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Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
409
H
Request for Information from the Community
The request for information from the solar and space physics community is reprinted below.
To:
Members of the Solar and Space Physics Community
From: Daniel Baker and Thomas Zurbuchen, Chair and Vice Chair of the 2013-2022
NRC Decadal Survey in Solar and Space Physics
Date: September 10, 2010
Background: As you may know, the Space Studies Board of the National Research Council (NRC) is beginning to organize
the next “decadal survey” in solar and space physics (heliophysics). This community-based effort will develop a comprehensive science and mission strategy for the field that updates and extends the first-ever NRC survey, which was completed
in 2002. An open website has been created to describe the survey and to provide an opportunity for community input
throughout the study process: http://tinyurl.com/2b4e4sh.
The statement of task, which is posted on the website, directs the survey committee to:
1. Provide an overview of the science and a broad survey of the current state of knowledge in the field, including
a discussion of the relationship between space- and ground-based science research and its connection to other scientific
areas;
2. Identify the most compelling science challenges that have arisen from recent advances and accomplishments;
3. Identify—having considered scientific value, urgency, cost category and risk, and technical readiness—the highest
priority scientific targets for the interval 2013-2022, recommending science objectives and measurement requirements for
each target rather than specific mission or project design/implementation concepts; and
4. Develop an integrated research strategy that will present means to address these targets.
The scope of the study will include:
• The structure of the Sun and the properties of its outer layers in their static and active states;
• The characteristics and physics of the interplanetary medium from the surface of the Sun to interstellar space
beyond the boundary of the heliosphere; and
• The consequences of solar variability on the atmospheres and surfaces of other bodies in solar system, and the
physics associated with the magnetospheres, ionospheres, thermospheres, mesospheres, and upper atmospheres of the
Earth and other solar system bodies.
Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
409
H
Request for Information from the Community
The request for information from the solar and space physics community is reprinted below.
To:
Members of the Solar and Space Physics Community
From: Daniel Baker and Thomas Zurbuchen, Chair and Vice Chair of the 2013-2022
NRC Decadal Survey in Solar and Space Physics
Date: September 10, 2010
Background: As you may know, the Space Studies Board of the National Research Council (NRC) is beginning to organize
the next “decadal survey” in solar and space physics (heliophysics). This community-based effort will develop a comprehensive science and mission strategy for the field that updates and extends the first-ever NRC survey, which was completed
in 2002. An open website has been created to describe the survey and to provide an opportunity for community input
throughout the study process: http://tinyurl.com/2b4e4sh.
The statement of task, which is posted on the website, directs the survey committee to:
1. Provide an overview of the science and a broad survey of the current state of knowledge in the field, including
a discussion of the relationship between space- and ground-based science research and its connection to other scientific
areas;
2. Identify the most compelling science challenges that have arisen from recent advances and accomplishments;
3. Identify—having considered scientific value, urgency, cost category and risk, and technical readiness—the highest
priority scientific targets for the interval 2013-2022, recommending science objectives and measurement requirements for
each target rather than specific mission or project design/implementation concepts; and
4. Develop an integrated research strategy that will present means to address these targets.
The scope of the study will include:
• The structure of the Sun and the properties of its outer layers in their static and active states;
• The characteristics and physics of the interplanetary medium from the surface of the Sun to interstellar space
beyond the boundary of the heliosphere; and
• The consequences of solar variability on the atmospheres and surfaces of other bodies in solar system, and the
physics associated with the magnetospheres, ionospheres, thermospheres, mesospheres, and upper atmospheres of the
Earth and other solar system bodies.