Hot news - Polarisation.eu

Polarization Conference at SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, April 17-21

2015-10-02T09:27:18+02:00

The next (east coast) SPIE Polarization conference, Polarization: Measurement, Analysis, and Remote Sensing XII (SI102) is returning to the great venue at the Baltimore Convention Center, next April 17 - 21, 2016 as part of the renamed SPIE DCS 2016. The DSS event is now called SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing (DCS) in order to be more inclusive of the growing commercial application areas.Our conference is part of the Commercial + Scientific Sensing and Imaging, Imaging and Sensing Program Track and holds promise to be one of the best polarization conferences yet. The venue offers proximity to federal customers and prime contractors alike, and the exhibition will be bigger than ever. More information on the conference can be found at the SPIE / DCS web site http://spie.org/DCS.

The deadline for submitting your abstracts to the conference is 5October 2015. We are looking for interesting papers across the spectrum of polarization devices, simulation and modeling, instruments, mathematics, signatures and more. The links to the Call for Papers and the abstract submission sites are given below. The link to submit an abstract is also just below the conference title on the Call web page. For speakers who need to seek approval from their organization to participate, please feel free to share our 'Benefits of attending' page here: http://spie.org/x90758.xml.

On a personal note, Polaris Sensor Technologies will be exhibiting again at DSS and we hope you'll stop by and see us. We've got some exciting things to show you!

A few more instructions are provided following the links below so please take a look. Please get your papers in, and pass this along to colleagues who might also be interested. We look forward to seeing you in Baltimore!

David Chenault and Dennis Goldstein,
co-chairs, /Polarization: Measurement, Analysis, and Remote Sensing XI/

Polarization: Measurement, Analysis, and Remote Sensing XII (SI102):
http://spie.org/SI102

Abstracts are due *5 October 2015*.

The SPIE Commercial + Scientific Sensing and Imaging Call for Papers is online at http://spie.org/DCS.

*QUICK LINK TO CONFERENCE CALL FOR PAPERS*
We created short links that you can use to send people directly to your Call for Papers for the 'Polarization: Measurement, Analysis, and Remote Sensing XII' conference: http://spie.org/SI102

*SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS*
------------------------------------------------
Abstracts are due *5 October 2015*
Read the abstract submission guidelines: http://spie.org/x31532.xml
Go to the SI102 Call for Papers: http://spie.org/SI102
From the SI102 Call for Papers, click on the "Submit an abstract" link
Sign in to your SPIE account (or create an account) and follow the submission wizard.
Please be prepared to submit a manuscript by 21 March 2016, and to secure funds for registration, travel, hotel, etc.
------------------------------------------------

Submit an abstract <https://spie.org/app/signon/?redir=/app/submissions/submit/Overview.aspx&EventID=2034787>

* When submitting an abstract, all authors must agree to the following
conditions:
o Register at the reduced author registration rate (current SPIE
Members receive an additional discount on the registration fee).
o Attend the meeting.
o Make the presentation as scheduled in the program.
o Submit a manuscript (6 pages minimum) for publication in the
Proceedings of SPIE in the SPIE Digital Library.
o Obtain funding for their registration fees, travel, and
accommodations, independent of SPIE, through their sponsoring
organizations.
o Ensure that all clearances, including government and company
clearance, have been obtained to present and publish. If you are
a DoD contractor in the USA, allow at least 60 days for clearance.

XIPE selected for ESA next Medium Class Science Mission

2015-06-04T14:04:48+02:00

ESA has selected the X-ray Imaging Polarimetry Explorer  (XIPE) as one out of the three candidate 
missions for the M4 call (with a launch in 2025). XIPE is dedicated to the measurement of 
polarization of hundreds of X-ray astrophysical sources in the energy range 2-8 keV with good 
imaging, timing and spectral capabilities. 

Many participants from this COST Action are involved in this project. Congratulations to them 
and good luck for the next phase.


Link to ESA press release

Internship in a foreign institute for a PhD on polarization of GRBs

2015-03-12T10:01:56+01:00

Dear all,

Mrs Anna Zwolinska from the National Center for Nuclear Research in Poland is currently
doing a PhD on polarization of gamma ray burst (X-rays).

