IHY consists of a wide range of activities spanning all corners of the globe. Some of these activities may happen on a local level, but they are all part of an internationally coordinated program that celebrates the 50th anniversary of IGY and lays the foundation for the next 50 years of heliophysical research.

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

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.

Based on the primary objectives, we have established the following six goals: 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. Preserve the history and legacy of the IGY on its 50th Anniversary. 6. Communicate unique IHY results to the scientific community and the general public.

How they all fit together

All of IHY's activities fit under at least one of the following categories:

Science: Goals 1 - 4 listed above Observatory Development: Goals 3 and 4 History: Goal 5 Outreach: Goal 6

Science:

IHY's scientific activities will be organized via Coordinated Investigation Programmes (CIPs). The CIPs will span all the disciplines throughout heliophysics, and will coordinate observations and analysis involving scientists and instrumentation in all 191 United Nations member states.

Using the data resulting from the CIPs, will drive towards a more complete understanding of the universal processes that govern the Sun, Earth, planets and heliosphere.

IHY's Science Pages contain a more thorough description of the science activities and how to participate in them.

Observatory Development:

The United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI) will be dedicating their workshops and activities through 2009 to the IHY developing nations initiative. Drawing on nearly fifteen years of workshops on basic space science for the benefit of scientists and engineers from developing nations, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, through the UNBSSI, will assist scientists and engineers from all over the world in participating in the preparations for IHY 2007.

This joint developing nations program will target activities which stimulate Space and Earth Science activities at institutions around the globe, such as the establishment of ground-based instrument arrays and research programs. The program consists of a series of annual workshops hosted in varying international locations, including the 2005 Workshop in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.

History:

IHY is also dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of IGY 1957. Capitalizing on its 50th anniversary, the IGY Gold History Program seeks to identify and recognize planners of and participants in the first IGY, preserve memoirs, articles, photographs, and all items of historical significance for the IGY, make these items available to historians, researchers, etc., spread awareness of the history of geophysics, and plan a series of commemorative special events and "reunions."

Outreach:

There are unique opportunities for expanding the education and awareness of Space and Earth Sciences during IHY. As a result, the education program forms a cornerstone of our international initiative. As hundreds of observatories and institutions are preparing for IHY's scientific activities, the associated educational programs are being linked into an unprecedented network of schools, institutes, programs, and activities in developing nations.

All of the IHY initiatives are interlinked, and by coordinating these activities on an international level, we identify opportunities to maximize the impact of our programs.

For example, as we establish a greater presence for Space and Earth Sciences in developing nations, we will assist the local researchers establish education and outreach initiatives through our international educational programs. Stronger research programs mean stronger universities, which allow the development of graduate and undergraduate programs, which are key factors in encouraging youth to become interested in the exciting field of heliophysics. This is an example of our Outreach initiatives leveraging the Observatory Development activities to maximize their potential.

Similarly, there are hundreds of observatories planning to participate in IHY science activities. As most of these observatories have education and outreach programs, and relationships with local schools, we will use our Science activities to form a focus and coordination point for our Outreach programs.

Interested in participating? Learn how to Get Involved in IHY, or you can learn more about IHY.