Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 15:48:53 +0100 From: Henri-Claude Nataf_________________________________________________________________________________ We are pleased to announce the launch of the following Winter School : PLANETARY DYNAMOS in honour of Professor Friedrich Busse March 30 - April 4, 2003 Center of Physics Les Houches France Nearly all celestial objects produce or have produced a magnetic field. Since 1935, it is admitted that the physical mechanism responsible forthis is the self-sustained dynamo mechanism : motions in an electrically conducting fluid generate a magnetic field. It is only recently that consistent numerical models of planetary dynamos have been constructed. The rotation of the planet plays an important role in these models. Open questions include the physics of magnetic field reversals and the identification of the relevant dynamic regiomes. In year 2000, two experimental dynamos have produced a magnetic field, in Riga and in Karlsruhe. This success opens the way for further experiments that will include some of the ingredients of planetary dynamos. On the observational side, things are moving quickly as well, with spectacular data on the Earth's magnetic field measured in several satellite missions, and surprising magnetic signatures on Mars and other objects of the solar system. This one-week workshop will survey the several fields that contribute to the understanding of planetary dynamos, with input from geophysics, astrophycis, physics, mathematics and mechanics. Graduate students and young researchers are particularly welcome, and the lecturers will try to convey a well-structured image of the topic they cover. As usual in Les Houches, there will be plenty of time for discussions and interactions. The goal is that all participants depart with new ideas and new projects that will contribute to a renewed understanding of planetary dynamos. Please consult : www-lgit.obs.ujf-grenoble.fr/houches/index.htm