AGU Chapman Conference on Effects of Thunderstorms and Lightning in the Upper Atmosphere

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
10–15 May 2009

Conveners

Davis D. Sentman, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK (dsentman@gi.alaska.edu)
Victor P. Pasko, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (vpasko@psu.edu)
Jeff S. Morrill, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC (jeff.morrill@nrl.navy.mil)

Program Committee

Elisabeth Blanc, CEA, France, International Space Station
Steven Cummer, Duke University, VLF Observations
Martin Fullekrug, Bath University, United Kingdom, ELF Observations
Umran Inan, Stanford University, VLF Observations
Elizabeth Kendall, Stanford Research Institute, Optical Observations
Walter Lyons, FMA Research, Meteorology
Stephen Mende, UC, Berkeley, Spectroscopy
Gennady Milikh, University of Maryland, Theory
Torsten Neubert, Danish Nat. Space Center, Denmark, Optical Observations
Colin Price, Tel Aviv University, Israel, ELF Observations
Craig Rodger, Otago University, New Zealand, VLF Observations
Robert Roussel-Dupre, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Theory
Fernanda Sao Sabbas, IPNE, Brazil, South American Research
David Smith, University of California, Santa Cruz, TGF observations
Han-Tzong Su, National Chen Kung Univ., Taiwan, Satellite Observations
Yukihiro Takahashi, Tohoku University of Japan, Photometry
Michael Taylor, Utah State University, SA Observations, Airglow
Earle Williams, MIT, ELF Observations

Conference Objectives

The Conference will cover topics across the full spectrum of disciplines relevant to the subject, ranging from the underlying meteorology of sprite-associated lightning, gas breakdown and discharge processes, electromagnetic effects, energetic processes, and photochemical, kinetic and transport mechanisms.

Specific Conference goals are to:

Bring together active researchers in the field to assess and review the current state of both experimental and theoretical research.
Encourage the exchange of ideas.
Identify key theoretical problems and coupling processes of possible relevance to the larger geophysical system.
Discuss ideas on possible new types of measurements that could help elucidate key aspects of underlying physical processes.

Expected Participation

It is anticipated that ~100–120 researchers will attend this conference, with a mix of ~50% by invitation, ~50% contributed, with 30% being young investigators (‹ 5 years since PhD).

Conference Format and Topics

The conference will open with registration and a reception on Sunday, 10 May 2009. There will be four full days of scientific sessions beginning on Monday morning, 11 May and running through Thursday, 14 May. The following is a very preliminary agenda and is subject to change based on the abstracts received for the Conference.

One full day will be devoted to each of four major topics. There will be morning and afternoon sessions for each topic with each broken into two 2-hour segments separated by a break. Invited and contributed talks will be interspersed throughout each session, with allowance made for significant discussion within each session.

Monday, 11 May

Observations of Transient Luminous Events: Recent Advances and Future Prospects
(Field and satellite experiments, optical/infrared/UV, FUV, morphology, infrasound, etc.)

Tuesday, 12 May

Theory of Transient Luminous Events: Recent Advances and Future Prospects
(Optical/infrared/UV/FUV emissions, streamers, chemical effects)

Wednesday, 13 May

ELF/VLF Effects of Lightning and Transient Luminous Events
(Observations and Theory)

Thursday, 14 May

Energetic Radiation From Lightning, and Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes
(Observations and Theory)

Poster sessions concurrent with the topic of each day will also be held. Posters provide opportunities for participants to interact intensively in an informal setting. All posters will be on display for the duration of the conference, if space permits. Poster presenters will be asked to provide a 4–5 minute oral presentation, including one visual, of their work summarizing the main results. Poster session chairs will highlight posters that are relevant to the daily topic and will ask those authors to be present at their posters for one hour in the evening.

Deadlines

1 May (Tue), 2008	First announcement
1 Oct (Wed), 2008	Second announcement Open for abstract submission (see below*)
18 Jan (Sun), 2009	Close of abstract submission Deadline for application for travel support (see below*) Open for reserving hotel accommodations
18 Feb (Wed), 2009	Notification of abstract acceptance Early registration opens Application deadline for travel assistance
15 Mar (Sun), 2009	Registration deadline for inclusion in Book of Abstracts
31 Mar (Tue), 2009	Final announcement
2 Apr (Thu), 2009	Housing application deadline (see below*)
2 Apr (Thu), 2009	Late registration opens
1 May (Fri), 2009	Receipt of manuscripts for Special Issue of JGR-Space Physics

Abstract Submissions

*Abstract submission window: 1 Oct (Wed), 2008 – 18 Jan (Sun), 2009

Abstract submissions are now open and instructions are now available.

Travel Support

*Travel and Other Financial Support: 18 Jan (Sun), 2009

The conveners are pursuing financial assistance for student travel and other forms of appropriate conference support. Financial support for the conference will depend on these fund raising efforts and commitments from the potential cosponsors. Updated information on financial assistance will be provided here, once available. Graduate students and young scientists will be given priority for financial assistance.

Conference attendees from foreign countries are encouraged to seek travel assistance from their respective home countries.

If Letters of Invitation are required to attend this meeting, this can be arranged with AGU upon request. Instructions for how to request a Letter of Invitation may be found at http://www.agu.org.

Venue

Conference Venue: Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel

The Penn Stater Conference Center offers excellent accommodations and amenities. Enjoy complimentary airport transportation and hotel parking, smoke-free rooms, wireless high-speed Internet access, and refrigerators. The fitness center offers aerobic and nautilus equipment, 3-lane lap pool and whirlpool for your convenience as well.

Housing

*Housing Application Deadline: 2 April 2009

Group accommodations are arranged at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel (http://www.pshs.psu.edu/PennStater).

Room amenities will include cable TV with movie channels, free high-speed wireless Internet access, mini-refrigerator and wet bar , work space with data ports, phone with voicemail and multiple lines, hairdryer, toiletries, iron, ironing board, coffeemaker.

Housing reservations for the conference will open on 18 January (Sun), 2009. Individuals will be able to reserve housing via the Penn Stater website or by calling a toll-free 800 number. Detailed instructions for reserving accommodations will be available in a future announcement.

Conference Proceedings

It is anticipated that the presentations of the conference participants will be published as a collection of articles in a Special Section of the Journal of Geophysical Research. Details on the publication of conference presentations will be updated in the near future. Invited Speakers agree to submit a paper for publication as a condition of acceptance.

Further Information

If you would like to receive future updates about this conference, e-mail chapman-thunderstorms@agu.org. For information about the scientific program, please contact one of the Conference conveners via e-mail.

Davis D. Sentman, (dsentman@gi.alaska.edu)
Victor P. Pasko, (vpasko@psu.edu)
Jeff S. Morrill, (jeff.morrill@nrl.navy.mil)