Brajša et al. 2022 paper selected for the cover page of Astronomische Nachrichten

Written by Jaša Čalogović Monday, 28 March 2022 11:39

Recently published Brajša et al. 2022 paper “A prediction for the 25th solar cycle maximum amplitude“ was chosen for the cover page of the March issue of the Astronomische Nachrichten journal. Figure at the cover page shows the smoothed monthly sunspot number in solar cycle maxima as a function of the same quantity three years before the preceding solar minimum, for solar cycles number 1–24. Least-square fits obtained with and without the peculiar solar cycle no. 19 are presented as blue and red solid lines, respectively. Dashed lines represent uncertainty of the fits. The location of solar cycle no. 19 is represented by the filled circle, while all other cycles are represented with open circles. Knowing that the last solar minimum was in December 2019, this correlation allows a prediction of the amplitude of solar cycle 25: Rmax = 121 ± 33. Brajša et al. analysis indicates that the next solar maximum will be of the similar amplitude as the previous one, or even something lower.

Asteroid named also after Bojan Vršnak

Written by Jaša Čalogović Thursday, 24 March 2022 14:26

Yet another asteroid 179847 (2002 TS315) got name in honor of Dr. Bojan Vršnak discovered also by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey telescope on 4.10.2002. Dr. Bojan Vršnak, scientific advisor working at Hvar Observatory, is one of leading astrophysicist in Croatia and major contributor to astronomy education in Croatia. He has authored several textbooks on plasma physics and received numerous international outstanding prizes for his excellent work such as "Kristian Birkeland Medal" and he was listed as top 2% most cited scientist worldwide.

Eugene Parker (1927-2022), a solar physics legend

Written by Mateja Dumbovic Friday, 18 March 2022 13:26

Prof. Eugene N. Parker, a solar physics legend who first proposed the concept of the solar wind and is thus a namesake of the Parker Solar Probe mission passed away on 15 March at the age of 94. His great contributions to the field of solar physics were summarized in the obituary published by the University of Chicago:

“Parker was internationally known for proposing the concept of the solar wind—an idea that was first met with skepticism to outright ridicule. The theory was later proven to be correct, reshaping our picture of space and the solar system. Parker went on to revolutionize the field of astrophysics, unraveling the complex physics behind magnetic fields in space and the dynamics of plasma. In August 2018, at the age of 91, he became the first person to witness the launch of their namesake spacecraft.

Read more: Eugene Parker (1927-2022), a solar physics legend

Why is space weather so important: the SpaceX example

Written by Mateja Dumbovic Thursday, 10 March 2022 15:42

In the editorial paper “SpaceX—Sailing Close to the Space Weather?” of the new issue of Space Weather Journal the Editors remarked on the recent SpaceX satellite loss due to geomagnetic storm and lessons to be learned from the event.

Read more: Why is space weather so important: the SpaceX example

Asteroid named after Hrvoje Božić

Written by Jaša Čalogović Monday, 28 February 2022 12:05

According to the Bulletin for the Nomenclature of Small Solar System Bodies of the International Astronomical Union (IAU-WGSBN Bulletin, 7.2.2022), asteroid 179221, discovered on 14.10.2001 by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey telescope was named in honor of Dr. Hrvoje Božić, Hvar Observatory scientific advisor who recently retired. The explanation for this naming states the exceptional scientific contribution of Dr. Hrvoje Božić as the leading astrophysicist of the Hvar Observatory, and his leading role in astronomical education in Croatia. The discovery of this asteroid, as well as many other small bodies in the solar system, was made by Prof. Dr. Željko Ivezić team from the University of Washington. More about asteroids and their discovery you can read here in the article by Prof. Dr. Željko Andreić.

XVIIth Hvar Astrophysical Colloquium

Written by Jaša Čalogović Thursday, 16 September 2021 01:01

Due to still the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, XVIIth Hvar Astrophysical Colloquium – “The Sun and Heliosphere” will be organized ONLINE via Zoom platform. The program is planned for 3 hours every day from Monday to Friday, 20. – 24. September 2021 15:00 to 18:00 h CEST. There are altogether 4 sessions: 1. Solar Interior, dynamo, large scale flows and the Solar Cycle, 2. Dynamics and fundamental processes in the solar atmosphere, 3. Eruptive Processes in the Solar Atmosphere, 4. Dynamics of the Heliosphere, Solar-Terrestrial Relations, Solar Wind, Space Weather and Space Climate. Registration to XVIIth Hvar Astrophysical Colloquium is mandatory but free of charge.

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Announcing two open positions on the ESA project

Written by Jaša Čalogović Wednesday, 08 September 2021 11:09

The Hvar Observatory is announcing an open call for employment on a European Space Agency (ESA) project through a student contract. We search two candidates with the possibility of applying for a diploma thesis topic. You can get more information here (in Croatian).

Quiet solar storm named after International Women’s Day

Written by Jaša Čalogović Monday, 26 July 2021 12:20

Scientists from Hvar Observatory (Croatia), the University of Graz (Austria), and Skoltech (Russia) along with their colleagues from the U.S., Belgium, and China have investigated a peculiar solar storm that happened on the International Women’s Day 2019. The all-female research team unraveled how a double structure erupted from the Sun, resulting in a plethora of phenomena observed across the electromagnetic spectrum, eventually merging into a single structure that sped toward the Earth. Published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, the study contributes to accurate predictions of hostile space weather events. 

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Festival of Science 2021 - "Culture of Science"

Written by Jaša Čalogović Tuesday, 11 May 2021 14:13

This year's Festival of Science will be held from 10 to 15 May 2021 in 18 Croatian cities with the topic "Culture of Science" - What is culture and do we build a culture of science?". The novelty of this year's Festival of Science is a rich online program and for the more details about the Festival you can visit webpage here (in croatian). The Hvar Observatory also participated in the Festival of Science program with a video workshop "Space weather - how to predict the arrival of solar storms on Earth?" created by Karmen Martinić and Mateja Dumbović, which you can access here (only in croatian).

Mateja Dumbović received Alexander Chizhevsky Medal for Space Weather and Space Climate

Written by Jaša Čalogović Thursday, 04 March 2021 11:54

After EGU and SCOSTEP awards for distinguished young scientist Dr. Mateja Dumbović received another confirmation of exceptional contribution in the field of Space Weather – The Alexander Chizhevsky Medal for Space Weather and Space Climate. The prize rewards a young researcher (younger than 35 years, or having successfully defended her/his thesis within the last 6 years prior to the ESWW2020, i.e. after October 30th, 2014) for outstanding achievements in space weather with an innovative approach.
This award is given every year since 2014 to the best scientists by the European Space Agency, the Belgian Solar-Terrestrial Center of Excellence and the Space Weather Working Team, in collaboration with the scientific magazine Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate. Award ceremony was held online on 2.3.2021, opened by prof. Jean Lilensten, the chair of medal committee. Among friends and family, Croatian minister of Science and Education Dr. Radovan Fuchs dean of Faculty of Geodesy prof. Almin Đapo, head of Hvar Observatory Dr. Roman Brajša, representatives from Russian and Norwegian Academy of Sciences, as well as representatives from Croatian Agency for Science and Higher education attended the ceremony.

Read more: Mateja Dumbović received Alexander Chizhevsky Medal for Space Weather and Space Climate