Who is involved in IHY?
How can I participate?

How can I join the "IGY Gold" Club? Who is eligible?

What is the relationship of IHY to the Electronic Geophysical Year, eGY?
What is the relationship of IHY to the International Polar Year, IPY?
What is the relationship of IHY to the International Year of Planet Earth?
What is the relationship of IHY to the new NASA "Exploration Vision?"

When does IHY happen? How long does IHY run?

The IHY Opening Ceremony was held February 2007 at the United Nations in Vienna. IHY activities will run for two years: March 2007 - March 2009. However, many legacy and follow-on activities will continue past 2009.

What are the objectives of IHY 2007?

The Primary Objectives of IHY are:

• Advancing our Understanding of the Heliophysical Processes that Govern the Sun, Earth and Heliosphere
• Continuing the tradition of international research and advancing the legacy on the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year
• Demonstrating the Beauty, Relevance and Significance of Space and Earth Science to the World

IHY's priorities are set via its three primary objectives. The first objective, "Advancing our Understanding of the Heliophysical Processes that Govern the Sun, Earth and Heliosphere," focuses on our scientific activities.

The second objective, "Continuing the tradition of international research and advancing the legacy on the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year," refers to our commitment to preserving the history and legacy of the IGY and our cooperation with other IGY anniversary programs.

The third objective, "Demonstrating the Beauty, Relevance and Significance of Space and Earth Science to the World" reminds us of the tremendous opportunity in 2007-8 for outreach and education.

The IHY science team has developed a set of science goals. These were defined so that we focus on the unique scientific and educational opportunities provided by IHY, with the goal of establishing the future direction and focus of heliophysical research. The five IHY science goals are:

1. Develop the basic science of heliophysics through cross-disciplinary studies of universal processes.
2. Determine the response of terrestrial and planetary magnetospheres and atmospheres to external drivers.
3.Promote research on the Sun-heliosphere system outward to the local interstellar medium - the new frontier.
4. Foster international scientific cooperation in the study of heliophysical phenomena now and in the future.
5. Communicate unique IHY results to the scientific community and the general public.

What is meant by "Universal Processes", and how do they relate to IHY?

The first Science Goal of IHY is to "Develop the basic science of heliophysics through cross-disciplinary studies of universal processes." IHY's science activities will focus on the fundamental underlying physics of heliophysical phenomena, and will facilitate discussion between the different disciplines by focusing on the relationships between these phenomena and the commonalities in the physical processes. This will allow researchers to plan and participate in cross-disciplinary studies, culminating in a greater understanding of fundamental universal processes.

Please go to our Science Goals and Universal Processes discussion page for more information.

Why now? Why 2007?

The year 2007 is an ideal time for IHY. Not only is it the 50-year anniversary, of IGY but it is also "solar minimum." The advantage of solar minimum is that there will be isolated events surrounded by relatively quiet phases, making observations easier. For example, many processes affecting geospace and climate take weeks to months to fully dissipate. To track these processes and the coupling in its entirety, activity surrounded by relatively quiet phases is optimal.

50 years after IGY, we now have access to a large armada of existing and planned spacecraft which are in place (or will be), to provide the most comprehensive global measurements of the Sun-Earth interplanetary system yet obtained. This armada, our "Great Observatory," includes Earth-based resources which can provide measurements of terrestrial effects at the poles and elsewhere as well as space-based resources which can provide measurements beyond the Earth's atmosphere.

International collaboration is easier today than in previous international years, as electronic communication is available to most interested parties. As our "Great Observatory" continues to develop and our worldwide communication grid continues to grow, the time is ripe for IHY global studies.

Who is involved in IHY?

For IHY to be successful, we require the participation of a wide range of experts, including scientists, historians and educators. If you'd like to learn about participation in IHY, please refer to the Get Involved section of our website.

To learn more about IHY international teams and committees, please refer to the How is IHY Organized? section of this FAQ.

How can I participate?

The science goals of the IHY are broad and require the coordinated effort of observatories and scientists worldwide. The scientific success of IHY requires the establishment of innovative research programs.

The first step is to explore the Get Involved Section of the website.

We are always looking for people to get involved. You can:

• serve as a coordinator between IHY and your scientific institution or organization to ensure overlap in scientific objectives
• serve on one of the science working groups to assist in the development of scientific initiatives
• help with the public outreach effort
• assist in the development of programs for developing countries
• contribute a story or "reminiscence" about IGY 1957
• propose and help coordinate an observing campaign
• serve as an observatory coordinator
• be creative - new suggestions and ideas are always welcome!

How is IHY organized?

