Date & Location:

November 26-28, 2012

Dole, France

Description of the Workshop:

We are very happy to invite you to participate and contribute to the Workshop 'Spectroscopy of methane and derived molecules for atmospheric and planetary applications', to be held in Dole, France, from 26 to 28 November 2012. The goal of this meeting is to bring together the experts working in this field and to provide the communities of spectroscopists, astrophysicists and astronomers with the most recent results and the most advanced methods of analysis for various kinds of applications. The workshop will also aim to summarize the current needs in the domain and to engage a large coordination of research projects on the methane and derived molecules. 

Methane (CH₄) is a key molecule for many research domains in fundamental and applied sciences. In the Earth's atmosphere, it is present as a pollutant of both natural and anthropogenic origin and is the second greenhouse gas (after carbon dioxide) whose emission should be strongly reduced, according to the Kyoto protocol. It is present in significant quantities in the atmospheres of many Solar System bodies, such as the giant planets, Titan, Triton, Pluto and other Kuiper-Belt objects. In particular, the Cassini-Huygens mission, exploring Saturn's system, and especially Titan, since 2004, has greatly revived the interest in modeling the methane absorption spectrum. Moreover, CH₄ has been detected in some hot astrophysical objects such as brown dwarfs and exoplanets. From the fundamental point of view, methane, as the simplest saturated hydrocarbon molecule, is a prototype for quantum chemistry calculations.

Despite all the scientific interest and applications, until recently, the absorption spectrum of methane was insufficiently explored and modeled, mainly due to the huge complexity of the molecule's excited vibrational polyads, featuring numerous strong rovibrational interactions. The present status of the models makes them still insufficiently complete to meet the goals of most applications. Astrophysical objects with large atmospheres including important methane concentrations (Titan) or hot bodies (brown dwarfs, hot Jupiters, etc.) clearly necessitate the study of highly excited rovibrational levels, which are not presently understood. The interpretation of Earth-observing satellite data now requires high precision laboratory measurements and models for line intensities and collisional broadening coefficients.

On the other hand, the increasing need of precise knowledge of absorption spectra concerns some methane-derived molecules (CF₄, CH₃Cl, CH₃Br, CH₃CN,?) which are known as important atmospheric pollutants. In addition, current (Cassini-Huygens, Hubble Space Telescope) and future (DARWIN) space missions focus an important part of their programs on the identification and spectroscopic characteristics of these molecules. Besides the usual detection in the infrared region, a novel spectroscopic technique operating with terahertz frequencies progresses very rapidly: a HIFI heterodyne reception system is envisaged on the next generation of the IR observatory Hershel, and three from ten instruments of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) use the terahertz region.

The knowledge of spectroscopic parameters of methane and methane-derived molecules is constantly improved due to the development, on the one hand, of new highly sensitive spectroscopic techniques and, on the other hand, of new and powerful theoretical approaches. From the observational point of view, numerous data are constantly flowing from space probes satellites and telescopes observing methane-rich environments and await detailed interpretation. This research is supported, in particular, by the National Research Agency (Agence Nationale de la Recherche ? ANR), e.g. via the project CH4@Titan involving four French laboratories.

All papers focusing on experimental spectroscopy of methane and methane-derived molecules, on theoretical calculations (effective Hamiltonians and transition moments, ab initio calculations, line positions and intensities, collisional broadening coefficients, etc.), analyses and simulations as well as applications to planetary atmospheres (radiative transfer, concentration measurements, atmospheric chemistry, etc.) are welcome. Main session topics will cover:

-          Experimental developments and new experimental results

-          Theoretical spectra modeling (line intensities and positions)

-          Line shape studies (both experimental and theoretical)

-          Reactivity of methane

-          Applications to the terrestrial atmosphere and remote sensing of pollutants

-          Applications to planetary and stellar atmospheres

SOC: V. Boudon, A. Coustenis, Alain Campargue, Vladimir Tyuterev, and Jeanna Buldyreva

LOC: Vincent Boudon, and Jeanna Buldyreva

The announcement and further information can also be downloaded here

Program of the Workshop: Download

List of Participants: Download

Abstract Book: Download

Presentations: http://www.icb.cnrs.fr/titan/CH42012.html

Date & Location:

November 5-7, 2012

Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria

Description of the Workshop:

EuroPlaNet RI is coming to its end next December 31, 2012, together with all its building activities. Among them IDIS, combination of a Service and a Joint Research Activity devoted to the preparation of the planetary VO.

Several EuroPlaNet Work Packages stated plans to deliver products to IDIS. One full day is reserved for presentations of each of these teams on what has been achieved, and previsions of deliveries for what remains to be done. Half a day will be devoted to IDIS experts of the VO who will present tools designed under JRA4 to publish data in the VO. Then a full day (November 7, 2012) will be devoted to a practical session aimed at using the VO tools for data providers.

SOC: M.T. Capria, G. Chanteur, S. Miller, H.O. Rucker, K. Szego, W. Thuillot

LOC: H.O. Rucker, M. Scherf, F. Topf

Agenda: Download

Participants List: Download

Presentations: 

• André, N. - Planetary Plasma Node
• Bollard, P. - GhoSST technical overview
• Capria, M.T. - Overview of SA-IDIS and future
• Capria, M.T. - Review of IDIS commintments
• Cecconi, B. - PSR-DM: The Eruoplanet IDIS data model
• Cecconi, B. - UCD for planetary sciences and heliophysics
• Erard, S. - Planetary Dynamic and Extraterrestrial Matter Node
• Feugeade, C. - Management & reporting guidelines
• Feugeade, C. - Schedule report RP3 & final report
• Giardino, M. - Small Bodies and Dust Node
• Grande, M. - NA4 overview and report
• Hauber, E. - Interiors and Surfaces Node
• Hauber, E. - JRA4 Task 3 status
• Hauber, E. - JRA1 report
• Khodachenko, M. - JRA3 report
• LeSidaner, P. - Tutorial for EPN-TAP
• LeSidaner, P. - Tutorial for TopCAT
• LeSidaner, P. - Files for the tutorial
• Miller, S. - Europlanet 2020 progress report
• Renard, B. - Connection of AMDA with IVOA tools
• Sarkissian, A. - Atmospheres Node
• Schmidt, W. - IDIS Technical Node
• Schmitt, B. - The GhoSST solid spectroscopy database
• Szego, K. - NA2 Science Networking and IDIS
• Topf, F. - The NA1 Matrix

Meeting Minutes: Download

Date & Location: 

October 22-23, 2012

Graz, Austria

Description of the Workshop:

A two day meeting led by Dr. Helmut Lammer from the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Europlanet Networking Activity 2 (NA2: Science Networking) and Networking Activity 1 (NA1: Observational Infrastructure Networking), building on the successful preceding Exoplanet Workshops under EuroPlaNet FP7, will take place during October 22-23, 2012 at IWF, Graz, Austria.

The workshop will be an update on the latest discoveries and studies, observations, modelling activities and proposals in the field of exoplanetary research in general, and in UV transits of exoplanets in special. The first day of the meeting will consist mainly on update talks, whose preliminary titles are listed below, whereas the second day is planned to be used for brought discussions on modelling efforts, studies and proposals of planned observations.

