Prospectus of

the International Reference Ionosphere（IRI）Workshop

- A joint project of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)

and the Union of Radio Science (URSI) -

1. Background and Purpose

The International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) was established in 1968 jointly by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the International Union of Radio Science (URSI). Its objective is to produce an observation-based standard model of the ionosphere, which significantly affects the performance of communication and global positioning system. With more than 50 members from various countries in the world, the IRI working group constantly works on the construction and improvement of the IRI model, which is accessible from the homepage of IRI. The IRI model is widely used in various areas, such as ground radio communication, satellite communication, forecasting of disturbances in telecommunication, navigation and positioning of aircrafts, ships, and ground vehicles using GPS. In addition, it is used to calibrate space observations obtained using radio waves as well.

The structure and variation of the ionosphere is strongly affected by the solar activity and the solar wind from above. Recent research has revealed compelling evidence for influences from below as well. The sources of influence can be meteorological changes in the troposphere like lighting and rainfall, or even earthquakes deep inside the solid Earth. An IRI model including all these influences from above and below, however, is yet to be developed. Via the COSPAR held on even years and the IRI workshop held on odd years, the IRI working group endeavors to　further improve the IRI model by integrating the newest research findings.

In Asia, Japan has been the front runner in space technology and space exploration. With its rockets, satellites, and ground instruments, Japan has been playing a leading role in the ionospheric research for more than 50 years. It has made significant contributions to the development of the IRI model with various data and results. However, ionospheric data in Asian and African region are still quite sparse, which has become the bottle neck for the development of IRI model with higher accuracy. In recent years, Asian countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, and India have been making big stride in space technology and exploration. Other countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Philippines are also enhancing its education and training of space scientists and engineers. Cooperation with researchers from these countries is becoming a great necessity for the further improvement of the IRI model.

In the city of Kagoshima, there is not only JAXA's base station for launching rockets and satellites, but also ionospheric observatories from NICT. Kagoshima is also known as a region of frequent ionospheric disturbances. Furthermore, the city is easily accessible from Asian countries via short flights, which facilitates the attendance of Asian scientists. At COSPAR/IRI in July 2008, it has been decided that the IRI 2009 workshop will be held in Asia, where space science research and exploration are advancing rapidly. And Kagoshima has been chosen to be the meeting city.

The IRI 2009 workshop will include invited talks, oral presentations, business meetings, visit to ionospheric observatories and outreach.

2. Organizer

Executive committee of the IRI working group

3. Meeting Place

Kagoshima University, Kagoshima

4. Meeting dates:

Nov. 2-Nov. 7, 2009.

5. Participants:

About 100, including about 50 from outside of Japan

Participating Countries:

Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Iraq, Australia, UK, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia, Poland, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Canada, US, Brazil, Argentina, etc. in total 28 countries.

6. Local Organization Committee

Chair:

Shigeto Watanabe (Hokkaido University)

Co-Chair:

T. Abe (JAXA)

Honorable Chair:

K. Oyama (National Cheng Kung University)