She wants to apply for a grant in Polish funding institution National Science Center.
The grant would include funds for:
- costs associated with the stay in a foreign research center (3-6 months);
- costs of travel to scientific center.

Internship in foreign institute could be done during the course of PhD scholarship or
no later than 12 months after the end of the PhD.

The research in the scientific institution should be complementary with her work during PhD
(gamma ray burst, polarization, Monte Carlo simulation with GEANT4 package).

This is rather urgent as Anna needs to submit the application by March 16 (Monday).

If you are interested in working with Anna, please contact her at

am.zwolinska@gmail.com

Best wishes,
Hervé

PhD project on dust polarisation: Professor at University needed

2015-03-08T13:40:45+01:00

Dear all,

please find below some information/request about a PhD project on dust polarisation. If you
are interested please contact Dr. Ralf Siebemorgen from ESO at

rsiebenm@eso.org">rsiebenm@eso.org

Dr. Siebmorgen has a PhD project to offer that includes treatment of dust polarisation :

Dust polarisation 3d radiative transfer models

There is a possibility for a student to do this PhD project with him as ESO supervisor and within the ESO
studentship program. However, in that program a Professor at an University is needed who will take the responsibility
of the PhD. ESO will support this project by sponsoring 2 years, while the last year must be sponsored by the
Professor. In these two years the student would work at ESO and then go for the last year to the Professor's University.

Details on the ESO studentship programme is available at:

http://www.eso.org/sci/activities/FeSt-overview/ESOstudentship.html

Anyone at an University and with interest in dust polarisation who might have possibilities for covering the 3rd year
should contact Dr. Siebemorgen. Application deadline is 1 May.

A new COST proposal on high-energy polarimetry

2015-03-08T13:36:21+01:00

Dear all,

as you know, this is the last year of our COST Action and we cannot simply ask for a continuation.
But new initiatives based on a sub-group of this network/community are very welcome.

Please find below such an initiative.

The provisional title is "Polarimetry of high energy processes from the Sun to Gamma Ray Bursts" and
the main aims are to:
(i) explore if and how polarimetry can tackle current scientific questions, and if such questions can be
answered more efficiently with a coordinated effort in different fields and wavelengths;
(ii) compare the scientific expectations with the sensitivity of the instruments, to build scientific cases
for future missions, drive the development of the instrumentation and support the interpretation of
current data.

If you are interested in participating to this COST proposal, please contact Dr. Fabio Muleri at

fabio.muleri@iaps.inaf.it

Deadline for application of new COST proposals is 24 of March. There will be another call in about 6 months
so additional initiatives are welcome.

Sessions at AOGS 2015

2015-02-16T10:59:47+01:00

AOGS, Singapore, 2 - 7 August 2015

http://www.asiaoceania.org/society/index.asp

Abstracts due 18 February 2105

PS03: Polarimetry of Planetary Systems:Observations, Theory and Models

Polarimetry is a currently enjoying a rejuvenation in various astronomical applications. As a complementary techinque to imaging and spectroscopy, polarization allows the investigation of scatttering properties of variety of media ranging from planetary atmospheres, comets, small bodies (planetary satellites, asteroids, Kuiper Belt objects, etc.) to detection and characterization of exoplanets, brown dwarfs, star and planet forming regions; characterization of magnetic fields and search for optically active molecules in a search for habitability elsewhere than our earth. We invite contributions from observers, modellers, laboratory measurements, instrument designers and missions. We anticipate half to one day of presentations including oral and poster contributions. PS04: Comets, Asteroids and Other Small Bodies of the Solar System: From 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko to Chariklo

Conveners:

Dr. Padma A Yanamandra-Fisher (Space Science Institute, United States), padmayf@gmail.com">padmayf@gmail.com

Dr. Ludmilla Kolokolova (University of Maryland, United States), ludmilla@astro.umd.edu">ludmilla@astro.umd.edu

Dr. Shashikiran Ganesh (Physical Research Laboratory, India), shashi@prl.res.in">shashi@prl.res.in

Dr. Lucyna Chudczer (University of New South Wales, Australia), lkedzior@unsw.edu.au">lkedzior@unsw.edu.au

