Winter School "Diversity of planetary circulation regimes, in our solar system and beyond"

We will present the recent observational data and modelling studies pertaining to the variety of planetary atmospheres circulation regimes, including giant and terrestrial planets. We will also discuss the theory of planetary physical processes (e.g. circulation, dynamics, thermodynamics, radiative transfer, cloud microphysics) and review the current status of the modelling of planetary atmospheres in order to calculate observables such as light curves. This interdisciplinary school wishes to contribute to bridging the gap between Earth science, planetary science, and astrophysics.

The Physics school of Les Houches is located in the French Alps (Savoy) and has been hosting worldwide renowned training and scientific events since 1951. Lodging and food are provided on site. Ample time will be reserved for individual and joint social activities. Arrival is Sunday 5th of march from 3pm.

All practical information concerning reaching the location of the school and the available facilities can be found at: https://houches.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/en/

Topics that will be addressed are the following:

• What are the various circulation regimes of Earth, Solar system planets and exoplanets (theory/observation)?
• What have we learned from Earth climate dynamics that can be applied to exoplanets?
• Which properties are relevant for habitability?
• How can we use knowledge of planetary physics to better understand the Earth climate system and its response to forcings?
• How do the very diverse radiation regimes affect the circulation? What are the main feedbacks?
• How to deal with complex processes such as clouds, shocks, lightenings, hydrological cycle, weathering?
• How to construct flexible modeling tools?

Lectures will be delivered by about 20 speakers. The number of additional participants is limited to 50. The deadline to apply is January, 15th 2017, and early applicants will be given priority. The participants will be encouraged to bring over a poster for presenting their research activities. Full or partial financial support will be provided to selected participants. Details for registrations are given in the school website: http://leshouchesplanets2017.zmaw.de/

For questions, please contact Nicolas Iro (nicolas.iro[at]uni-hamburg.de).

The organizing committee:
Daniel Apai (Department of Astronomy, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA)
Francois Forget (LMD, CNRS, Paris, France)
Nicolas Iro, (CEN - Institute of Meteorology, University of Hamburg, Germany)
Valerio Lucarini (CEN - Institute of Meteorology, University of Hamburg, Germany/Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Reading, Reading, UK)
Raymond Pierrehumbert (Department of Physics, Oxford University, Oxford, UK)