The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) has been given the green light for implementation by ESA's Science Programme Committee. SMILE will explore the Sun-Earth connection in a very novel way, by mapping solar wind-magnetosphere interactions in soft X-rays. SMILE is a joint mission by ESA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CSA). The UK is one of many countries contributing to the payload development.
The SMILE payload comprises four instruments: a soft X-ray imager (SXI), a UV auroral imager (UVI) and an in situ measurement package composed of a light ion analyser and a magnetometer. The UK leads SXI, Canada leads UVI, and China leads the ion analyser and magnetometer. SMILE will fly in a highly elliptical polar orbit with an apogee of 20 Earth radii to image the magnetosphere and the Northern Lights for more than 40 hours continuously per orbit. The launch is planned in November 2023.
For more information, visit the European Space Agency, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, or Mullard Space Science Laboratory.
The UK Solar Orbiter Workshop is to be held on 3–4 June 2019 at University College London. For more details, visit the conference website, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or click here to register. All members of the UK solar physics community interested in the Solar Orbiter mission goals are encouraged to attend, and registration will close on 15 May 2019. Due to venue limitations the number of participant is capped, and early registration is encouraged.
Solar Orbiter is an ESA/NASA mission designed to answer some of the key questions in heliophysics, from the origin and variability of the solar wind to the link between solar eruptions, magnetic fields and energetic particles. Solar Orbiter will have a unique combination of in-situ and remote-sensing instruments, probing the atmosphere close to the Sun in and out of the ecliptic plane. The modeling of the magnetic environment that will be experienced by the satellite and its connection to the Sun will be key to the success of both the in-flight operations as well as to the mission’s scientific goals.
With the launch of Solar orbiter scheduled for February 2020, the UK solar Orbiter Workshop aims to bring together the expertise of the UK solar community in magnetic modeling and model validation, to increase the UK impact on the international efforts in preparation for Solar Orbiter operations, and to coordinate the UK efforts for the exploitation of the satellite observations.
Following the huge success of Interact 2017, this landmark symposium will be returning as Interact 2019 on Wednesday 4th September 2019 at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston, Lancashire. Click here for registration details and to find out more.
Spanning the physical and life sciences this event offers something for everyone with an interest in improving their public engagement capabilities. It will provide a fantastic opportunity to learn new ways to engage with your audience, explore the barriers to engagement and discuss how the engagement landscape is changing. But above all, it will be a chance to share your experiences with like-minded people in a fun and friendly environment.
The STFC, IOP, SEPnet, RSC, RAS Ogden Trust and UCLan are partnering together to develop an inspiring, challenging and refreshing programme on the following key themes:
The detailed content of the day will be co-created and you will be able to vote on proposals by fellow delegates, so get your thinking caps on!