We are pleased to announce the 23nd Annual International Astrophysics Conference - Physics of the Solar Wind and its Impact on the very Local Interstellar Medium to be held at the Hotel KINGS COURT in Prague, Czech Republic, from March 15ᵗʰ to March 19ᵗʰ, 2027. (Welcome Reception and Evening Registration begins Sunday, March 14ᵗʰ).
About
The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), launched in September 2025, is exploring both the outer heliosphere and the local solar wind at 1 AU, linking physical processes near the Sun to their effects at the heliosphere's edge. This work builds on major milestones: humanity's closest solar observations, Voyager 1 & 2's interstellar exploration nearing its 49th anniversary, Solar Orbiter's upcoming high-latitude passes, and New Horizons' anticipated crossing of the termination shock within the next few years.
The 23rd AIAC will cover the origin and evolution of the solar wind, its interaction with the local interstellar medium, and related interplanetary physics — including coronal heating, turbulence, switchbacks, shocks, energetic particle acceleration and transport, and the exchange of galactic cosmic rays and neutral atoms between the heliosphere and interstellar space. A central theme remains the universality of the physical processes shaping the solar wind and its interaction with the surrounding interstellar medium.
AIAC Director: Dr. Gary P. Zank
Dr. Gary Zank received his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Natal in South Africa in 1987. Gary is an Eminent Scholar and Distinguished Professor, Director of Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR) at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. Gary has been recognized in his field through the receipt of numerous honors and awards throughout his career. In 2017, he was named the University of Alabama Board of Trustees Trustee Professor, the first and only University of Alabama System faculty member to achieve this position. In part, this was in recognition of Dr Zank being elected in 2016 as a Member of the US National Academy of Sciences, the only person in AL to be a member of this august body.
Most recently, Zank was selected by the American Geophysical Union to receive the 2025 John Adam Fleming Medal, considered the top honor for space physics and related disciplines, awarded annually to a senior scientist who is an established leader in their field. In 2026, he received the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Space Science Award, presented during the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Florence, Italy, one of the highest honors in international space science. In recognition of his career contributions, Minor Planet 21039, a 2.4-kilometer-wide stony asteroid located in the inner region of the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, has been officially designated 21039 Zank in his honor.
Meeting Location
Prague, the historic capital of the Czech Republic, is renowned for its stunning blend of Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture that has earned its Old Town the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city's iconic Prague Castle, one of the largest ancient castle complexes in the world, has watched over the Vltava River for over a thousand years, while the medieval Charles Bridge remains one of Europe's most celebrated crossings. Prague's long history as a center of learning and intellectual achievement is reflected in Charles University, founded in 1348 as the oldest university in Central Europe, which helped shape the city into a hub for scientific inquiry that would later produce luminaries such as Johannes Kepler and Albert Einstein, both of whom conducted research there. This blend of storied history and scientific legacy highlights Prague's unique role as a bridge between past and future, uniting centuries of human curiosity with the ongoing pursuit of understanding the universe.
Travel Information
Reaching Prague is easy with several travel options:
- Direct Flights: American Airlines offers seasonal direct flights to Prague from Philadelphia (PHL), and Delta offers seasonal direct flights from New York (JFK). Check current schedules, as these routes typically run during the spring/summer/fall travel season.
- Via a European Hub: Fly to a major European hub such as London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Paris, then take a short connecting flight (roughly 1.5–2.5 hours) to Prague.
- Via a European Hub - Train: For travelers already in Central Europe, Prague is well connected by rail, with scenic train routes from cities such as Vienna (about 4 hours), Berlin (about 4.5 hours), and Munich (about 6 hours).
For details on the conference hotel location, including its proximity to airports and transportation options, visit our Accommodations page.
Photos from the Event
Shared after the event