General Information

Directions in Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere Research

A Vision for Aeronomy in the Earth-Sun System

Feb. 10-12, 2009

The Portofino Hotel, Redondo Beach, Calif.

The Aerospace Corporation will host a conference to discuss directions in ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere (ITM) research. The conference builds on the groundwork established during the 2007 Space-Based Ionosphere-Thermosphere Research (SBITR) conference.

The conference provides a forum for achieving further consensus on ITM research goals. This realm of the Earth-Sun system holds great interest for the operational community and the research community. Contributions to the conference from both communities are encouraged. 

The conference will proceed by first discussing the most urgent and important “big picture” questions from both communities. Questions are framed within the three thematic areas established by the SBITR conference: mass exchange, electrodynamic coupling, and chemical-dynamic coupling. New directions, which will enable progress on these questions, will include updates on strategies of stakeholder agencies and other entities.

The conference will culminate in a panel discussion. The results of the conference will be put forth as consensus products that can be used to inform the stakeholder communities, as well as to guide investment strategies and plans. Participants should come prepared to assist in developing these products.

Details
The format of the three-day conference is a sequence of oral and poster presentations, plus a plenary panel discussion. Participation is open to all, subject to a 150-person attendance limit. Contributed presentations are highly desired. Titles and abstracts for talks can be submitted by e-mail to ITMR@aero.org.

Topics
Challenges in ITM science and applications
Important results from recent research
New research infrastructure: missions and facilities
Strategic plans for implementation: meeting products

Milestones
Jan. 23, 2009:           Deadline for submission of abstracts
Jan. 26, 2009:           Finalization of program

Organizers
J. Clemmons, The Aerospace Corporation
P. Anderson, University of Texas at Dallas
W. Bristow, University of Alaska
K. Hand, The Aerospace Corporation
O. de la Beaujardiere, Air Force Research Lab
T. Immel, University of California, Berkeley
J. Kozyra, University of Michigan
A. Mannucci, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
L. Paxton, Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory
R. Pfaff, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
A. Ridley, University of Michigan
R. Robinson, National Science Foundation
S. Solomon, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
J. Spann, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
J. Thayer, University of Colorado
R. Walterscheid, The Aerospace Corporation