Dr. Vijay Natraj (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States), vijay.natraj@jpl.nasa.gov">vijay.natraj@jpl.nasa.gov

Dr. Jun Takahashi (University of Hyogo, Japan), takahashi@nhao.jp">takahashi@nhao.jp

Prof. Motohide Tamura (The University of Tokyo, Japan), motohide.tamura@nao.ac.jp">motohide.tamura@nao.ac.jp

PS04: Comets, Asteroids and Other Small Bodies of the Solar System: From 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko to Chariklo

The composition and physical properties of Small Solar System Bodies (SSSBs), remnants of the formation of planets, are key to better understand our solar system. Increased knowledge of their surface properties and their potential as resources are also necessary to prepare for robotic and human exploration. Missions such as ESA/Rosetta, ESA/Gaia, NASA/OSIRIS-Rex, JAXA/Hyabusa-2, NASA/Dawn and NASA/New Horizons, to study asteroids, comets, dwarf planets and TNOs are poised to provide new information on SSSBs. This session welcomes abstracts on the remarkable results bringing information on the internal structure and composition of SSSBs based on space and ground-based data, numerical models, as well as instrument/mission concepts in the prospect of future exploration, including Rosetta/67P, C/SidingSpring, C/2014 Q1, C/2012 K1, Chariklo, Ceres, Vesta.. We anticipate a half-day to a full day session.

Conveners:

Dr. Padma A Yanamandra-Fisher (Space Science Institute, United States), padmayf@gmail.com">padmayf@gmail.com

Dr. Ludmilla Kolokolova (University of Maryland, United States), ludmilla@astro.umd.edu">ludmilla@astro.umd.edu

Dr. Shashikiran Ganesh (Physical Research Laboratory, India), shashi@prl.res.in">shashi@prl.res.in

Dr. Joo Hyeon Kim (Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Korea, South), kl0630@kari.re.kr">kl0630@kari.re.kr

Dr. Jian-Yang Li (Planetary Science Institute, United States), jyli@psi.edu">jyli@psi.edu

Dr. Anny-Chantal Levasseur-Regourd (Univ. of P and M Curie, France), chantal.levasseur@aerov.jussieu.fr">chantal.levasseur@aerov.jussieu.fr

3rd SOLARNET Workshop

2015-01-20T12:20:57+01:00

2nd announcement "Polarization in the Sun, the Solar System, and Beyond", 3rd SOLARNET Workshop, 25-28 May 2015, Granada, Spain

The 3rd SOLARNET Workshop “Polarization in the Sun, the Solar System, and Beyond” will take place in Granada (Spain) between 25-28 May 2015, organized by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC). SOLARNET is an international project promoted by the European Association for Solar Telescopes and funded by the European Commission (see www.solarnet-east.eu).

The goal of this workshop is to present the latest advances in astronomical polarimetry and spectropolarimetry, with a focus on the sun, solar system bodies, stars, and exoplanets. We also aim at bringing together the different communities and fostering collaborations between them. In order to provide a detailed account of the latest developments in these areas - including instrumentation, measurement techniques, data analysis and interpretation - the following sessions have been scheduled:

- Instrumentation (ground, space, laboratory)
- Diagnostics and Interpretation

- Solar Photosphere
- Solar Chromosphere, Transition Region, and Corona
- Polarization in the Solar System and Exoplanetary Systems
- Stellar Magnetic Fields

Invited speakers are being contacted and will be announced soon on the workshop website at

http://spg.iaa.es/Workshop

The workshop will be carried out right after the 3rd SOLARNET School on “Solar Magnetic Fields: Modeling and Measuring Techniques” (18-23 May 2015, Granada, Spain). See http://spg.iaa.es/School for more information.

Important dates

27 February 2015: Abstract submission deadline

16 March 2015:Selection of contributions by the SOC

31 March 2015:Early registration deadline

25-28 May 2015:Workshop

Registration

The registration fee is 225 euros before 31 March and 300 euros

after that. Students attending the 3rd SOLARNET school will

enjoy

a reduced fee of 50 euros before 31 March.