SOC: Helmut Lammer, Maxim Khodachenko

LOC: Helmut Lammer, Manuel Scherf

Agenda: Download

Report of the Workshop: Download

List of Participants: Download

List of Presentations:

• Ben-Jaffel, L. - HST far ultraviolet observations of HD 209458 & HD 189733
• Bisikalo, D. - 3D Gas dynamic simulation of the interaction between WASP-12b and its host star 
• Fossati, L. - A gas cloud around WASP-12 system?
• Kislyakova, K.G. - HD209458b. Modeling of the Ly-alpha observations
• Khodachenko, M. - Formation of magnetodisk-type current system in the escaping plasma flow of a Hot Jupiter
• Khodachenko, M. - Parametric study of sizes of Hot Jupiter magnetospheres with magnetodisks
• Lammer, H. - What can we learn from hot Jupiter environment observation/characterization for super-Earth and Exo-Earth-type planets 
• Odert, P., Leitzinger, M. - Radiation environment aound HD 209458b and HD 189733b
• Shaikhislamov, I.F. - Inflation of dipole field in laboratory experiments for simulation of Hot Jupiter magnetosphere
• Weber, C. - Radio emission from exoplanets

Date & Location:

August 29-31

University of Reims, Reims, France

First Circular: 

http://www.univ-reims.fr/site/evenement/asa-hitran/first-circular,13449,23356.html?

Second Circular:

http://www.univ-reims.fr/site/evenement/asa-hitran/second-circular,13796,23868.html?

Third circular:

http://www.univ-reims.fr/site/evenement/asa-hitran/gallery_files/site/1/1697/1713/28177/36190.pdf

Poster Session:

http://www.univ-reims.fr/site/evenement/asa-hitran/posters-sessions,14302,24770.html?

Participants List:

http://www.univ-reims.fr/site/evenement/asa-hitran/registered-participants,13675,23678.html?

Presentations:

http://www.univ-reims.fr/site/evenement/asa-hitran/list-of-oral-presentations,14435,24931.html?

Abstract Book: Download

Date & Location:

July 24 - August 02, 2012

Alpbach, Austria

The Summer School:

The Summer School Alpbach enjoys 35 years of tradition in providing in-depth teaching on different topics of space science & technology, featuring lectures and concentrated working sessions on mission studies in self-organised working groups. 60 young highly qualified European science and engineering students converge annually for stimulating 10 days of work in the Austrian Alps. 4 teams compete to design a space mission judged by a jury of experts. Students learn how to approach the design of a satellite mission and explore new and startling ideas supported by experts. The Summer School 2012 will focus on

"Exploration of the Giant Planets and their Systems"

The purpose of the Summer School is to foster the practical application of knowledge derived from lectures, to develop organisational and team-work skills and to encourage creativity. Teams will compete to design the best project, judged by an independent jury. The teams themselves are responsible for the selection of the subject of the project and for the team structure and working methods.

Prospective Summer school students will meet great challenges, such as in real life. These include 20-hour working days (before proposal submittal), sudden immersion into new fields and techniques, as well as the difficulties of forming and working together as a team, with scientists listening to engineers and engineers listening to scientists. However, on day ten, the reward will be a proposal for a unique space mission.

The Summer School Alpbach objectives

• motivating participants to seeing space as an exciting and challenging endeavour
• working in international, multi-disciplinary teams by posing challenging topics for designing space missions
• teach a range of scientific topics relevant to the range of possible science missions to design, and to teach about the different aspects of the complex interplay between scientific objectives and requirements on the one hand, mission- and spacecraft design as well as mission costing on the other hand
• to develop the ability to work in teams for a common end, to prepare presentations and reports under serious time constraints
• to develop a professional network
• to enjoy the ?Alpbach experience? that is quite unique

Link to the official website: 

http://www.summerschoolalpbach.at/index.php?file=start_uk.php

Student Presentations:

Orange Team: "iTOUR: Investigative Tour of Uranus"

• Report
• Presentation

Red Team: "NeTE - The Neptune Triton Explorer"

• Report
• Presentation

Blue Team: "Poseidon-Trident: Mission to the Neptunian System"

• Report
• Presentation

Green Team: "USE - Uranus System Explorer"

• Report
• Presentation

Jury Evaluation 2012

Lectures held at Summer School Alpbach 2012:

http://www.summerschoolalpbach.at/index.php?file=lectures.htm

Student Year Book 2012: Download

Jury Members and Lecturers 2012: Download

Lists of Participants:

• Students
• Lecturers, Jury & Tudors

Europlanet NA1-JRA1 Workshop:

The Meteoroid Flux in the Martian Satellite System - Models, Predictions, Observational Data, and Implications

Date & Location:

July 5-6, 2012

Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography (MIIGAiK)

Moscow, Russia

Description of the Workshop:

In their journey about the Sun, the terrestrial planets are bombarded by meteoroids, ranging in size from tiny dust particles to large boulders. This workshop is to explore models and observations of the meteoroid population in the Martian satellite system and possible implications.

The workshop will initially investigate evidence for the meteoroid flux on the surface of Mars and on its two satellites. We will review the observed asteroid and comet population intercepting the Martian orbit, and we will discuss the impact flux inferred from fresh impact craters on Mars, as identified in image data from the cameras of the orbiting MOC and MRO spacecraft. We will also study models of the impact flux on the tidally locked Phobos and Deimos, taking into account the orbital motion of the satellites as well as trailing- and leading-edge effects. The question of impact ejecta and dust, as well as the formation and survival of dust streams will be explored. Crater statistics for Phobos and Deimos will be examined to search for asymmetries of the global crater distribution. Also, the question of the orbital evolution of the two Martian satellites and implications for the meteoroid bombardment history will be addressed. We will also discuss questions on the origin and absolute ages of the satellites. The workshop will bring together astronomers, planetary scientists, as well as Phobos / Deimos experts to carry out a synthesis of all available information.

The workshop is the 6th in a series within the Europlanet NA1- meteor theme, following in the footstep of last year?s highly successful workshop on the Lunar Meteoroid Flux. With new missions to Phobos and Deimos currently being in the proposal and planning stage, the workshop  topic is very timely.

Local Organizing Committee, MIIGAiK:

Dr. Valery Lupovka (Head of Committe)Mikhail Semenov (Deputy Head)Dr. Irina KarachevtsevaVadim SizenkovVasily DmitrievSergey Dubov

Directions: 

- Kurskaya Metro Station, Trolleybus Lines A,10

- Baumanskaya Metro Station, Trolleybus Lines 25, 45


Address:
MIIGAiK #4 , Gorokhovsky pereulok 105064, Moscow, RUSSIA


Website: http:// www.miigaik.ru

Workshop Website:

http://europlanet.miigaik.ru/2012/English_version/

Agenda:

http://europlanet.miigaik.ru/2012/English_version/Program_of_the_s/

List of Participants: 

http://europlanet.miigaik.ru/2012/English_version/List_of_particip/

Presentations:

http://europlanet.miigaik.ru/2012/English_version/presentation/

Date & Location:

June 25-29, 2012

European Space Agency, ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

Description of the Symposium:

A moon is any solar system body that orbits a larger body other than sun. As of today, 170 moons orbit six of the eight planets, while 7 moons orbit three of the five dwarf planets. Numerous moons have been discoveredaround asteroids and Trans-Neptunian objects. Also, there are large numbers of small moons embedded within Saturn's rings. Understanding the formation and evolution of the natural satellites of the planets is important, as a pice of the wider puzzle concerning the formation and evolution of the solar system as a whole. Significant progress has been achieved recently on the formation of the Moon and of the regular satellites of the giant planets. However, many questions regarding the different formation mechanisms are still unanswered. The goal of the symposium is to review all possible scientific mechanisms for forming the moons, and for driving their subsequent evolutions, and their consequences on our current understanding of solar system formation and evolution. Topics will include the Earth-Moon system, Mars' Phobos and Deimos, the natural satellites of the giant planets and of Pluto and dwarf planets, ring-moon interactions, and the absence of moons around Mercury and Venus. Discussions will address the contributions of past and current missions, and ground-based observations, on future science mission goals.

