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COSPAR Commission H:

Fundamental Physics in

Space

Presentation for

From Quantum to Cosmos

by

John Mester

Stanford University

22 May 2006© Alan Bean, courtesy Greenwich Workshop Inc

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COSPAR – the Committee on Space Research was established by the

International Council for Science 1958 International Council for Science -Umbrella NGO founded in 1931 Antecedents: IGY and Sputnik

COSPAR Mission Promote scientific research in space Provide a forum for the discussion of information and the exchange of results Objectives pursued through:

Biennial Scientific Assemblies Publications: Elsevier's ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH

COSPAR annual report submitted to United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

Introduction to COSPAR

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COSPAR Organizing Structure

Governed by a Bureau and Council

BureauCOSPAR President: R-M. Bonnet (France)Vice-Presidents: W. Hermsen (NL)

E.C. Stone (USA)

Council Representatives of Member National Scientific Institutions International Scientific Unions, (e.g. IUPAP)Chairs of COSPAR Scientific Commissions

Space Studies Board of National Academy of Sciences serves as the U.S. National Committee for COSPAR

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COSPAR Scientific Structure 8 Scientific Commissions

A: Earth's Surface, Meteorology and Climate B: Earth-Moon System, Planets, and Small Solar System Bodies C: Upper Atmospheres of the Earth and Planets D: Plasmas in the Solar System, Planetary Magnetospheres E: Astrophysics from Space F: Life Sciences as Related to Space G: Materials Sciences in Space H: Fundamental Physics in Space

Commission H Organization Chair: A. M. Cruise (UK) Vice Chairs: M. Lee (USA)

J. Mester (USA)T. Sumner (UK)

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COSPAR Commission H Commission H established in 1996

Recognition of emerging field not served by other commissions Inclusive Definition

1) fundamental physical laws governing matter, space and time gravitational and particle physics, study of gravitational waves in space, equivalence principle tests, the search for new hypothetical long-range forces, the search for antimatter in the universe, unification of the fundamental interactions of Nature.

2) organizing principles from which structure and complexity emerge quantum phenomena and their applications critical phenomena in superfluids Bose-Einstein condensation symmetry principles in macroscopic physics renormalization group studies laser cooling technologies for advanced clocks and rotation sensors

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Advantages of Space for Fundamental Physics

from Everitt et al. ASR -a COSPAR Publication

Above theAtmosphere

Optical reference, γ-rays, particlephysic s (AMS)

RemoteBenchmarks

Luna r rangin , g Mar s radartransponder

Larg e Distances LISA, ASTROD, LATOR

Reduce d Gravity Condense d Matter, Lase r Cooli ,ngPrecision Clocks, Inerti al Sensing

Seism ically Quiet LI SA , STEP , MicroSCOPE

Varying φ GP-A, SUMO

Varying g STEP , MicroSCOPE

Separatio n ofeffects

GP-B choic e of orbit

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36th COSPAR Scientific Assembly Beijing, China, 16 – 23

July 2006 Commission H Sessions to include talks on

Equivalence Principle Tests Space tests of General Relativity GR in the Strong Field Limit Gravitational Waves Precision Clock Experiments Atom Interferometry in Space Cold Quantum Gases in Micro-Gravity

Joint Commission E/Commission H Sessions Particle Astrophysics X ray and γ Ray Astrophysics Studies of Black Holes Micro-Satellite Science