The registration fee will cover the coffee

breaks, 4 lunches at the conference venue, the conference dinner,

and a night visit to the Alhambra

palace.

Online registration and abstract submission will be opened in January 2015 at http://spg.iaa.es/Workshop

Venue

Granada is a small university town in the south of Spain, with a lively cultural and social atmosphere. May is one of the best months to enjoy the city, home to the famous Alhambra, with warm temperatures both during the day and at night. Granada is well connected to Madrid by airplane and can also be easily reached by bus from Malaga international airport (travel time is one hour and a half).

The workshop will be held at Hotel Andalucía Center

http://www.hotelescenter.es/en/hotel-andalucia-center-granada/

We have made a block reservation at a negotiated rate of 69.3 euro per night including breakfast and taxes. The hotel is conveniently located with many restaurants and bars within walking distance. It is only 15 minutes away from the city center on foot. Hotel reservation will be opened in January 2015.

Scientific Organizing Committee

L. Bellot Rubio (Chair, IAA-CSIC),
J. de la Cruz Rodríguez (Stockholm University)
M. Faurobert (Université de Nice)
K. Ichimoto (Kyoto University)
H. Lin (University of Hawaii)
B. Lites (HAO)
V. Martínez Pillet (NSO)
O. Muñoz (IAA-CSIC)
F. Snik (Leiden University)
K. Strassmeier (AIP)
R. Schlichenmaier (KIS)
A. Title (LMSAL)
J. Trujillo Bueno (IAC)
F. Zuccarello (Università di Catania, INAF)

Local Organizing Committee

S. Esteban Pozuelo, M. Gosic, I. Requerey, J.C. del Toro Iniesta, L. Bellot Rubio (IAA-CSIC)

Spooky Alignment of Quasars Across Billions of Light-years

2014-11-24T12:26:55+01:00

New observations with ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile have revealed alignments over the largest structures ever discovered in the Universe. A European research team has found that the rotation axes of the central supermassive black holes in a sample of quasars are parallel to each other over distances of billions of light-years. The team has also found that the rotation axes of these quasars tend to be aligned with the vast structures in the cosmic web in which they reside.

The rotation axes have been indirectly found through measurements of the optical polarization angles of the quasars.

More info at http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1438/

Second Solar Spectrum atlas in digital form

2014-11-06T15:24:32+01:00

At IRSOL we are glad to inform you that a new page on our site is ready, containing in digital form the Second Solar Spectrum atlas (in PDF, IDL version, and in ASCII). More over data measured by Jan in the 70es with the Kitt Peak FTS polarimeter are available for:

- FTS atlases of the Stokes V spectra due to the longitudinal Zeeman effect

- The FTS atlas of the 3rd Solar Spectrum (SS3) and its relation to the Second Solar Spectrum (SS2)

The address is:

http://www.irsol.ch/data_archive/

Soon instructions and links to download further intensity CLV data will be includes in this page.

Best wishes,

Jan Stenflo, Renzo Ramelli, Michele Bianda, and the IRSOL staff

SPHERE : a new polarimetric imager at VLT

2014-09-17T11:35:20+02:00

SPHERE is offered for the first time at the ESO VLT in Period 95 pending successful commissioning and for a limited set of modes and setups. SPHERE is a high-contrast extreme-AO system which is optimized for highest resolution and contrast performance in a narrow field of view around bright targets in the visible or near infrared. The instrument will become one of the most sensitive instruments for high contrast imaging of extra-solar planets and the circumstellar material around bright stars. In particular in the visible the Zurich IMaging POLarimeter (ZIMPOL) provides diffraction limited differential polarimetric imaging at 20 mas resolution. ZIMPOL is a high-precision imaging polarimeter based on the fast modulation-demodulation principle, which can be combined with a set of coronagraphs and a wide range of different broad- and narrow-band filters, as well as various line filters. The instrument can also be operated in non-coronagraphic mode which allows for a wide range of scientific measurements. For an overview of SPHERE and the offered modes for P95 see

http://www.eso.org/sci/facilities/paranal/instruments/sphere/overview.html

Proposal deadline for P95: 01 October 2014, 12:00 noon CEST

Two new COST Actions on Compact Stars and Astrobiology

2014-09-17T11:18:29+02:00

1) NewCompStar :