Website: http://www.sciops.esa.int/index.php?project=CONF2011&page=MOONS

First Announcement: Download

Second Announcement: Download

Poster: Download

Agenda: http://www.sciops.esa.int/index.php?project=CONF2011&page=MOONSprogramme

Presentations and Abstract Book: http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=50583

List of Participants: Download

Date & Location:

May 23-25, 2012

Santorini, Greece

Description of the Workshop:

The main aim of this workshop is to discuss the ionospheric and magnetospheric processes at Jupiter and Saturn including: solar wind - magnetosphere interaction, rotation-driven magnetospheres, plasma interactions with moons, particle acceleration and reconnection, which give rise to precipitating energetic particles and auroral emissions at different wavelengths. We especially encourage contributions on the structure of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere of the outer planets. The workshop focuses on observational studies (i.e. Galileo, Cassini, New Horizons, Hubble Space Telescope, etc.) as well as modeling, simulations and theoretical approaches. Special emphasis will be given on the future coordinated planetary observations such as HST Jupiter and Saturn campaigns, the JUNO mission to Jupiter and the proposed JUICE/Laplace mission to the Jovian system.

The workshop will take placeat 'La Mer Deluxe' in Santorini, Greece, on 23-25 May 2012, under the support of the Europlanet NA1 and NA2 activity.

La Mer Deluxe Hotel: http://www.greekhotel.com/cyclades/santorin/kamari/la-mer-deluxe/home.htm

SOC: Dr. A. Radioti, Dr. D. Grodent, Prof. J.C. Gérard, Dr. N. Krupp, Dr. E. Roussos, and Prof. H.O. Rucker

Agenda: Download

Participants: Download

Report of the Workshop: Download

Presentations:

• Bagenal, F. et al. - "Mass & energy flow through the magnetospheres of Jupiter & Saturn - Update"
• Branduardi-Raymont, G. et al. - "Searching for Saturn's x-ray aurora: a novel strategy"
• Delamere, P.A. - "Saturn's interaction with the solar wind: clues from the thermal ion properties on the dawn flank"
• Dumont, M. et al. - "Observations of equatorward patchy auroral ultraviolet emissions"
• Gladstone, R. - "The Juno mission to Jupiter"
• Grodent, D. & the LPAP Team - "Short term studies of the giant planets aurorae"
• Gustin, J. et al. - "Saturn's temperature profiles at high, medium and low latitudes derived from UVIS occultations"
• Lamy, L. et al. - "Coming planetary radio observations in the low frequency domain"
• Lamy, L. et al. - "Detection and analysis of Uranus' aurorae with the Hubble Space Telescope"
• Lamy, L. et al. - "Mult-spectral simultaneous observations of Saturn's aurorae in Jan. 2009"
• Mitchell, D.G. & MIMI Team - "Characteristics of ion conics and electron beams associated with Saturn's aurora; and association between ring current enhancements and Saturn's aurora"
• Mottez, F. - "Theoretical models of auroral acceleration"
• Mottez, F. et al. - "What would we see in teh Io Jupiter flux tube?"
• Pryor, W. - "Cassini auroral planning discussion"
• Pryor, W. et al. - "Saturn night-side variability (focusing on 2009 278-282)"
• Radioti, A. et al. - "Equatorward auroral features: auroral signatures of injections"

Date & Location:

April 17-18, 2012

UCL, London, UK

Description of the Workshop: 

In June 2011 a small Working Group, supported by the Europlanet network of planetary scientists (www.europlanet-ri.eu), met at UCL to discuss setting up a ground-based observing programme in support of ESA?s Rosetta mission to Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

The Rosetta lander and orbiter will conduct the most detailed, close-quarters investigation that has ever been performed on a comet, and our aim is to augment these data by a variety of photometric and spectroscopic ground-based observations using instruments located around the world.

We will be hosting a two-day workshop at UCL beginning at lunch time on 17 April 2012 to discuss the nature of the ground-based contribution to Rosetta, and to plan a viable observing programme.

Agenda: Download

Participants: Download

Report: Download

List of Presentations:

• Howes, N. - The Faulkes Telescope, Rosetta Observational Project & Outreach
• Observation Plans
• Tokunaga, A. - NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and Mission Support
• Van Dishoeck, E.F. - From ISM to Comets

Date & Location:

March 19-21, 2012

ISSI Bern, Switzerland

Description of the Workshop:

A three day meeting related to the ISSI Team "Characterizing stellar and exoplanetary environments" led by Dr. Helmut Lammer from the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and the Europlanet Networking Activity 1 (NA1: Observational Infrastructure Networking) and Networking Activity 2 (NA2: Science Networking) initiative on advanced modelling and observational techniques related to exoplanet environments will take place at during March 19-21, 2012 at ISSI in Bern, Switzerland.

Recent observations with the Hubble (HST) and Spitzer Space Telescopes and theoretical studies of transiting exoplanets indicate that obtained spectra related to the upper atmospheres can be used to infer properties such as the thermosphere structure, the exosphere-magnetosphere-stellar plasma environment (e.g., superthermal ions, energetic neutral atoms ENAs), outflow of planetary gas including hydrogen atoms and heavy species such as carbon, oxygen and metals. Physical processes related to advanced numerical modelling techniques (Monte Carlo, test-particle, gas dynamic, MHD, hydrodynamic, radiation transfer, empirical, and thermal balance models) together with astrophysical observations of the radiation environment of exoplanet host stars (UV, X-rays, IR, etc.) will be discussed to understand the exoplanet upper atmosphere structures and exoplanet plasma-magnetosphere environment.

Available and future observations possibilities and observation strategies from transits by observatories such as Spitzer, HST/STIS/COS, WSO-UV, PLATO, EcHO will also be discussed.

