European Geosciences Union (EGU) 2011General Assembly…some UAP topics

Having participated to the last EGU assembly in Vienna last April, I would like to bring forward a short feedback and some materials (abstracts & posters PDF files) relating to some interventions which related to the UAP topic…

1. The EGU

The European Geosciences Union (EGU), founded in 2002 as a merger of the European Geophysical Society (EGS) and the European Union of Geosciences (EUG), is a dynamic, innovative, and interdisciplinary learned association devoted to the promotion of the sciences of the Earth and its environment and of planetary and space sciences; and to the cooperation between scientists.  Every year the EGU General Assembly brings together during a week geoscientists from all over the world into one meeting covering all disciplines of the Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences. 

 2. EGU 2011 Assembly

The EGU General Assembly 2011 (Vienna, 3-8 April, 2011) was an important event and a great success, featuring an impressive amount of 4,333 oral and 8,439 poster presentations, in a dozen union wide and 520 disciplinary sessions! To give an example about the wealth of the programme, under the programme group “Atmospheric Sciences” which was of particular interest to me, there was a split of four main domains (Meteorology, Boundary layer processes, Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols, Interdisciplinary sessions in Atmospheric Sciences), grouping more than 60 different sessions !

The scientific programme included Union Symposia, Interdivision Sessions, Educational and Outreach Symposia, as well as oral and poster sessions on disciplinary and interdisciplinary topics covering the full spectrum of the geosciences and the space and planetary sciences. Furthermore, Key Note and Medal Lectures, Great Debates, Short Courses, Union Masterclasses, Townhall Meetings, and Splinter Meetings completed the overall programme. At the 2011 conference, a total of 10,725 scientists from 96 countries participated (of which 28% students).

3. Sessions
I had the great pleasure to meet at this conference Bjørn Gitle Hauge and Erling Strand from the Østfold University College, and Elisabeth Blanc from the CEA. These persons are studying the mysterious Hessdalen Phenomena and presented for the first time their research projects at the EGU. It appears now obvious to me that any research on unexplained atmospheric phenomena can only be presented to scientific conferences, if linked as a starting point to a potential defined natural phenomenon (e.g. lightning, sprites, aurora, airglows). In addition, it appeared from my discussions that even if the Hessdalen Phenomena is relatively well known (as it has starting been noticed at the beginning of the 80s), still some scientists were not at first convinced that it was a genuine phenomena. At least they changed their mind after having had the opportunity to talk extensively to Mr Hauge,Strand and Ms Blanc.

- Lightning: physics, detection and atmospheric effects

a->> The Hessdalen Phenomena (Erling Strand)

Abstract: EGU2011 ES Abstract 9137

Poster:  egu2011 ES poster EGU 2011-9137

b->> Optical spectroscopy and radar analysis of transient luminous phenomena in the low atmosphere over Hessdalen valley NORWAY (Bjørn Gitle Hauge)

Abstract: EGU2011 BGH Abstract-13262

Poster: (to be uploaded)

c->> Infrasound and wideband electric field measurements during Hessdalen Science camp 2010 (Thomas Farges, Elisabeth Blanc, and Bjørn Gitle Hauge)

Abstract: EGU2011 EB Abstract 9137

Poster: EGU2011 EB poster

Concerning The Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP)  Observations Reporting Scheme, I had chosen to submit two posters presentations (accepted) under some others sessions:

- Aurora, Airglow and Transient Luminous Events in Planetary Atmospheres

d->> Towards a better understanding of unusual atmospheric events: the Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP) Observations Reporting Scheme.

 Abstract: EGU2011 Abstract PA 9442-3

 Poster: (to be uploaded)

And:

 - Science in tomorrow’s classroom

e->> Observed a mysterious aerial event that you can’t explain? The UAP Observations Reporting Scheme as a tool for demystifying UFOs and stimulating interest in science.

 Abstract:EGU2011 Abstract PA _outreach -13487-6

 Poster: (to be uploaded)

      Overall the feedback on my posters was good; as people recognize the need to explain to the General Public what they could observe in the sky of a mysterious nature…Also the Geosciences community was well aware of the Sprites historical example, and that there is always the possibility for the scientific community to learn something, based on unexplained observations. For many years very little attention and credence was given by the scientific community to airline pilots’ sightings of strange luminous glows above thunderstorms. It was only in 1989 that some university researchers accidentally took a video of luminous events that provided the first documented evidence. These phenomenons, now called “Sprites” and “Blue Jets”, were revealed to be large-scale electrical discharges that occur high above thunderstorm clouds.

But certainly data is needed before the scientists get engaged into any kind of UAP research.  This is the reason why the research currently being done on the Hessdalen Phenomena needs to be pursued. Any significant result would allow increasing the involvement of the research community, and directly legitimising the study of mysterious and unexplained atmospheric phenomena….Stay tuned>>>>

Initiated during 2009 and under the framework of the International Year of
Astronomy, The UAP Observations Reporting Scheme is a project aimed at
facilitating the collection of UAP reports from both amateur and professional
astronomers, via a questionnaire to be downloaded from a dedicated website
(www.uapreporting.org)

Read more at UAP Reporting