About IHY

IHY VISION STATEMENT

Heliophysical: A broadening of the concept "geophysical," extending the connections from the Earth to the Sun & interplanetary space. On the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, the 2007 IHY activities will build on the success of IGY 1957 by continuing its legacy of system-wide studies of the extended heliophysical domain.

In 1957 a program of international research, inspired by the International Polar Years of 1882 and 1932, was organized as the International Geophysical Year (IGY) to study global phenomena of the Earth and geospace. The IGY involved about 60,000 scientists from 67 nations, working at thousands of stations, from pole to pole to obtain simultaneous, global observations on Earth and in space. There had never been anything like it before.

2007 will mark the 50th Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) and 50 years of space exploration. As we also approach the 50th anniversary of NASA, we have established an extensive suite of spacecraft and observatories, our "Great Observatory," which places us on the verge of a system-wide understanding of the entire interconnected heliophysical system. Fifty years after the IGY, the world's science community will again come together for an international program of scientific collaboration: the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) 2007.

As we approach the limit of human exploration and prepare for humanity's first encounter with interstellar space, we have expanded our concept of "geophysics" to embrace other planets, interplanetary space, and the Sun itself. The term "heliophysical" is an extension of the term "geophysical," where the Earth, Sun & Solar System are studied not as separate domains but through the universal processes governing the human realm of space.

The IHY has three primary objectives:

Advancing our Understanding of the Fundamental Heliophysical Processes that Govern the Sun, Earth and Heliosphere
Continuing the tradition of international research and advancing the legacy on the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year
Demonstrating the Beauty, Relevance and Significance of Space and Earth Science to the World

International leaders have been identified throughout the world for this event, which will involve all 191 United Nations member states, with active planning teams in every region. Activities include Coordinated Investigation Programs (CIPs) between scientists around the world, the "IGY Gold" history preservation initiative, global educational activities and events and a United Nations-sponsored program to establish space science activities in developing nations.

To learn how IHY's activities fit together, go to How IHY Works. You can also learn more about IHY's Science Goals.