Workshop Program: Download

Workshop Report: Download

Photo-compilation: Download

Participants:

Helmut Lammer - IWF, ÖAW, Graz, Austria
Igor Alexeev - Moscow State Univ., Moscow, Russia
Elena S. Belenkaya - Moscow State Univ., Moscow, Russia
Lofti Benjaffel - IAP, Paris, France
Dmitry Bisikalo - INASAN, RAS, Moscow, Russia
Joshua Chadney - Imperial Col. London, UK
Luca Fossati - Open Univ., Milton Keynes, UK
Malcolm Fridlund - ESA/ESTEC, The Netherands
Jean-Mathias Grießmeier - CNRS, Orleans, France
Manuel Güdel - IfA, Univ. Vienna, Austria
Eike Günther - Tautenburg Obs., Germany
Mats Holmström - IRF, Kiruna, Sweden
Moira Jardine - University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland,
Maxim L. Khodachenko - IWF, ÖAW, Graz, Austria
Kristina G. Kislyakova - N. I. Lob. State Univ. Nizhnij Novgorod, Russia
Tommi Koskinen - LPL, Arizona, USA
Jeff Linsky - Univ. Colorado, Boulder, USA
Ansgar Reiners - Univ. Göttingen, Germany
Ignasi Ribas - ICE, CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
Valery I. Shematovich - INASAN, RAS, Moscow, Russia
Aline A. Vidotto - SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. St. Andrews, UK
Brian Wood - Naval Res. Lab, Space Div., Washington D.C., USA
Ingo Müller Wodarg - Imperial Col. London, UK

Presentations:

• Ben-Jaffel, L. - "HI, OI, CII, ... Observations around the Upper Atmosphere of HD 209458b"
• Bisikalo, D. - "World Space Observatory - UV Stellar and Exoplanet Program"
• Bisikalo, D. - "Numerical Models to Study Star-Exoplanet Interaction: From Binary Stars to Hot Jupiter"
• Chadney, J. - "Gas-Giant Ionosphere under Solar and Stellar Radiation"
• Fossati, L. - "HST Observations of the Transiting Exoplanet WASP-12b"
• Grießmeier, J.-M. - "Magnetic Fields of Exoplanets: Strong or Weak? Part 1"
• Güdel, M. - "(High-Energy) Radiation Environment of Stars"
• Guenther, E.W. - "A Very Hot, Transiting Planet of a Rapidly-Rotating A5V Star: HD15082b (=WASP33b)"
• Holmström, M. - "ENA Observations in the Solar System and Beyond"
• Jardine, M. - "The Magnetic Structure and Dynamics of Stellar Coronae"
• Khodachenko, M.L. - "Magnetospheres of Close-In Giant Exoplanets: The Importance of Magnetodisks for Shaping of Magnetospheric Obstacles of 'Hot Jupiters'"
• Lammer, H. - "Terrestrial Exoplanet Atmospheres: Synergies from 'Hot Jupiter' Environment Observations and Studies"
• Mueller-Wodarg, I. - "Modeling of Exo-Space Weather: Lessons Learned from our Solar System"
• Ribas, I. - "Planet Detection around M Stars and New Results on the Time-Evolution of Stellar UV Fluxes"
• Shematovich, V.I. - "Suprathermal Hydrogen Produced by the DIssociation of Molecular Hydrogen in the Extended Atmosphere of Exoplanet HD 209458b"
• Vidotto, A.A. - "The WASP-12b Observed early ingress in the Near-UV: An Indication for a possible Magnetic Obstacle?"
• Wood, B.E. - "Observations of Astrospheres and Solar-like Stellar Winds"

Date & Location:

March 5-7, 2012

Paris Observatory, Paris, France

Description of the Workshop:

The 4th PHC/Sakura France-Japan workshop will take place in Paris Observatory on March 5-7, 2012 in conjunction with the 3rd Europlanet strategic workshop on coordinated ground-based measurements and modeling of the Venus atmosphere.

The workshop will address the following themes :

-  Coordination of ground-based observations and modeling in support of ESA's Venus Express mission during the 2012 elongations
-  International cooperation for current/future missions and techniques for comparative climatology of Venus' atmosphere
- Venus as a transiting exoplanet / Aureole and coronagraph observations on June 6, 2012

Agenda, List of Participants & Presentations:

www.lesia.obspm.fr/perso/thomas-widemann/venus/sakura2012.htm

Date & Location:

January 27-28, 2012

Austrian Academy of Sciences

Dr. Ignaz-Seipel-Platz 2

Meeting Room: "Sitzungssaal"

Vienna, Austria

First Announcement: Download

Preliminary Program: Download

Local Information:

• Vienna Airport Transfer
• City Airport Train
• Tourist Information

Abstracts:

• André, N., Access to planetary plasma data enabled by the CDPP AMDA tool: a service to the scientific community for the plasma physics node of Europlanet-RI IDIS
• Beisker, W., International campaigns for occultation astronomy - prerequisities, campaigns for events, and recommentations for the future
• Cecconi, B., VO infrastructure preservation and further evolutions
• Coustenis, A., Outer solar system infrared observations and techniques in support of European space exploration
• Davies, G., Distributed Trans National Laboratory Facilities: A continuing need by the planetary community?
• de Paper, I., Europlanet as seen from outside
• Falanga, M., ISSI-EPN Workshop books: a legacy for planetary sciences
• Gomez, F., TNA1: Earth analogues for space exploration
• Grande, M., EPSC after FP7
• Grömer, G., Europlanet education & outreach - the view from outside
• Gröschl, M., Europlanet outreach after FP7 Europlanet-RI
• Khodachenko, M. & S. Miller, Lessons from JRA3 and sustainability foresights
• Krupp, N., Scientific Working Groups in Europlanet and their self-sutainability
• Lammer, H., Observation, characterization and evolution of exoplanets and their host stars
• Lebreton, J.P., Has Europlanet contributed to the building of a European Planetary Science Community?
• Louarn, P. et al., Lessons from the management of Europlanet FP6 and FP7
• Mason, N., Europlanet - A pan European infrastructure for planetary science
• Miller, S. & A. Heward, Europlanet, the media, and policy makers
• Rucker, H.O. et al., NA1 Observational Infrastructure Networking: highlights and problems
• Scherf, M. et al., Observational facilities database within Europlanet and beyond
• Schmidt, W. & M.T. Capria, Europlanet-RI: Integrated and Distributed Information System (IDIS) for planetary research
• Schmidt, W. & E. Kallio, Sustainability of the modeling service infrastructures
• Southwood, D., What Europe needs to maintain/develop its position in planetary sciences
• Szego, K., Sustainability of Europlanet - External conditions
• Thuillot, W. & J. Oberst, The ESPaCe FP7-Program as an EPN-JRA1 extension
• Tomlin, R., Europlanet - What comes next?
• Tomlin, R., Keeping the name Europlanet
• Widemann, T., Networking of ground-based observations and techniques in support of European space exploration

Presentations:

