Solar Max: New Thoughts on Why and When
Thursday morning. Solar maximum is coming, with possible strong effects on Earth's communications and power systems. We will hear the latest research on processes that cause the Sun's cyclical variations: the solar interior, atmosphere, corona, and wind, and possible links between internal and external processes. We will also learn the latest on modeling the cycle and more accurately predicting the time of the maximum.
Astrobiology: Oxymoron No More
Thursday morning. Seeking extraterrestrial life within our own solar system is no longer considered a quixotic pursuit. The search for life on Europa is, for example, linked with investigations into the origins of life on Earth.
El Niño's Arctic Cousin
Thursday afternoon. The Arctic Oscillation, once known as the North Atlantic Oscillation, is now recognized as one of the most important factors in weather and temperature all across the Arctic. We will learn the latest on the physical basis of the Arctic Oscillation, its relationship to El Niño and other periodic atmospheric variations, and its possible role in lowering surface temperatures in some far northern land areas.
Galileo at Io
Friday noon. This session will report results from spacecraft Galileo's closest ever fly-by of Io, Jupiter's volcanic moon. It will consist of new findings since the November 19 NASA Space Science Update on this subject.
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II. Events of interest to the media (in chronological order)
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Contact: Harvey Leifert
hleifert@agu.org
202-777-7507
American Geophysical Union
18-Nov-1999