Website : http://compstar.uni-frankfurt.de/

Contact person :

Chair of the Action:
Prof. Luciano REZZOLLA (DE)
Institute for Theoretical Physics, Max-von-Laue-Str. 1, D-60438 Frankfurt
Albert Einstein Institute, Am Muehlenberg 1, D-14476 Potsdam
rezzolla@th.physik.uni-frankfurt.de

Short description :

Compact stars, such as neutron stars, strange stars or hybrid stars, are unique laboratories that allow us to probe the building blocks of matter and their interactions at regimes that terrestrial laboratories cannot explore. These exceptional objects have already led to breakthrough discoveries in nuclear and subnuclear physics, QCD, general relativity and high-energy astrophysics. The upcoming generation of observatories and gravitational-wave detectors will continue to nurture innovative and fundamental discoveries complementary to those achieved through the nuclear and subnuclear experimental facilities. The MPNS COST Action MP1304 Exploring fundamental physics with compact stars (NewCompStar) was officially started on Nov. 25 2013 and represents the natural evolution of an ESF-funded RPN, CompStar. General information about COST Actions can be found on the network webpages.
The rules and regulations for a COST Actions are summarized in the Vademecum Part 1 and Part 2.

The new COST Action brings together the leading experts in astrophysics, nuclear physics and gravitational physics to address this fascinating but challenging research area through an interdisciplinary approach. In addition to an innovative and well-defined research agenda, the network will provide a dedicated training program for a new generation of scientists with wide-ranging expertise and multiple skills oriented also towards knowledge transfer and innovation.

The Charter of NewCompstar is embodied in its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). So far 28 countries have signed the MOU. In addition, Armenia and the Russian Federation are participating near neighbouring countries, with Australia being an international partner.

2) Origins and evolution of life on Earth and in the Universe (ORIGINS)

Contact person :

Dr. Muriel Gargaud
Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux
2 rue de l'observatoire
33271 FLOIRAC , FRANCE
gargaud@obs.u-bordeaux1.fr

Short description : this Action addresses three basic questions that fascinate and intrigue scientists, and the general public alike, questions that are pivotal to our understanding and appreciation of our place in the universe. Where, when and how did life emerge and evolve on Earth? What are the conditions under which life can exist? Does life exist
elsewhere in the Universe and, if it does, how can it be detected and identified?

29 countries have signed their MoU. Here's a link to the list :

http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/TDP/Actions/TD1308?parties

Thousands of Dutch citizens take part in the first national iSPEX-measure-day

2013-08-10T09:32:54+02:00

The first Dutch national iSPEX-measure-day yielded more than 5000 measurements. With this enough data has been gathered to call the iSPEX-measure-day a valid scientific experiment. iSPEX-teamleader Frans Snik is happy with the massive response of the participants, despite the long wait for good weather and dawning summer holiday..

Vacant positions at IRSOL

2012-12-13T16:23:21+01:00

PDF version of this announcement

Istituto Ricerche Solari Locarno, IRSOL, located in the Italian speaking southern part of Switzerland, is a solar research institute operating a facility optimized for high-precision imaging spectro-polarimetry (see www.irsol.ch). The institute is governed by the foundation FIRSOL. The local scientific staff presently consists of Dr M. Bianda, Dr D. Gisler (part time), and Dr R. Ramelli, and includes Professor Jan Stenflo as affiliated scientist. The recent approval of two major grant applications now allows us to fill two new positions: (1) A new scientist position on the staff of IRSOL which has become possible through an increased base funding of IRSOL. (2) A postdoc position dedicated to a project that has been submitted and approved by the State Secretariat for Education and Research, SER, in relation with the participation of IRSOL in the COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) Action MP 1104. 1. Scientist position IRSOL has received a substantial increase in its base funding from the Swiss Federal Government for the next years, which now allows us to fill a new position on the scientific staff. The selected candidate for the scientist position is expected to promote research topics based on observations that can be done with the unique equipment for spectro-polarimetry at IRSOL, and with the use of ZIMPOL on GREGOR (Tenerife). Expected profile of the candidate: Well established role in the field of solar physics with a good knowledge in the field of polarimetry, being able to work in a small team, in particular to contribute to and enhance the groups already working in joint projects, national and international, with IRSOL. Starting date: to be mutually agreed. The initial appointment will be for a period of two years, but as a staff position it may be extended. 2. Postdoc position The position is the cornerstone of a project that has been approved by the State Secretariat for Education and Research, SER, to strengthen the participation of our Institute in the Cost Action MP1104: "Polarisation as a tool to study the Solar System and beyond". The title of our project is: "Using the forward scattering Hanle effect to produce chromospheric magnetic field maps".