• Nicolas André, Access to Planetary Plasma Data Enabled by the CDPP AMDA Tool ? A Service to the Scientific Community by the IWF/CDPP Plasma Physics Node of Europlanet-RI IDIS
• Wolfgang Beisker, International Campaigns for Occultation Astronomy ? Prerequisites, Campaigns for Events, and Recommendations for the Future
• Maria Teresa Capria - A Possible Future for IDIS
• Baptiste Cecconi, VO Infrastructure Preservation and Further Evolutions
• Athena Coustenis, Outer Solar System Infrared Observations and Techniques in Support of European Space Exploration
• Imke de Pater, Europlanet: As Seen from the Outside
• Maurizio Falanga, ISSI-EPN Workshop Books: A Legacy for Planetary Sciences
• Gernot Groemer, Europlanet Education & Outreach ? The View from Outside
• Martina Groeschl, Europlanet Outreach after FP7 ? Europlanet-RI: The National Node Network
• Anita Heward, Europlanet Outreach
• Norbert Krupp, NA2 ? Scientific Working Groups in Europlanet and their Self-Sustainability in the Future
• Helmut Lammer, Observation, Characterization and Evolution of Exoplanets and their Host Stars ? WG5 Activities, Outlook, Sustainability
• Jean-Pierre Lebreton, Has Europlanet Contributed to the Building of a European Planetary Science Community?
• Philippe Louarn, Europlant: Lessons from FP6 and FP7
• Nigel Mason, Europlanet ? A pan European Infrastructure for Planetary Science
• Steve Miller (on behalf of Maxim Khodachenko), JRA3 // WP 24 ? European Modelling & Data Analysis Facility (EMDAF)
• Steve Miller, The Future for EPSC and NA4 / Europlanet & Policy-makers
• Helmut O. Rucker, NA1 ? Observational Infrastructure Networking: Highlights and Problems
• Manuel Scherf, NA1 ? Observational Infrastructure Networking: Highlights and Problems
• Walter Schmidt, IDIS-Achievements during FP7
• Walter Schmidt (on behalf of Esa Kallio), Sustainability of the Modelling Service Infrastructures
• David Southwood, What Europe Needs to Maintain/Develop its Position in Planetary Sciences
• Karoly Szego, Sustainability of Europlanet in Horizon 2020
• William Thuillot, The ESPaCe FP7-Program as an EPN-JRA1 Extension
• Richard Tomlin, Horizon 2020 ? Perspectives for the Support of Planetary Sciences
• Richard Tomlin, Europlanet: What comes next?
• Thomas Widemann, Networking of Ground-based Observations and Techniques in Support of European Space Exploration

Workshop Minutes: Download

Participants: Download

Date & Location:

November 14-16, 2011

Moscow, Russia

Description of the Workshop:

This workshop, organized with the support of the FP7 Europlanet-RI program, will bring together scientific teams involved in planetary geodesy, dynamics, and ephemerides in the context of the space exploration. Spacecraft tracking data and astrometric observations from space have become crucial for dynamical modeling of planetary bodies and for production of accurate ephemerides. Also, space exploration missions bring us the unique possibility to obtain accurate planetary reference data, in particular shape-, rotation-, and gravity field models. The workshop will be orientated towards theoretical modeling, acquisition of observations, as well as methods for data reduction and analysis. The purpose of the workshop is also to reinforce or initiate possible new collaborations in these domains.

• List of Participants

• Program & Presentations

Further information on the Workshop can be found under http://europlanet.miigaik.ru/2011/English_version/

Date & Location:

June 28-29, 2011

London, United Kingdom

Agenda: Download

Description of the Workshop:

This workshop was held to organise a much larger workshop in Spring 2012 that will be used to assist in the planning of a worldwide campaign of ground-based and Earth-orbiting observatory measurements of Comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko in support of the European Space Agency's Rosetta Cornerstone Mission.

The workshop decided that this Rosetta Support Workshop should take place at University College London on April 17-19, 2012.

Rosetta was launched on March 2, 2004, has flown-by two asteroids, and is now in a dormant phase in preparation for its rendezvous with 67P in May 2014. At this point, the comet will be about 4AU from the Sun. Rosetta will put a lander on to the surface of the comet, and the main spacecraft will orbit it; both spacecraft and lander will make detailed measurements of the surface and inner coma.

The planning team - Rita Schulz, Stephen Lowry, Alan Fitzsimmons, Gunter Kargl, Walter Schmidt, Bob Barber, Andrew Coates, Anita Heward and Steve Miller - discussed the comet, its likely behaviour as it orbits in towards the Sun (perihelion August 2015 at 1.24AU) and post-perihelion; the mission is currently due to end in December 2015, when 67P will be 1.9AU from the Sun.

Ground-based measurements have already been carried out by several teams, and there is no intention of the planning to cut across or interfere with any future plans individuals or groups may have. Instead the team intend to make use of Europlanet NA1 to enable as widespread and effective support campaign as possible, to assist ESA and its Rosetta team in returning the maximum science for their investment.

The planning workshop has taken initial steps to identify key invitees to the April 2012 Rosetta Support Workshop. It has also identified some of the key challenges for ground-based observations - the relative faintness and inactivity of 67P, which make a good target for the spacecraft, but make it a difficult object to observe from the ground.

The planning workshop has discussed some of the observatories that could be used, should Telescope Allocation Committees and observatory management be agreeable. One key feature of cometary observations is the role that amateur astronomers may be able to play. These issues will be explored further in the April 2012 workshop.

Rosetta will also provide excellent opportunities for outreach and engagement, and this will also be a feature of the April 2012 workshop.

List of Participants: Download

Report: Download

Presentations:

• Lowry, S. - Reconnaissance Observations of Rosetta Target 67P/C-G
• Observing dates for Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
• ROSETTA Ground-Based Support: Potential Facilities
• Schulz, Rita - Update on Rosetta Mission

Date & Location:

May 23-27, 2011

FMI Helsinki, Finland

Description of the Workshop:

This workshop will discuss the potential of an entry, descent and landing technology that facilitates deployment of small payloads onto the Martian surface with high ratio of payload mass over the systems mass. The core issue in these discussions will be the inflateable entry and descent technology with a penetrator type of landing device. The principal individual workshop topics will be:

1. Mars landing infrastructure currently under development or planning
2. Advantages of the inflateable entry and descent technology
   
3. Mars landing missions making use of inflateable technology

Agenda: Download

The presentations and minutes (including list of participants) of the Workshop can be found under: https://europlanet-scinet.fi/?id=95

Date & Location:

May 31 - June 2, 2011

FMI Helsinki, Finland

Description of the Workshop:

The goals of this workshop are:

1. Discuss Europa science which could be done with in-situ measurements during close flybys and/or remotely from an orbit around Ganymede essentially from a particles and fields point of view. What could be learned from one or multiple flybys with result better than ones from Galileo? Is it worth flying-by if we cannot detect an ocean?
2. Discuss Ganymede in-situ science during elliptial (200x1000 km) and circular (5000, 500, 200 km) orbits around the moon. How many orbits minimum at what altitudes are nedded to characterize the environment of Ganymede? Do we need a 200 km circular orbit or would it be enough to make the 200 km measurements during the elliptical orbits?
3. Discuss magnetospheric science with one spacecraft in orbit around Jupiter. What trajectory, local time coverage, latitude etc. should be favored and why?

Further information on the Workshop can be found under: https://europlanet-scinet.fi/?id=97

Date & Location:

January 29-30, 2011

Graz, Austria

Description of the Workshop:

The Meeting will bring together interested professional amateur astronomers who have equipment which is capable to observe transiting exoplanets, with professional scientists working in the exoplanet field. The aim of the workshop is to discuss and prepare a coordinated observation campaign for follow-up observations of exoplanets (e.g. CoRoT planets). It is also planned to discuss similar coordinated observation campaigns in context of ground-based radio observations of active dwarf stars or Sun-like stars for obtaining informations on possible stellar CME outbreaks - relevant for habitability of terrestrial exoplanets.

