Workshop boosts international collaboration for Space Physics

Gazing at the heavens has a different meaning for scientists than for students who use it as an excuse for spending time with a beloved.  Especially so for the scientists who attended the international workshop on cosmic rays in the heliosphere during March this year.  The workshop was hosted by the Unit for Space Physics of the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus and was held at Stonehenge in the Vredefort Dome. 

Several scientists attended an international workshop on cosmic rays in the heliosphere hosted by the Unit for Space Physics of the NWU-Puk. Among the delegates are Prof Adri Burger (Director of the Unit), Prof Marius Potgieter, Prof Stefan Ferreira and Dr Ingo Busching.

The main purpose of the workshop was to foster collaboration between the participants, and in particular to serve as a capacity building effort for heliosphace physics in South Africa and Germany.
  The 23 overseas visitors travelled from the USA, Germany and Italy to attend the workshop. Apart from them 18 NWU researchers and students also attended.
  Prof Marius Potgieter of the NWU hosted the workshop and it was officially opened by the Vice-Rector: Research and Planning, Prof Amanda Lourens.
  Shortly after the workshop, during April 2010, the Unit for Space Physics was accepted as an associate member of NITheP, or the National Institute for Theoretical Physics.  Benefits of this membership are mostly financial, says Prof Adri Burger, Director of the Unit for Space Physics at the NWU.
  According to Prof Frederik Scholtz, the Director of NITheP, the benefits are twofold.  This includes financial support to cover accommodation and subsistence for visiting collaborators.  
  The Unit for Space Physics also have access to NITheP’s workshop and research programs, which includes support for workshops or research programs held at the Unit.