A seminar on extreme solar activity and space weather events was held at Ventspils University
November 12, 2025
An international event — the VIRAC Seminar on Extreme Solar Activity and Space Weather Events — took place in 11 November, 2025, at Ventspils University (VUAS). It was organised by the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC) as part of the project “International cooperation and innovation of Ventspils University for the development of Latvia’s smart specialisation” (No. 1.1.1.5/3/25/I/012), with co-funding from the European Regional Development Fund.
The seminar was attended by scientists and researchers from Latvia and abroad. Its aim was to strengthen the exchange of experience and scientific results concerning extreme manifestations of solar activity and their impact on the ionosphere, Earth’s magnetic field, and the security of modern technological systems.
The programme included presentations of research carried out by VIRAC and round-table discussions on current and planned projects in the field of space weather. Special attention was given to studies of solar flares, ionospheric disturbances, and geomagnetic storms, as well as to strengthening international cooperation.
Several internationally recognised experts took part in the seminar, including:
- Dr. Ilya Usoskin, Head of the Oulu Cosmic Ray Station (Finland),
- Dr. Mykhailo Orlyuk, Lead Researcher at the Institute of Geophysics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,
- Mikhailo Ryabov, Lead Researcher at the URAN-4 Observatory and Radio Astronomy Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,
- Endika Aguirre, Researcher at Public University of Navarre (Spain),
- and VIRAC researchers Vladislavs Bezrukovs and Jānis Šteinbergs.
The seminar served as an important platform for the exchange of knowledge, identifying new research directions, and strengthening international cooperation. VSRC has been involved in space weather research for several years, focusing on its practical application to the safety of communications, navigation, and other critical infrastructures. Currently, VSRC researchers are implementing three scientific projects funded by the Latvian Council of Science, using VSRC radio telescopes and the LOFAR and JIVE-ERIC infrastructures.
The seminar was held within the framework of the project “Ventspils University of Applied Sciences` International Cooperation and Innovation for the Development of Latvia’s Smart Specialisation” (No. 1.1.1.5/3/25/I/012), co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
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