National Space Agency of Ukraine (NSAU) · Taras Shevchenko Kiev University ·

IKI, Russian Academy of Sciences · Space Research Institute NASU & NSAU, Ukraine

For a long time it was argued that the circumterrestrial space with its complicated and dynamical plasmas is a giant natural laboratory for studies of real astrophysical plasmas. This becomes true now due to achievements of experimental and theoretical studies based on the data from unprecedented "space fleet" of high altitude satellites of the ISTP which includes GEOTAIL, WIND, POLAR, SOHO, ACE and four INTERBALL satellites together with several lower orbit satellites such as AKEBONO and FAST, and cooperating ground-based geophysical observatories all over the world.

This new wealth of high quality multipoint data of various kinds, together with recent developments in theory and modeling, allows to achieve a much deeper understanding of the powerful processes in the near-Earth's space. At the same time they allow to advance the general plasma physics because some of the limitations inherent in laboratory plasma devices, such as wall effects, temporal and spatial scales, in space are either different, or absent at all. Effective cooperation between the satellites' teams and data exchange has started through INTERNET and by direct contacts between the scientists involved. This makes coordinated efforts especially fruitful. It may be noted that dedicated numbers of scientific journals for the INTERBALL Project results are already published (Ann. Geophys., v.15, N 6, 1997 and v.16, N 9, 1998; Cosmic Research, v.36, N 1, N 3 and N 6, 1998; Czechoslovak Journal of Physics, v.49, N 4a, April 1999, and, now being submitted, Cosmic Research, v.37, N 6, 1999). Besides many papers using INTERBALL data are already published in other journals. An important task is to stimulate further the fruitful analysis of these multi-point measurements, modeling and theoretical efforts to deepen the understanding of space plasmas, exchange of results and ideas.

A series of fruitful and informative WORKSHOPS, or Symposia, dedicated to these tasks was already successfully organized and performed. The last three were held in near Helsinki, Finland (February, 1998), in Kosice, Slovakia (September, 1998), and in Zvenigorod, Russia (February, 1999). As a part of these efforts we plan to organize in February, 2000, in Kiev, Ukraine, a topical Workshop, or Symposium, "From solar corona through interplanetary space, into Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere". It will be mostly based on the recent INTERBALL results, but certainly will include results of other space projects on these topics. The total amount of participants expected is about 100-150. (The estimate is based on the experience in our preceding 1999 Workshop in Zvenigorod).

The beautiful and old city of Kiev will provide good accommodation and will make possible to widen the audience by many young talented scientists and students from Ukraine and other FSU countries, to facilitate contacts of western researchers in the field of Solar-Terrestrial Physics with the FSU scientific institutions and Universities involved in space physics. We expect fruitful discussions of many new scientific results obtained, stimulation of the mutual data exchange and scientific cooperation in their analysis. We plan to discuss briefly some perspective FSU space projects in the magnetospheric physics and possible international cooperation in their accomplishment.

PRELIMINARY SUGGESTIONS FOR THE MAIN SCIENTIFIC TOPICS

1. Solar Wind and IMF Features, Plasma Clouds, and Their Interaction with Outer Magnetosphere and Aurora.

2. Magnetopause, LLBL, CUSP/CLEFT, and Boundary Layer Phenomena.

3. Tail Structure and Plasma Acceleration - Spontaneous Reconnection: Substorms, BBF, Bursty Convection, Stationary And Dynamical States.

4. Inner Magnetosphere: Ground-Based Observations, Low - and Mid-Altitude Satellites, Geostationary Orbiters.

5. Thermal and Superthermal Plasma in the Magnetosphere.

6. "Space Weather" - Effects, Models and Applications.

7. Space Instrumentation - Recent Trends.

8. Spacecraft Control and Data Acquisition.

9. Data Processing, Archiving and Dissemination.

10. New Space Projects - Progress Reports.

The detailed list of these topics with the names of the panel discussion organizers will be placed on the workshop homepage

(http://space.ups.kiev.ua/iballconf and http://www.iki.rssi.ru).

We would be grateful for your comments, additions and corrections to the preliminary proposals for the Program of the Kiev Symposium.

Symposium will be held at the center of Kiev. The capital of Ukraine is situated on the picturesque banks of the Dnipro river. Kiev is famous for its historical places and gardens. Winter is usually mild with the temperatures about -10 C .. +3 C in February.

At the meeting home page you will also find social information about KIEV, sightseeing possibilities in this area, and the approximate cost of accommodation.

In order to help in organization of the Symposium we kindly ask you to send the preliminary registration form indicating your interest by e-mail to

conf@galaxy.ups.kiev.ua (reserved address: interball@space.is.kiev.ua )

before 15 July 1999.

We look forward for active participation of scientists from the Space Plasma Physics community in the cooperative data analysis of the INTERBALL measurements and related modeling and theoretical research.

L.M.Zelenyi, INTERBALL Project Coordinator.

V.N.Ivchenko, O.P.Verkhoglyadova, Local Organizing Committee.

For further information, please contact:

Olga Verkhoglyadova (Secretary of the LOC),

Dept. of Astronomy and Space Physics, Kiev University,

Glushkova, 6, Kiev 252022, Ukraine

Phone/Fax: +380(44) 266-4507

E-mail: conf@galaxy.ups.kiev.ua or directly verkh@galaxy.ups.kiev.ua

(reserved address: interball@space.is.kiev.ua )