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IAGA/ URSI JOINT WORKING GROUP on:

V . E . R . S . I . M

VLF/ELF Remote Sensing of Ionospheres and Magnetospheres

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), as described in the working group 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, a regular VERSIM community workshop, 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 over 100 scientists from about 26 different countries on the VERSIM mailing list.

Some VERSIM Research Laboratories

(Please notify any additions/corrections to C. J. Rodger.)
 
 

VLF Data on the Web

Forthcoming meetings

URSI, Istanbul, 2011

The 30th General Assembly of URSI was held in Istanbul, Turkey 13-20 August 2011. During the General Assembly there was a meeting of the VERSIM working group during the Assembly, on 12:00 on Tuesday 11 August 2011. A report on this meeting is available here. The next gathering is to be held in Beijing, China, from 16-23 August 2014. See the URSI General Assemblies website for more details.

 

IAGA/IUGG Melbourne, 2011

The IAGA General Assembly was held in Melbourne, Australia from 28 June-7 July 2011 as part of the larger IUGG meeting. There was a VERSIM business meeting at 1810 on Sunday 3 July 2010 during this conference. A report on this meeting can be found from our website. The next IAGA meeting will be held in Mérida, Yucatán, México from 26 - 31 August 2013 (the next IUGG is to be in Prague in 2015). There are multiple VERSIM-relevant sessions organised at the Merida IAGA. The VERSIM business meeting will be held during the lunch break on Tuesday 27 August 2013 (noon-13:30pm slot).

 

5th VERSIM Workshop, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2012

The 5th VERSIM Workshop took place in September 2012 at Mackenzie Presbyterian University (São Paulo, Brazil), organized by the Center for Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics Mackenzie (CRAAM), Engineering School, and supported by IAGA and URSI. This was a chance for the VERSIM IAGA/URSI joint working group to meet and discuss current issues, developments, and techniques, and was the first time the VERSIM workshop has taken place outside of Europe. Tthe final day of the 5th VERSIM workshop was a special day devoted to Geophysical and Radio techniques to asses Natural Disasters and Space Weather Impacts on the Earth. This is part of a ICSU funded URSI/SCOSTEP-supported programme for South America. The programme listing is online and we have asked for the abstracts to also be listed. The workshop attracted 54 participants from 5 continents, although a significant number of participants were only present for the final day. A report on the 5th workshop was published in the Radio Science Bulletin issue No 344 March 2013 (pg 40) and IAGA News 49 (December 2012; page 9).

During the 5th VERSIM Workshop there was a VERSIM business meeting on the 3rd day (Wednesday 5 September 2012). The minutes of this meeting are available.

6th VERSIM Workshop, Dunedin, New Zealand, 2013

The 6th VERSIM workshop will take place from 20-23 January 2014 at the University of Otago, in Dunedin (New Zealand). Sponsorship has been received from URSI Commission G and H as well as from IAGA. This funding is specifically to support students and early career scientists to attend the meeting, as well as researchers from developing countries. Abstract submissions are now open, as are registrations. More detail is available from the workshop website. 

 

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. 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 C. J. Rodger; email crodger@physics.otago.ac.nz
        URSI Co-chairman J. Lichtenberger; email spacerg@sas.elte.hu

This document is maintained by C .J. Rodger and was last updated 27 August 2013.

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