The main aim is to explore the feasibility of using the forward scattering Hanle effect in the Ca I 4227 A line as a tool to systematically determine and map chromospheric magnetic fields. While the existence and observability of this effect has been verified by initial work at IRSOL (Anusha et al. 2011, ApJ 737, 95), the aim is now to develop it into a general diagnostic tool, to be used in combination with more traditional Zeeman-effect diagnostics. The observations will be performed at IRSOL using the Gregory-CoudŽ telescope and the ZIMPOL imaging spectro-polarimeter. Further observations are planned with the German GREGOR facility on Tenerife, where a ZIMPOL-3 system will be installed in 2013. Complementary avenues to explore chromospheric magnetism will also be explored within the framework of this project. Expected profile of the candidate: Background in solar physics, preferably with experience in polarimetry. The postdoc should be involved in both the observational aspects and the development and application of the theoretical tools. While the staff of IRSOL will assist the postdoc, in particular in teaching and guidance in the use of the instrumentation, a capability for independent work is expected.

Starting date: July 2013 or later. Remuneration: in the range CHF 75,000 - 78,000 per year; the project is funded for a duration of two years. For both positions: The application should include CV, publication list, three possible referee
addresses, statement of scientific interests and how your background fits the job expectations of the position for which you apply. Note that you can apply for both positions (with the same CV and publication list).
The application should be submitted to IRSOL by e-mail at info at irsol.ch . If you have not received a confirmation within three days, please let us know. Deadline: February 15, 2013.

CLASP proposal selected by NASA

2012-12-05T16:55:39+01:00

The CLASP proposal has been selected for funding by NASA.

The Chromospheric Ly-alpha Spectropolarimeter (CLASP) is a sounding rocket experiment proposed by an international team
formed by USA, Japan and some European countries. Its goal is to measure the linear polarization of the hydrogen Ly-alpha line, produced by anisotropic optical pumping in the chromosphere-corona transition region of the Sun, and from this observable to try to constrain via the Hanle effect the strength and orientation of the magnetic field in the upper solar chromosphere. This exploratory and challenging measurement, with an observing time of only 5 minutes, will be attempted around December 2014 from a NASA sounding rocket equipped with a far-UV telescope, a spectrograph and a polarimeter. Some research groups of this COST action participate in this international project. For more information you may contact Javier Trujillo Bueno (IAC; Tenerife; Spain).

PhD position in Astroparticle physics at KTH

2012-12-01T19:05:35+01:00

A Ph.D. position in astroparticle physics is available at KTH in Stockholm. The position concerns polarised X-ray astrophysics - focussing on balloon-borne hard X-ray polarimetry (PoGOLite) and the development of new instrumentation.

For more details, including the application procedure please see (Ref: S-2102-1001):

*English: http://www.kth.se/en/om/work-at-kth/vacancies

*Swedish: http://www.kth.se/om/work-at-kth/lediga-anstallningar

Application deadline: 2012-12-17.

Postdoctoral scholarship in astroparticle physics at KTH

2012-11-09T09:42:19+01:00

Dear colleagues,

a 2 year postdoctoral scholarship in astroparticle physics is available at KTH in Stockholm. The position concerns polarised X-ray astrophysics - focussing on balloon-borne hard X-ray polarimetry (PoGOLite) and the development of new instrumentation.

For more details, including the application procedure please see:

*English: http://www.kth.se/en/aktuellt/work-at-kth/vacancies

*Swedish: http://www.kth.se/om/work-at-kth/lediga-anstallningar

Application deadline: 2012-12-10.

