The NASA SHIELD DRIVE Science Center
SHIELD Summer School in Plasma Processes at the Edge of the Solar System
May 22nd – May 26th, 2023 at Boston University, Boston Massachusetts
Applications for the 2024 Summer School will open in late Fall of 2023
Please email shieldoutreach@bu.edu with questions.
The 2023 Inaugural SHIELD Summer School in Plasma Processes at the Edge of the Solar System was held at Boston University during May 22-26, 2023. The summer school was an intensive one-week course in the most challenging plasma processes that drive the structure and dynamics at the Edge of the Solar System.
Our summer school is appropriate to graduate, advanced undergraduate students, and new postdoctoral researchers interested in solar and space physics. We also encourage applications from those working in adjacent fields such as stellar and astrophysics, exoplanets, or geophysics who want to deepen their understanding of the processes of the solar wind and its interaction with the interstellar medium. SHIELD is committed to improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and encourages applicants from members of historically excluded communities.
Leading research scientists working in the outer heliosphere give lectures on plasma processes and phenomena in play at the edge of the solar system. Topics covered include reconnection, turbulence, neutral-plasma interactions; overview of the structure of the heliosphere; and theory and practice of interpreting spacecraft data from missions such as Voyager, New Horizons, and IBEX. Please check the schedule link for an updated schedule.
Summer School participants not only engage in stimulating lectures from both senior and early career researchers who are leading the field into the future, but also engage in activities around interpreting data and evaluating model results. There are also opportunities for networking with the lecturers and peers. On the last day participants engage in discussions around the DEI issues in the Heliophysics community.
The summer school is supported by NASA under the SHIELD DRIVE Center. Travel and lodging is arranged and paid for by SHIELD and participants are provided a small stipend for other expenses.
