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IHY Opening Ceremony in the United Nations Rotunda - Photos19 February 2007 Additional Photos provided by Deborah Scherrer of Stanford University Additional Photos provided by Pitan Singhasaneh of IHY-Thailand
Statements presented during the Opening Ceremony of the International Heliophysical Year 2007-9 19 February 2007
Statement by Madhulika Guhathakurta
Within NASA, we have a new science division "Heliophysics" to address the system science of sun and its influence on planetary environment. The charter of this division is the "Exploration of the Sun, its infleuence on earth and the planets of the Solar System (e.g., Mars with its polar ice caps, and Earth, Jupiter & Saturn with aurorae), and the space environmental conditions and their evolution that will be experienced by human and robotic explorers (e.g., The safety and productivity of our astronauts will be immeasurably enhanced by a thorough understanding of the harsh and dynamic environment in which they must operate). A broad charter for this division, it emphasizes the understanding of the underlying physics of this complex, coupled dynamic system with the sun at its center and the goal is to predict this system behavior to the point of prediction. There is an international fleet, "The Heliophysics Great Observatory" of more than a dozen solar terrestrial space missions currently acquiring data on the behavior of the Sun-Solar System connection. The Heliophysics great observatory consists of missions with distributed fleet of spacecraft that provide a remarkable view of the solar system events. Already, missions like THEMIS, STEREO, Hionde, SOHO, Ulysses, Voyager and others are changing the way we view the sun-earth and interplanetary medium as a connected system. Complementing these space missions IHY is coordinating and providing an extensive global system of ground-based optical, radio, radar instruments and magnetometers that are providing vital information on geomagnetic variability, aurora, ionospheric variability, and other terrestrial phenomena caused by variations in the Sun's output of electromagnetic radiation, solar wind, and energetic particles. To understand the physical conditions that drive this planetary system from Sun to Earth and beyond we need many observations and modelling efforts The Heliophysics Great Observatory is constantly being renewed, upgraded, and refocused with new missions and observations. The distance between the Sun and Earth is 93 million miles. It is a vast space dotted with very few observations. It is like measuring ocean currents with only few bouys. It cannot be done! It requires a greater effort than can be mounted in a single program or by a single nation. Through concerted efforts of IHY, scientists from all participating nations will aid significantly in the data collection and modelling efforts towards the goal of Heliophysics. IHY is a broad international effort to develop the scientific understanding necessary to effectively address all aspects of the connected Sun-Solar system. It is the study of the physics of solar variability and its effects. Why do we care? We have increased dependence on space-based systems, a permanent presence of humans in Earth orbit, and eventually human voyages beyond Earth, to Moon and Mars. Solar variability can affect space systems, human space flight, electric power grids, GPS signals, high frequency radio communications, long range radar, microelectronics and humans in high altitude aircraft, and terrestrial climate. Prudence demands that we fully understand the space environment affecting these systems, that we understand "space weather." In addition, given the massive economic impact of even small changes in climate, we should fully understand both natural and anthropogenic causes of global climate change. "Space Weather" is beginning to affect all nations and there is greater urgency in cooperation and collaboration between nations to address the science of Heliophysics through international intiatives such as ILWS & IHY. IHY through its stunning observations from space and ground, clear relevance to society and compelling science goals will provide a powerful tool for engaging the public and students in the science all over the world.
Statement by Prof. Dr. Mazlan OTHMAN Chair of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee United Nations COPUOS
Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot but join the festive atmosphere surrounding today's inauguration event of the International Heliophysical Year 2007, celebrated by countries around the world. In preparation of the International Heliophysical Year 2007, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in cooperation with NASA, the European Space Agency and the IHY Secretariat held several international workshops, such as the one in the United Arab Emirates in 2005 and in India in 2006, and is currently preparing such a workshop to be held at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan in Tokyo, in June 2007. Results of these workshops are known as the United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative, through which the IHY assists in deploying arrays of small instruments to make measurements of global interest for solar-terrestrial interaction. The Initiative provides meaningful participation for developing nations and facilitates contacts between the instrument providers and university groups from potential instrument host nations. The United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative has a 3-year work plan through 2008, initiated by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and approved by the General Assembly. The Initiative has already facilitated over 2000 scientist contacts in 192 countries. Internationally, IHY is organized into eight regions, with each region having its own regional planning committee that is coordinating regional IHY activities. More then 71 countries now have national IHY committees and related activities. The Office for Outer Space Affairs has, as a part of its outreach activities in promoting the IHY 2007, distributed over 8,000 brochures on IHY in all languages of the UN. Such brochures are also available to you as hand-outs here during the inauguration ceremony.
