Government of India
Department of Science & Technology
(SERC Division)

Announces organization of the  DST-SERC school on SPACE WEATHER as one of  a series of five SERC Schools in “Atmospheric  and Space Sciences” and call for participation in the  SERC School on “SPACE WEATHER”  (7^th - 27^th April   2010)

The Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, supports research and development in certain thrust areas of Atmospheric Sciences. The Program Advisory Committee on Atmospheric Sciences has recommended in view of the need to create wider interest among young scientists, that five SERC schools be held in different areas of Atmospheric and Space Sciences.

The DST-SERC School on “SPACE WEATHER” is one of this series of five SERC Schools in Atmospheric and Space Sciences. This school on “SPACE WEATHER” to be conducted at Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), Navi Mumbai during 7^th-27^th April 2010 aims to educate and motivate young talented research students from universities/colleges/institutions to take up research in areas related to “Space Weather”.

The conditions prevailing in the near space environment of our planet earth are influenced by the energy released from the Sun in a broad spectrum of electromagnetic radiations and particle emissions from the outer atmosphere of the Sun. “Space Weather” refers to conditions on the Sun, in interplanetary space and in geospace consisting of earth’s magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere, that can influence the performance of space-borne and ground based technological systems, and can endanger human life or health. During the last three decades, advancements in technology have provided opportunities to probe the ionosphere, magnetosphere and the solar variability much more effectively. At present, understanding the highly complex nature of solar–terrestrial interaction processes is a challenging area in Space Sciences. In this context, the topics to be covered during the school on “SPACE WEATHER” would be apt for creating awareness among young researchers about the current status of research in all these areas, which go into the making of SPACE WEATHER.

Broadly, the following topics will be covered during the School:

1. Physics and Dynamics of the Solar Atmosphere
2. Solar Transient phenomena
3. Solar and interplanetary observations
4. Sun-Earth interaction processes and the earth’s magnetic field
5. Geomagnetic Disturbances : Storms and substorms
6. Effects of magnetic activity on ionosphere and thermosphere
7. Ionospheric Irregularities
8. Magnetic Observatory Instruments
9. Observational techniques of probing the ionosphere
10. Climatology of Ionospheric Prediction
11. Space Weather Applications

The faculty of the School will consist of eminent scientists/teachers drawn from various scientific institutions and universities in the country.

For this School, 40 participants from all over the country will be selected based on the following criteria:

(a) A first class postgraduate degree of M.Sc. / M.Tech. in Geophysics / Physics / Applied Mathematics / Space Science / Atmospheric Science or equivalent; or B.E / B.Tech. in the above disciplines with 2 years experience in relevant aspects of the subject. Experience in handling experimental facilities / equipment will be given additional weightage.
(b) Age limit would be 35 years as on 31st March 2010. However, it can be relaxed for interagency nominees.
(c) Hands-on experience with computer would be desirable.
(d) Grades obtained in the previous SERC Schools on topics relevant to this school, if attended by the applicant will have extra weightage for selection.

Applications as per proforma given below should be sent through proper channel to:

The Course Director
DST-SERC School on “SPACE WEATHER”
Indian Institute of Geomagnetism
Plot No. 5, Sector-18, Kalamboli Highway
New Panvel, Navi Mumbai- 410 218
Phone:+91-22-27484000 / 27484005 / 27484147
Fax:+91-22-27480762
E-mail: dssspw@iigs.iigm.res.in ,
so as to reach on or before 15^th January  2010.

An e-mail version of the completed application may also be sent in advance to dssspw@iigs.iigm.res.in. The candidates selected will be paid actual travel fares limited to AC-3 tier rail fares and D.A. as per Government of India (GoI) norms.

Download the Proforma for Application
(Last date for receipt of application: 15^th January  2010)