It is planned that the observation results of these campaigns should be presented at the DPS and EPSC Joint Meeting 2011 La Cité International des Congrès Nantes Métropole 03-07 October 2011, Nantes, France.

SOC: Eike Guenther, Helmut Lammer, Joerg Weingrill

LOC: Maxim Khodachenko, Helmut Lammer, Manuel Scherf

Agenda: Download

List of Participants: Download

Report of the Workshop: Download

Presentations:

• Dangl, G. - "Observation Capabilities & Equipment"
• Guenther, E. - "CoRoT, Kepler, Plato: An Overview"
• Guenther, E. - "Follow-up Observations of the CoRoT Mission"
• Haukka, H. - "EuroPlanet Ri Network Activity 2 - NA2 Science Network"
• Khodachenko, M. - "Active Stars and Habitability"
• Leitzinger, M. & Odert, P. - "Past and Future Observations of CMEs-Flares in Radio and Optics of Active Young Solar Like Stars"
• Salmi, T. & Haukka, H. - "Research and Capabilities at the Taurus Hill Observatory"
• Scherf, M. - "Europlanet Supported Web-Platforms for Databases and Observation Campaigns"
• Schnabel, C. - "Activities and Capabilities of AAS"
• Veres, P. - "Observation capabilities and Equipment at the Astronomical Geophysical Observatory of the Comenius University"
• Weingrill, J. - "The CoRoT Exo-Pipeline: Planning Performing and Analyzing Observations of Exoplanets"

The agenda, list of participants and the presentations of the International Workshop on "Spectroscopy of methane and planetary applications" (November 8-10, 2010, Dijon, France) are available online, under the following links listed below:

Agenda (including abstracts): Download (pdf)

List of Participants: Download (pdf)

Presentations:

Talks:

• Anderson, C. - "Problems with collision-induced absorption involving CH4 on Titan"
• Boudon, V. - "State of the art of theoretical modeling of the absorption spectrum of methane for planetary applications"
• Brown, L. - "Methane for allreasons. Creating the next database"
• Cacciani, P. - "Collisional broadening study of CH₄ around 1.47 μm using off-axis cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy"
• Campargue, A. - "High sensitivity absorption spectrum of methane between 1.27 and 1.71 μm. Construction of the WKC empirical line lists and temperature dependence between 80K and 300K"
• Capalbo, F. - "Methane in Titan from Cassini/UVIS occultation measurements"
• Cassam-Chenai, P. - "A complete, second order, effective, rotational dipole moment operator for methane"
• Chesnokova, T.Y. - "Spectroscopic factors, influencing on methane total amount retrieval from the atmospheric radiation measurements in the 1,61-1,67 μm region"
• Coustenis, A. - "Methane opacity in Titan and other planetary atmospheres"
• Daumont, L. - "New assignments in the 2 μm transparency window of the ¹²CH₄ octad band system"
• de Bergh, C. - "First applications of new methane linelists to the modelling of Titan's spectrum in the 1.58 and 1.28 micron windows"
• Flasar, M. - "Can vertical profiles of tropospheric methane on Titan be derived from radio-occultation soundings?"
• Gabard, T. - "Calculated line broadening parameters for methane perturbed by nitrogen"
• Hartmann, J.M. - "Collisional effects on methane spectra"
• Hirtzig, M. - "Titan VIMS and ground-based near-IR"
• Kassi, S. - "CRDS at 80 K for CH₄"
• Mondelain, D. - "The spectrum of CH₃D in the 1.28 and 1.58 μm transparency windows of CH₄"
• Niederer, H.M. - "Analysis of the high resolution FTIR spectrum of methane ¹²CH₄ and ¹³CH₄ in the 0-4800 cm^-1 spectral region"
• Nixon, C. - "Isotopic evolution in Titan's methane"
• Ouk, C.M. - "Theoretical study of the electronic structure of CH₄ + N(²D) reaction and implications for atmospheric models of Titan"
• Ponomarev, Y. - "Study of shape of CH₄ triplets R(3) and R(9) in 2v₃ band due to collisions with molecules atoms"
• Rannou, P. - "Modelling of photometry to analyse VIMS observations"
• Tyuterev, V. - "Review of recent theoretical work on methane calculations in Reims team of the CH₄@Titan project"
• Votava, O. - "Low-J rotational assignments in the icosad region of methane. New insights from planar jet and cold cell experiments"
• Wang, X. - "Computing ro-vibrational levels of methane from the potential energy force field"
• Zvereva Loete, N. - "Dipole moment surface of the van de Waals complex CH₄-N₂"

Posters:

• Chesnokova, T.Y. - "Near-infrared radiative transfer modeling with different CH₄ databases to retrieve atmospheric methane total amount"
• Mikhailov, V.M. - "Methane and deuteromethane. New approaches to standard theory and experiments"

2nd Europlanet strategic meeting on cooordinated ground-based measurements and modeling of the Venus atmosphere

Date & Location:

November 9-10, 2010

Nordwijk, at ESTEC, The Netherlands

Description of the Workshop:

The main drive of this ground-based activity is to  develop and improve European-wide infrastructure to study the dynamics of the Venus mesosphere (70-120 km) and lower thermosphere ( > 120 km) using techniques that can only be accomplished from the ground (e.g. Doppler wind measurements on the day and night side of Venus, minor species distribution and abundance, requiring high spectral resolution in the visible, the infrared and sub-millimeter
wavelengths), and with a capability for uninterrupted monitoring of
atmospheric wave activity / rapidly varying phenomena. You are welcome  to further discuss coordination plans, modeling, ground-based observation 'wish-lists', future instrumentation, as well as any other topic of interest,  in the 'come-together' format we successfully experienced earlier in the year. This program is part of a Support Investigation program to the Venus Express mission, which has been extended by the European Space Agency to the end of 2012, as well as support to the coming Venus Climate Orbiter/Akatsuki JAXA mission. This integrated program is also relevant to proposals for a Joint Research Activities and the development of specific IDIS e-service data analysis tools in the framework of the Europlanet RI program. The NA-1 activity is particularly fit to the multi-site observational infrastructure and networking coordination between the participating European laboratories/institutes.

The purpose of the 2nd Workshop is to discuss:

1. science updates
2. updating the observation schedule 
3. future plans, in relation with Venus Express Mid-Term Planning for early 2011

Agenda & List of Participants: Download

The agenda, list of participants and the presentations of the 6th European Strategic Meteor Workshop - Flashes, Craters and Moonquakes: Exploring the Present-Day Meteor Impact Flux on the Lunar Surface(October 21-22, 2010, Berlin, Germany) are available online, under the following links listed below:

Agenda: Download (pdf)

List of participants: Download (pdf)

Presentations:

• Baratoux, D. - "Optimizing the detection capability of impact flashes"
• Bouley, S. - "International impact flashes monitoring network"
• Burchell, M.J. - "Laboratory simulations of Lunar impacts_ From astrobiology to Smart 1"
• Christou, A. - "The present day production of lunar craters from different approaches - an introduction to the WS"
• Kawamura, T. - "Impact flux asymmetries: Leading edge- and latitudinal effects"
• Koschny, D. - "Impacts on Jupiter"
• Lognonné, P. - "Moon seismology with impacts - Lessons from Apollo and plans for Lunette and Selene2"
• Madiedo, J.M. - "The Spanish lunar impact Observing network (TBD)"
• McEwen, A. - "Recent craters on Mars and Moon - Implications for the current impact rate"
• Oberst, J. - "Seismic detection of Lunar impacts and prospects for new data calibrations"
• Wuennemann, K. - "Cratering on the Moon: Insight from Numerical Modelling"

