook.com/heliophysics | | | | Back issues are available at: | | http://www-ssc.igpp.ucla.edu/gemwiki/messenger/ | | | | URL of GEM Home Page: http://aten.igpp.ucla.edu/gemwiki | | Workshop Information: http://www.cpe.vt.edu/gem/index.html | +-------------------------------------------------------------------+