Best wishes,
Hervé

7h International Workshop on Solar Polarization (SPW7)

2012-11-03T15:34:20+01:00

The 7th international workshop on Solar Polarization (SPW7) will be organized in
Kunming, China, from 9 to 14 September 2013.

WEBSITE :http://spw7.ynao.ac.cn/

TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED

Polarization physics in magnetized media

Scattering polarization and the Second Solar Spectrum

Nature of solar magnetic fields as revealed by polarimetry

Polarized radiation diagnostics of stellar and planetary atmospheres

Polarized radiative transfer and numerical modeling

Molecular polarimetry

Polarimetry of the outer solar atmosphere (transition region and corona)

Polarimetric instrumentation for ground-based and space observations

4MOST workshop

2012-11-03T10:34:07+01:00

I would like to draw your attention at the following 4MOST workshop

http://workshop.4most.eu/

The 4MOST consortium invites the astronomical community to a workshop on Science with Large Area Spectroscopic Surveys
to develop the specific needs for spectroscopic survey facilities in the next decade. This three-day workshop (13-15 Nov 2012)
held at the AIP, Potsdam, will enable discussions between scientists from all astronomical fields from both inside and outside
the 4MOST consortium, in order to ensure that the capabilities and observational strategies of 4MOST will satisfy the largest
range of science opportunities as foreseen by the broader astronomical community.

Although it is unfortunately too late to register, maybe some among you are planning to go and it would be important then to
convey the message that spectropolarimetric data will significantly augment the science legacy of the telescope. If somebody
plans to give a talk there, please let me know and if you agree, we could also share your presentation on our website.

Also, there might be more opportunities to discuss the Conceptual Design Study, so we will keep you informed.

iSPEX wins!

2012-10-25T15:46:25+02:00

Congratulations to the iSPEX team for winning a 100 000 € Dutch award for outreach.

http://ispex.nl/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1010937.jpg

Vote for iSPEX

2012-10-04T13:24:56+02:00

The iSPEX team is running for a big public appreciating award. Everybody can vote including from abroad. Go to

http://www.wetenschap24.nl/programmas/labyrint/publieksprijs1/stempagina.html .

and vote for the iSPEX team.

A compact and robust method for full Stokes spectropolarimetry

2012-03-01T14:54:02+01:00

Sparks, Germer, MacKenty and Snik

We present an approach to spectropolarimetry which requires neither moving parts nor time dependent modulation, and which offers the prospect of achieving high sensitivity. The technique applies equally well, in principle, in the optical, UV or IR. The concept, which is one of those generically known as channeled polarimetry, is to encode the polarization information at each wavelength along the spatial dimension of a 2D data array using static, robust optical components. A single two-dimensional data frame contains the full polarization information and can be configured to measure either two or all of the Stokes polarization parameters. By acquiring full polarimetric information in a single observation, we simplify polarimetry of transient sources and in situations where the instrument and target are in relative motion. The robustness and simplicity of the approach, coupled to its potential for high sensitivity, and applicability over a wide wavelength range, is likely to prove useful for applications in challenging environments such as space.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1206.7106

Biosignatures as revealed by spectropolarimetry of Earthshine

2012-03-01T14:54:02+01:00

Earthshine is reflected Earth's light visible on the Moon's night side.

Study of the Earthshine provides information about what has reflected light coming from the Sun. Indeed, properties are different whether light is reflected off oceans or continents. Light can also be scattered by air molecules, aerosols or cloud particles when passing through the Earth's atmosphere.

Light which has been reflected/scattered becomes strongly linearly polarized. Therefore, using spectropolarimetric observations (measurements of the polarization at several wavelengths or colors), it is possible to detect the spectral signatures of aerosols, clouds, etc...but also from vegetation. European astronomers have used this technique to determine the fractional contribution of clouds and ocean surface. The results are sensitive to visible areas of vegetation as small as 10 per cent.

These results represent a benchmark for the diagnostics of the atmospheric composition, mean cloud height and surfaces of exoplanets, planets orbiting around other stars.

These results have been published in Nature. One of the authors, Dr. Stefano Bagnulo from Armagh Observatory (UK) is an active member of this COST Action.