The agenda, list of participants and the presentations of the NA1 Workshop on  "Aeronomy of Jupiter's and Saturn's systems" (October 18-20, 2010, Liège, Belgium) are available online, under the following links listed below:

Agenda: Download (pdf)

List of participants: Download (pdf)

Presentations:

• Badman, S. - "Saturn's northern infrared aurora"
• Bagenal, F. - "Juno"
• Delamere, P.A. - "Solar wind interaction with the giant magnetospheres"
• Garnier, P. - "The Titan Exosphere and its ENA environment: Satellite particles"
• Grodent, D. - "Review UV aurora Jupiter / Saturn"
• Gustin, J. - "UVIS FUV spectra of Saturn's aurora"
• Jia, X. - "Temporal variability of Ganymede's magnetosphere"
• Jia, X. - "Global simulation of Saturn's magnetosphere under different solar wind conditions"
• Lamy, L. - "Saturn's radio auroral emissions, as characterized from their source regions"
• Radioti, A. - "On the origin of polar auroral arcs at Saturn"
• Schippers, P. - "Electron observations in Saturn's magnetosphere"
• Stiepen, A. - "Jupiter's visible nightside aurora observed with LORRI on New Horizons"
• Tao, C. - "Scientific goals of JMO"
• Tao, C. - "Origin of IR emission in Saturn polar region using UV/IR emission model"

International Workshop on "Spectroscopy of Methane and Planetary Applications"

Date & Location:

November 8-10, 2010

Dijon, France

Description of the workshop:

Many research groups in the world are presently working on methane spectroscopy, both for experimental and theoretical aspects, this interest being driven by strong needs for modeling observations of planetary atmospheres and surfaces. In particular, Titan data from the highly successful Cassini-Huygens mission, giant planets observations in general, as well as recent observations of extrasolar planets have revealed the urgent need to better understand the absorption spectrum of this molecule.

The purpose of this interdisciplinary workshop is to gather specialists of methane at the international level, in the fields of experimental and theoretical molecular spectroscopy, of Earth?s atmosphere and of planetology. All aspects of methane spectroscopy will be discussed: laboratory data, analyses and modeling of absorption spectra, needs for atmospheric purposes, modeling of planetary atmospheres and surfaces, reactivity of methane, etc.

Furthermore, and in accordance with the EUROPLANET NA1 activity, this Workshop aims to provide the science community with easy access to methane absorption databases resulting from ground-based laboratory instrumentation which significantly contributes to the data analysis of Cassini-Huygens data on Titan, therefore supporting and complementing that space mission.

For further information please visit the following website: http://www.icb.cnrs.fr/titan/CH42010.html

7th International Workshop on Planetary, Solar and Heliospheric Radio Emissions

Date & Location:

September 15-17

Meerscheinschloessl, Mozartgasse 3

8010 Graz, Austria

Aims & Scope:

Key topics of our workshop are the recent developments in the study of non-thermal radio emissions from the Sun, the five radio planets, the heliosphere, and potential radio emissions from exoplanets. Special emphasis is put on current missions like Cassini and STEREO, but also new findings from data of older missions like Voyager, Galileo, Wind or Ulysses are welcome. In addition to space-based observations, new developments in ground-based radio telescopes (e.g. LOFAR, FASR) will be matters of discussion, that should lead to a better coordination of ground- and space-based observations. Presentations should focus on physical properties of radio emissions like rotational modulation, fine structures in dynamic spectra, polarization as well as source direction, and theoretical modeling and simulation of plasma and magnetic processes leading to their generation. Key question for potential future missions like Juno, Solar Orbiter or the Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM) can also be addressed. Oral as well as poster presentations are welcome. Everybody is kindly asked to provide a written article about his/her presentation within a few months after the workshop. These written contributions will be reviewed to be published in 2011 in the proceedings of the workshop.

For further information please visit the following website: pre7.oeaw.ac.at/index.php

Flashes, Craters and Moonquakes: Exploring the Present-Day
Meteoroid Impact Flux on the Lunar Surface

Date and Location:

October 21-22, 2010

Berlin, Germany

The surface of the Moon is constantly bombarded by meteoroids ranging in size from submicron dust to comets and asteroids several kilometers across. As these impact the lunar surface, their kinetic energy is partitioned into: the production of plumes associated with a flash of light; the excavation of craters; the acceleration of impact ejecta; and the generation of seismic waves that propagate outwards and may act as sounding tools of the lunar interior. All of these effects are difficult to simulate or reproduce in the laboratory, yet they are ubiquitous in the solar system. Moreover, they are directly relevant to key topics in planetary science, namely the ages of planetary surfaces and the state of their interiors, and the origin and evolution of small bodies and dust.

Present and future missions to the Moon, such as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE), International Lunar Network (ILN), when combined with long-term, groundbase observations of lunar impact flashes, can deliver much-needed ground truth. The comparison of high-resolution images from LRO and the Apollo era will directly measure the present-day cratering rate for the first time. Concurrent observations of meteors in the Earth?s atmosphere provide the necessary context information on the meteoroids? speed, mass/size distribution, bulk properties, and flux profile.

This workshop will bring together the seemingly disparate fields of meteor astronomy, hypervelocity impact physics, dust exosphere modelling, cratering, planetary interior modelling and space instrumentation under the umbrella of the impact process. Participants will have the opportunity to become familiar with the different effects of impacts, the methods of measuring them, and the models used to understand them. The workshop will then explore the potential for future interaction between those fields with the goal that the knowledge from one discipline enhances, or even becomes the enabling factor to advance another. Finally, a plan will be put together featuring a schedule of actions and events with high interdisciplinary benefits to pursue this interaction.

Link to the Agenda & Presentations of the Workshop:

www.lesia.obspm.fr/venus-atm/

1st Europlanet Strategic Meeting on Cooordinated Ground-based Measurements and Modeling of the Venus Atmosphere

Date and Location:

Monday-Tuesday, 28-29 June 2010 10h-17h / 10h-12h

Paris Observatory

Description of the Workshop:

The main drive of this ground-based activity is to  develop and improve European-wide infrastructure to study the dynamics of the Venus mesosphere (70-120 km) and lower thermosphere ( > 120 km) using techniques that can only be accomplished from the ground (e.g. Doppler wind measurements on the day and night side of Venus, minor species distribution and abundance, requiring high spectral resolution in the visible, the infrared and sub-millimeter
wavelengths), and with a capability for uninterrupted monitoring of
atmospheric wave activity / rapidly varying phenomena. You are welcome  to further discuss coordination plans, modeling, ground-based observation 'wish-lists', future instrumentation, as well as any other topic of interest,  in the 'come-together' format we successfully experienced earlier in the year. This program is part of a Support Investigation program to the Venus Express mission, which has been extended by the European Space Agency to the end of 2012, as well as support to the coming Venus Climate Orbiter/Akatsuki JAXA mission. This integrated program is also relevant to proposals for a Joint Research Activities and the development of specific IDIS e-service data analysis tools in the framework of the Europlanet RI program. The NA-1 activity is particularly fit to the multi-site observational infrastructure and networking coordination between the participating European laboratories/institutes.