Statement by Dr. Sergio Camacho-Lara Director, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs Vienna, AUSTRIA
Ladies and gentlemen The main goal of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs is to have all 192 Member States of the United Nations participate in the IHY 2007. It is but to be stressed that International Heliophysical Year 2007 commemorates not only 50 years since the International Geophysical Year set a milestone in the beginning of space exploration but also marks 50 years of the interest of the United Nations in outer space. Allow me also to express my sincere thanks to all who have made this event possible, my sincere thanks go in particular to the United States, NASA for valuable contribution to this exhibition and to the IHY Secretariat for its role in promoting the activities of the International Heliophysical year 2007 throughout the world. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the Austrian Academy of Sciences for hosting tomorrow the one-day Science Meeting on IHY 2007. Within the United Nations, I greatly appreciate the assistance provided by Mr. Romain Kieffer, and the staff of the General Service Section, and Mr. Alireza Ghaemi, Mr. Kamal Kaveh and the staff of the Buildings Management Section of UNIDO. Both sections arranged for this exhibit to be assembled. Our appreciation also goes to Mr. Nauludole Mataitini, Mr. Christian Wendlinger and the staff of the Safety and Security Section, who have been vigilantly watching over the exhibit ever since it was set-up. Thanks also go to Ms. Phillipa Lawrence and Mr. Nyron Sequeira of the Office of the Director-General for her assistance with protocol matters. Many thanks go to Ms. Nasra Hassan, Ms. Sonja Wintersberger and the staff of the United Nations Information Service, who have done such a good job spreading the word. Last, but in no way least, I would like to thank Dr. Hans Haubold of the Programme on Space Applications of the Office for Outer Space Affairs for being a key focal point of the Office for all the activities of the International Heliophysical Year and to Mr. Robert Wickramatunga of the Office for Outer Space Affairs for his overall coordination of this exhibition. Thank you.
Statement by Prof. Helmut O. RUCKER Space Research Institute Graz Austrian Academy of Sciences
Ladies and Gentlemen, The "Fire of Heaven," one of the most fascinating phenomena connected to solar-terrestrial relationships, are the polar lights, and more than 650 years ago, around the year 1350, the very first and precise description of an auroral display can be found the "Book of Nature" written by the scholar Konrad von Megenberg. S Still lacking physical explanation, this was a remarkable step forward in view of the fact that in the early days of mankind those auroral phenomena have been interpreted as signs of God, heralding the forthcoming end of the world. The fiftieth anniversary of the International Geophysical Year 1957 comes to its initiation at this Opening Ceremony of the International Heliophysical Year 2007, and on behalf of the President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences I am pleased to forward his best regards and recommendations to all representatives of IHY. In continuation of an international cooperation five decades ago, which involved about 60.000 scientists from more than 60 nations, and which focused on the study of global phenomena at the Earth and near-Earth Space, the International Heliophysical Year 2007 extends Geophysics to Heliophysics, comprising the Sun, Earth, and the outer reaches of the heliosphere, and even includes the interaction of the solar wind plasma with the interstellar medium, involving scientists and engineers from all Member States of the United Nations. As Austrian Representative of the IHY and as Member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, I am very much honoured to say that in the tradition of international cooperation the Austrian Academy has played a significant role: The first International Polar Year was the idea of the Austro-Hungarian Naval lieutenant Karl Weyprecht who, in 1875 proposed to the Austrian Academy the establishment of an international collaboration for a systematic exploration of the arctic region. Following his proposal, the "First International Polar Year 1882/83" has been realized. Exactly 125 years after this date, and 50 years after the legacy of the International Geophysical Year, the at present starting IHY 2007 focuses on objectives, where the Austrian Academy of Sciences, in particular the Space Research Institute, located at Graz, is again significantly involved. Studies of solar plasma physics, the development and evolution of Coronal Mass Ejections, and the impact of these high speed solar wind streams on planetary environments, in the case of Earth the dramatic changes in the magnetospheric configuration with all effects on geostationary satellites and power lines on the ground, summarized as Space Weather, are in the focal point of our investigations. Scientists from the Space Research Institute are also