CEDAR email: USNC-URSI 2013 HG5 Meteors, Orbital Debris and Dusty Plasmas

[Stan the Man]

CALL FOR PAPERS: 2013 National Radio Science Meeting URSI
January 9-12, 2013, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO

Joint Session HG5 “ Meteors, Orbital Debris, and Dusty Plasmas”
Organizers: Stan Briczinski (G) (stanley.briczinski.ctr at nrl.navy.mil)
                   Chris Crabtree (H) (chris.crabtree at nrl.navy.mil)

This session will cover various topics involving the detection, interaction, and characterization of solid matter in the near earth space plasma environment.  Topics including plasmas generated by hypervelocity impacts, detection and characterization of orbital debris and micrometeorite environment, and dusty plasmas in the near earth space environment will be considered. 

Classical radar meteor related topics including: classical meteor radar and large aperture radar observational techniques and results, as well as the theoretical and modeling topics on the plasma processes and radio science of meteor observations.  In particular, many questions remain on the radio science and plasma instability issues implicit to the head-echo and range-spread trail echo scattering mechanisms and how these questions influence our estimates of global meteoroid flux. New questions also exist on the possible influence of meteor-trails on E-region electrodynamics. Papers discussing how to approach these issues and the likely need for new radar capabilities are particularly encouraged.

Recently the National Research Council (NRC) conducted an exhaustive study to assess the dangers of orbital debris.  The NRC report concludes that we are at the ‘tipping point’ which is the threshold for a collisional cascade. The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office has determined that satellites collisions with small orbital debris in the range 0.5 mm – 1 cm can be mission-ending.  Debris in this scale size is difficult to track individually and hence cannot be evaded.  With these new findings in mind we encourage the submission of relevant orbital debris topics including:  characterization and observational techniques to detect the small and large debris population, the status of space situational awareness, the characterization of hypervelocity impacts (generation of secondary debris, plasma, and radio and optical emissions), active debris remediation techniques and dusty plasmas. 

The DEADLINE for online submission of abstracts is Friday September 21, 2012..  The meeting web page, http://nrsmboulder.org, contains general information, abstract submission instructions and guidelines. All abstracts for the URSI 2013 meeting must be submitted online. Please consult with the web page listed above for specific details.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION:
Abstracts must be a minimum of 250 words, abstracts not meeting the minimum length requirement will not be accepted. All abstracts must be received by Friday September 21, 2012 (firm deadline). Abstracts must be submitted electronically in pdf format through the conference website. See the website for complete submission instructions and forms.

ERNEST K. SMITH STUDENT PRIZE PAPER COMPETITION:

Prizes will be awarded to three graduate student papers. Awards will be made in the amounts of: First Prize ($1,000), Second Prize ($750), and Third Prize ($500). All papers must be received by Friday September 21, 2012 (firm deadline). Papers must be submitted electronically in pdf format to Prof. Steven Reising, Colorado State University, steven.reising at colostate.edu. Please see the website for instructions. Student papers and awards will be presented at the Plenary Session  Thursday morning, January 10, 2013