Workshop on "Aeronomy of Jupiter's and Saturn's systems"

Date and Location:

October 18-20, 2010

Centre Spatial de Liège (CSL)

University of Liège, Belgium

Description of the Workshop:

This workshop aims to discuss the structure of the upper atmospheres and ionospheres at Jupiter, Saturn and their satellites in combination with magnetospheric processes and auroral emissions. Special emphasis will be placed on a wide range of magnetospheric and ionospheric processes including: solar wind, rotation-driven magnetospheres, plasma interactions with moons, particle acceleration and reconnection, which ultimately give rise to precipitating
energetic particles and auroral emissions at different wavelengths. Particularly welcome are contributions on ionospheric chemistry involving perturbation of the thermal structure and interaction of hot atoms and particles with moon atmospheres. We will discuss similarities and differences between the relevant physical processes, chemistry and dynamics affecting the aeronomy of the outer planet systems. We encourage contributions on previous, current and upcoming in-situ and remote observations (i.e. Galileo, Cassini, New-Horizons, Hubble Space Telescope etc) as well as modelling, simulations and theoretical approaches. We will examine new questions that need to be addressed in future coordinated planetary observations such as HST Jupiter and Saturn campaigns, the JUNO mission to Jupiter to be launched in 2011 and the proposed EJSM mission to the Jovian system.

SOC: Prof. J.-C. Gérard, Dr. D. Grodent, Dr. A. Radioti, Prof. J. Saur and Dr. N. Krupp

Agenda

Outcome

Presentations:

• R.M. Killen - "Mercury's Exosphere: Observations Near & Far"
• J. Vaubaillon - "Modelling of meteoroid streams and the sporadic background"
• A. Christou - "Possible meteor streams at Mercury"
• V. Mangano - "Impulsive Meteoritic Vaporization and the Hermean Exosphere"
• V. Mangano - "Ground-based observations of the Hermean Exosphere with" the THEMIS solar telescope
• P. Wurz - "Monte-Carlo simulation of Mercury's Exosphere"
• S. Kameda - "IPD distribution and Hermean exospheric NA +MSASI onboard BepiMMO"
• K. Torkar - "Capabilities of the PICAM Instrument as Part of SERENA, the BepiColombo-MPO Hermean Environment Package"
• J. McAuliffe - "BEPICOLOMBO: Mission Overview (and Current Status?)" (part 1)
• J. McAuliffe - "BEPICOLOMBO: Mission Overview (and Current Status?)" (part 2)
• H. Lammer - The Hermean Exosphere: An Overview

Reports:

• R. Schwarz - "Astrophysical Themes"
• H. Zinnecker & G. Micela - "Status Report - PLATO Mission"
• H. Zinnecker - "Pathways Towards Habitable Planets"
• Pathways Conclusions

Exoplanet Roadmaps:

• "Worlds Beyond: A Strategy for the Detection and Characterization of Exoplanets"
• Artie Hatzes: "EPRAT - Exoplanetary Roadmap Advisory Team"
• Helmut Lammer: "Short Report - Roadmaps for Habitable Planet Search"
• Vincent Coudé du Foresto: "The BLUE DOTS Initiative - Elements for a Roadmap"

Future Missions:

• Pierre Baudoz: "Probing the Extrasolar Planet Diversity with SEE COAST"
• "New Worlds Observer - Seeking Earth-like Planets in Our Solar Neighbourhood"
• "SIM Lite Astrometric Observatory - From Earth-like Planets to Dark Matter"
• M. Shao: "SIM-Lite Update"
• Claude Catala: "PLATO - PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars"
• S. Jacquinod et al: "PEGASE Experiment for Research and Stabilization of Extreme Extinction - The PERSEE Testbed and its Beam Combiner"

Observations, Methods, Follow Up:

• David Kipping, Steve Fossey, Gianmarco Campanella: "The Detectability of Habitable Exomoons"
• H. Lammer et al: "The Relevance of the Planetary Density to the Thermal Mass Loss of Close-in Exoplanets"
• "Satellite Meeting - Designating Habitable Planets for Follow-up Study: What are the Relative Parameter Spaces of RV and Astrometry? (P2 Panel)"
• Ignas Snellen: "Secondary Eclipses in the PLATO Era"
• Alessandro Sozzetti: "BDT Transits Working Group Review"
• Joerg Weingrill et al: "Detection of Super-Earth around Transiting Stars"
• Zinnecker: "How to Consolidate our Efforts"
• O. Apsil & C. Eiroa: "P3 Panel: Exozodiacal Disc"
• M. Booth et al: "How Common are Extrasolar Heavy Bombardments"
• R. Schwarz et al: "Habitable Planets in compact Close-in Planetary Systems"
• Marie-Christine Maurel: "Life Elsewhere (?): A Biologist's Perspective"

Saturn aeronomy: What observations do we need to make?

Date and location:

Friday, September 25, 2pm - 6pm

International Space Science Institute (ISSI)

Hallerstraße 6

3012 Bern

Switzerland

Description of the workshop:

This workshop will deal with the issues arising from the scientific discussions of the ISSI Saturn Aeronomy workshop which will run from September 21-25. It will identify the space and ground-based observations required to answer outstanding questions concerning the energy crisis in Saturn's neutral atmosphere, the "average" Saturnian ionosphere, and the variability that is being observed.

NOTE: Europlanet NA1 will be able to support a limited number of attendees to this workshop who are not already at the main ISSI workshop. Applications for partial funding should be made to Steve Miller by email: s.miller[at]ucl.ac.uk by August 31, 2009.

Date and location:

Wednesday, September 16, 5h30 pm

Meeting Location: Room WR1

EPSC 2009 Potsdam, Germany

Description:

Session SM2: NA1 Networking Meeting

During the next four years, Europlanet RI will organise a series of workshops aimed at improving the coordination between space missions and ground-based observations. These workshops will be organised by the Networking Activity NA1 ?Observational Infrastructure Networking?. Based on the work carried out in the past few years, key topics for the workshops will be Planetary Aurorae, Small Solar System Objects, and Airless Bodies in the Solar System. Other topics will be chosen on the basis of interest and topicality. This EPSC session is an essential forum for information exchange and discussion for all those who wish to be involved with the NA1 workshop programme. Abstracts are welcome for ideas input.

Convener: H.O. Rucker (rucker[at]oeaw.ac.at)

Co-Convener: S. Miller (Ucapt0s[at]ucl.ac.uk)

Agenda:

1.  Welcome

2.  17:30-17:45 / T. Wideman, M. Sornig, G. Sonnabend, E. Lellouch, D. Luz, D. Gaulme, P. Hartogh, M. Rengel, and H. Sagawa: 

A European Coordinated Network for Ground-based Observations of Venus

3.  17:45-18:00 / H.O. Rucker, and S. Miller:

NA1: Observational Infrastructure Networking

4.  18:00-19:00 Discussion

See http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2009/session/1817 for additional details.