engaged in co-investigator positions of the NASA/STEREO mission, in leading positions of the ESA/Cluster, the ESA/CSA Double Star or the most recent NASA/THEMIS missions. The achieved performance and the prestige of the Space Research Institute are made possible by being firmly embedded within the Austrian Academy of Sciences which provides an excellent scientific environment for such long-term investigations. The IHY Science Meeting tomorrow in the premises of the Austrian Academy underlines both dedication from our side and appreciation from the side of IHY. Austrian contributions to the IHY are also provided by the Universities in Vienna and Graz, and all these activities are summarized in a poster we shall have the opportunity to look at. Finalizing, besides the enhancement of scientific understanding of heliophysics, the most intriguing aspect of the International Heliophysical Year 2007 is the international collaborative spirit, well represented by the United Nations, providing a global view on the beauty and relevance of heliophysics to our world. Statement by Prof. Dr. Hans Haubold United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, On behalf of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs it is my pleasure to express the appreciation to the Government of Austria and to the Austrian Academy of Sciences, particular to His Excellency, the President of the Academy, for hosting this Science Meeting on the occasion of the International Heliophysical Year 2007. This international year was officially inaugurated at yesterday's evening ceremony at the United Nations Office Vienna. In preparation of the International Heliophysical Year 2007, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, in cooperation with the IHY Secretariat and NASA, held several international workshops, such as the one in the United Arab Emirates in 2005 and in India in 2006, and is currently preparing such a workshop to be held at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan in Tokyo, in June 2007. Results of these workshops are known as the United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative, through which the IHY assists in deploying small instruments, particularly to developing nations, to establish world-wide instrument arrays for global measurements of solar-terrestrial and heliospheric phenomena. The Initiative provides meaningful participation for developing and industrialized nations and facilitates contacts between the instrument providers and universities in potential instrument host nations. The Initiative has a 3-year work plan through 2008, initiated by the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and supported by the UN General Assembly in its resolution 60/99 of 2005. The main goal of the Office for Outer Space Affairs is to have all 192 Member States of the United Nations participate in IHY 2007. On a continuing basis, the Office disseminates IHY information to Governments, through the 185 Permanent Missions of Member States to the United Nations and to space related institutions, through the 178 offices of the United Nations Development Programme. It is but to be stressed that International Heliophysical Year 2007 commemorates not only 50 years since the International Geophysical Year set a milestone in the beginning of international cooperation and space exploration, but also marks 50 years of the interest of the United Nations in outer space. Additional to the world-wide outreach for IHY, demonstrating the beauty, relevance, and significance of space and Earth sciences to the world, there is a great expectation that further advance in heliophysics may contribute to fundamental progress of physics. I am referring to this expectation, having in mind the involvement of the United Nations in the Year of Physics in 2005 with the celebrations of Albert Einstein's Annus Mirabilis and even last year's celebrations for Ludwig Boltzmann. There is a strong indication for the need to develop statistical mechanics beyond Boltzmann's and Einstein's concepts and there is an evenly strong indication that heliophysics will make a significant contribution to this endeavour. We are aware that Ludwig Boltzmann was a member of this Academy and it generates a honourable feeling that this IHY Science Meeting is taking place at the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Allow me also to express my sincere thanks to all who have made this Science Meeting possible, special thanks go in particular to the Austrian National Committee for IHY, to the European Planetology Network, and to the IHY Secretariat for their role in promoting and supporting the activities of the International Heliophysical Year 2007. We are also grateful for the cooperation with secretariats of the International Polar Year, the International Year of Planet Earth, and the Electronic Geophysical Year, which all are organized in one way or another through the United Nations system. Thank you for your attention. Presentations from the IHY Opening Workshop |
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