ABOUT
Heliophysical : A
broadening of the concept "geophysical," extending the connections from
the Earth to the Sun & interplanetary space. On the 50th anniversary of
the International Geophysical Year, the 2007 IHY activities will build
on the success of IGY 1957 by continuing its legacy of system-wide
studies of the extended heliophysical domain.
IHY's Objectives: How they link
to our science?
IHY builds on the success of the
International Geophysical Year and the previous International Polar Years. We
now extend our global studies out into the Heliosphere and incorporate the
drivers of geophysical change into the global system. As we approach the "new
frontier" of the heliopause and interstellar space, our heritage clearly extends
back to previous International Years:
The Primary Objectives of IHY
are :
- Advancing our Understanding
of the Heliophysical Processes that Govern the Sun, Earth and Heliosphere
- Continuing the tradition of
international research and advancing the legacy on the 50th anniversary of
the International Geophysical Year
- Demonstrating the Beauty,
Relevance and Significance of Space and Earth Science to the World
IHY's priorities are set via its
three primary objectives. The first objective, "Advancing our Understanding of
the Heliophysical Processes that Govern the Sun, Earth and Heliosphere," focuses
on our scientific activities.
The second objective, "Continuing
the tradition of international research and advancing the legacy on the 50th
anniversary of the International Geophysical Year," refers to our commitment to
preserving the history and
legacy of the IGY and our cooperation with other IGY anniversary programs.
The third objective,
"Demonstrating the Beauty, Relevance and Significance of Space and Earth Science
to the World" reminds us of the tremendous opportunity in 2007-8 for outreach
and education.
In order to satisfy
our first objective, we have established a set of
Science
Goals. Scientists from each of the relevant
scientific disciplines will participate in a wide variety of IHY
Coordinated Investigation
Programmes, driving towards a more complete understanding of
heliophysical
universal
processes. We have divided the universal processes into
five
primary themes to facilitate analysis and discussion.
Science Goals
The IHY science team has developed a
set of science goals. These were defined so that we focus on the unique
scientific and educational opportunities provided by IHY, with the goal of
establishing the future direction and focus of heliophysical research.
The goals of IHY are:
1. Develop the basic science of
heliophysics through cross-disciplinary studies of universal processes.
2. Determine the response of terrestrial and planetary magnetospheres and
atmospheres to external drivers.
3. Promote research on the Sun-heliosphere system outward to the local
interstellar medium - the new frontier.
4. Foster international scientific cooperation in the study of heliophysical
phenomena now and in the future.
5. Preserve the history and legacy of the IGY on its 50th Anniversary.
6. Communicate unique IHY results to the scientific community and the
general public.
Scientific Disciplines
IHY's scientific activities will
be organized via Coordinated
Investigation Programmes (CIPs). We will drive towards a more complete
understanding of the
universal
processes that govern the Sun, Earth, planets and heliosphere. This will
involve scientists from a variety of disciplines:
- Solar Physics
- Planetary Magnetospheres
- Heliosphere and Cosmic Rays
- Planetary Ionospheres,
Thermospheres and Mesospheres, and
- Climate Studies
- Heliobiology
The analysis and discussion of the
CIPs will focus on the fundamental underlying physics of each phenomenon, and
will facilitate discussion between the different disciplines by focusing on the
relationships between these phenomena and the commonalities in the physical
processes. This will allow researchers to plan and participate in
cross-disciplinary studies, culminating in a greater understanding of
fundamental universal processes.
reference :
NASA IHY 2007 web site