IHY is divided into geographic regions, each with its own organizing committee. Additionally, many nations have an IHY program, with their own national organizing teams.

IHY's international leadership consists of an International Advisory Committee, concerned with integrating the activities of IHY with other international programs, and an International Steering Committee which is tasked with the implementation and coordination of IHY across the IHY regions and nations.

The IHY Secretariat is hosted by the American Geophysical Union in Washington, DC. The Secretariat is the official point of contact for the international IHY program, housing the IHY Officers and the IHY Committees. Individual IHY activities, such as scientific campaigns, education and public outreach, and the IGY Gold History program are also hosted by the Secretariat.

How can I join the "IGY Gold" Club? Who is eligible?

The "IGY Gold" Club recognizes people who participated in any of the International Geophysical Year's activities. If you or someone you know might qualify, please visit the IHY History page.

What is the relationship of IHY to the Electronic Geophysical Year, eGY?

The Electronic Geophysical Year 2007-2008 is a coordinated international effort focussing on improving data access, release, discovery, preservation, rescue, integration, knowledge discovery, and capacity building. The success of IHY is intimately coupled to our ability to analyze data, share information and communicate effectively with a global network of scientists.

• IHY and eGY 2007-8 have a similar heritage, in the tradition of International Science Years. The IHY and eGY will include an anniversary celebration as well as set the stage for the future of geophysical research.
• Many IHY activities, such as the "IGY Gold" History Initiative, are conducted with support and participation from the eGY.
• The eGY's activities are geared toward improving the electronic capabilities of geoscience on a global scale, particularly in developing nations. Many of IHY's scientists are from developing nations, and the efforts of the eGY will have a significant impact on lessening the technological divide facing these researchers. As our globe gets smaller, our ability to conduct scientific activities independent of location hinges on e-Science and building electronic capacity.

What is the relationship of IHY to the International Polar Year, IPY?

The International Polar Year 2007-2008 has been established in the tradition of the first International Polar Year 1882-83, the second IPY in 1932-33 and the IGY in 1957. Our understanding of the poles has increased significantly, including the role the poles play in global climate processes. However, existing climate models are not sufficient to explain many major effects, such as the dramatic break-up of Antarctic ice shelves observed in recent years.

The organizers of IHY and IPY are working to maximize the success of both programs by coordinating relevant scientific activities and seeking synergy between the two programs. The IPY overlaps with the IHY in three significant ways:

• IHY and IPY 2007-8 have a similar heritage, in the tradition of International Science Years. The IHY and IPY will include an anniversary celebration as well as set the stage for the future of geophysical research.
• Many IHY activities, such as the "IGY Gold" History Initiative, are conducted with support and participation from the IPY.
• The IHY and IPY share some exciting scientific topics. As our understanding of global geophysical processes grows, our scientific activities must include global processes as well as local effects. Heliophysical phenomena can have a significant effect on the polar regions, and some polar processes serve as an energetic "lynchpin" for global geophysical interactions. As a result, our science activities will have significant overlap, and many scientists in the IHY also serve on IPY teams.

To ensure coordination between the IHY and IPY activities, the IHY Team submitted an IPY Expression of Intent to coordinate space-related activities for IPY scientists. The proposal has been accepted as a joint IHY / ICESTAR activity for the IPY.

    Learn more about IPY

What is the relationship of IHY to the International Year of Planet Earth?

The Earth Sciences for Society initiative is sponsoring the International Year of Planet Earth for 2005-2007. Its purpose will be to focus on the relationship between humankind and Planet Earth, and to demonstrate that geoscientists are key players in creating a balanced, sustainable future for both. The IYPE overlaps with the IHY in several significant ways:

• IHY 2007-8 and IYPE 2005-7 have a similar heritage, in the tradition of International Science Years. Our activities will include an anniversary celebration as well as set the stage for the future of geophysical research.
• Many IHY activities, such as the "IGY Gold" History Initiative, are conducted with support and participation from the IYPE.
• The IHY and IYPE share some exciting scientific topics, and their science goals are extremely complementary. IHY focuses on the heliophysical processes connecting our Sun, the Earth, and the solar system. Through coordination with IYPE, our activities can be broadened to connect to all of Earth science.

The planners of IHY and IYPE are adopting a memorandum of understanding and joint planning activities are underway.     Learn more about IYPE

What is the relationship of IHY to the new NASA "Exploration Vision"?

NASA will be pursuing a series of activities dedicated to the human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. This "Vision" will require dedicated efforts from heliophysical scientists to advance our understanding of effects influencing our capabilities in space. As a result, the IHY will be hosting a special "Focus" team to identify and address campaigns and activities which will further NASA's progress towards achieving this vision.