International space research workshop at the Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science in Sopron

A colorful picture about the presented topics at the workshop

From 11 to 15 July 2022, the 8th Workshop on Vertical Coupling in the Atmosphere-Ionosphere System was held in Sopron, Hungary at the Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science (EPSS), part of the Eötvös Loránd Research Network. The hybrid workshop was attended by 41 representatives from 20 countries, with a roughly 50/50 split between in-person and online participants. The former visited the Széchenyi István Geophysical Observatory (SZIGO), one of the top 50 research infrastructures in Hungary, where they were able to get acquainted with the various geophysical and meteorological measurements operated by EPSS. The event was sponsored by the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA), the International Commission on the Middle Atmosphere (ICMA) and the Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics (SCOSTEP). 32 oral presentations and 6 posters were demonstrated at the workshop. Participants were able to gain insights into the various coupling processes between the neutral lower atmosphere and the charged upper atmosphere (the ionosphere), and the space weather effects on the ionosphere. The presented topics fit well with the scientific activities of the Space Science and Technology Research Unit at EPSS. The workshop can be seen as a useful groundwork for the soon to be launched T-FORS (TRAVELLING IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES FORECASTING SYSTEM) granted H2022 proposal with the participation of EPSS. Young researchers from the Institute participated in the local organizing committee, presented their own research and also gained useful experiences as session chairs. More details about the workshop are available at https://vcais2022sopron.epss.hu/.

The participants of the workshop at the Széchenyi István Geophysical Observatory