Abstract: The impacts of climate change, drought and desertification are closely interlinked, and most acutely experienced by populations whose livelihoods depend principally on natural resources. Given the increases in extreme weather events projected to affect the dry regions, it is essential to assess how ecosystem adaptation have been helped or hindered by institutional structures and national policy instruments. In presentation would be presented two interlinked drivers of adaptation: climate change and desertification, their important concepts, as well as the concept of ecosystem services and their dependence on climate change and desertification.

Abstract: The main goal of this lecture is to offer an introduction and general overview of the United Nation’s Organization of Outer Space Agency and Committee on Peaceful Use of Outer Space (COPOUS) as well as a more specific portrayal of its Subcommittee’s and so-called Space Law, i.e. the legal body of treaties, conventions and resolutions adopted by the international community for the purpose of coordinating the cooperation on the peaceful exploration of humanity's latest frontier.

Abstract: The contribution of scientists and engineers of Armenian origin all over the world in the development of space technologies starting from the dawn of space era up to nowadays as well as the involvement of space-related institutions of Armenia in space programs of USSR is presented.

Abstract: If the Earth was an ideal sphere and all the artificial cosmic objects were traveling in the same direction with the same speed no collisions could happen. However, the situation is much complicated. Earth’s gravitation field varies and it causes drift or the gradual movement of an object to a different orbital plane. Continuously takes place friction of objects with Earth’s atmosphere. As a result, a slow decrease in an object’s altitude happens. Therefore, Earth’s orbit is getting increasingly crowded with millions of pieces of space debris smaller than 1 cm, according to NASA. This is a source of long-lasting plural collisions and formation of new debris. Kessler syndrome refers to a cascading effect of colliding debris creating additional debris and additional collisions.

Abstract: The report examines the three aspects of the space object conjunction problem. The process of preliminary harmless objects filtration is described in the first section. Based on analytical criteria, the filtration can significantly reduce the computation time. The second section focuses on methods for collision probability calculation. A comparative analysis of existing approaches is presented. The method based on Monte Carlo approach evolving. This method takes into account the 3D model and orientation of space objects on the dangerous time span. The subject of the third section is the problem of estimating the maneuver parameters performed by an active space object. Estimates of the implemented maneuvers and predicting a moving active space object, taking into account its similar anticipated maneuvers, allow to substantially increase the computation precision for dangerous approaches with that object. Analytical and numerical-analytical algorithms of estimating one-pulse and two-pulse maneuvers of short and long duration are proposed. Examples of calculation are presented for the series of maneuvers of the spacecraft in GEO.

Abstract: In this lecture, the principle of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is presented and explained, with a discussion of instrument aspects, data flow, and potential capabilities to “see at microwave frequency”. Information about past and operational microwave SAR instruments of the European Space Agency is used as illustration material with data examples. Interesting interferometric observations permit to Today such space-based instruments take part in the important European program “Copernicus”. Interferometry plays an important role, based on various scenarios. One can use the same instrument time sequential to distinguish between the two observation moments, of interest to analyze sudden changes in between, be it due to Earthquake or flooding or other impacting event and analyze with precision the differences.

Abstract: - Following the realization of the X-ray Mission, now called "Newton", the question arose what can be done with such high tech surface manufacturing technology as used for the grazing incidence X-ray mirror system in "Newton". Accurate panel fabrication for the ALMA radio telescope appeared to be possible. Results of such development will be presented together with some other intrinsic instrument properties always present when it concerns reflection and some reflection loss in mirrors. The presentation relates to the successful spin-off from a developed space technology with examples, including the ALMA radio telescope. Recent developments indicate global VLBI capability at 220 GHz involving the ALMA radio telescope as an important main receiving center. Something accordingly will be presented about today situation of the New Horizon Radio Telescope (as involved in the recent "black-hole"-shadow observation)
- some information about the "Newton" X-ray mission of ESA (see www.esa.int under scientific missions)

Abstract: Over the past few years, several fragmentation events have occurred at high geocentric orbits. This led to evolving thousands of fragments of space debris. The Russian specialists in collaboration with international partners collected sufficient data to perform complex analysis of these events. This presentation will provide detailed information on estimated orbital and physical characteristics of fragmentation events with illustrated examples of real data obtained with the ground optical facilities.

Abstract: SODISM is a kind of camera onboard the satellite Picard in orbit around the Earth. SODISM regularly takes photos of the Sun to study its atmosphere. We will use these images obtained during the transit of Venus (passage of Venus in front of the Sun for an observer on Earth) to explore the peculiarity of the space experiments. Our objective is to present some operational parts of a space experiment on a real example.

Abstract: I would like to do a lecture in relation to solar physics and Earth-Sun relationship. I will discuss The tools of observation (Telescope, spectrometer, radiometer, ...). I will give the scientific results. And I will finish with our new mission in relation to the radiative budget and the orientation of the climate in the future.

An Introductory Lecture to make acquainted the students with the prominent scientist of the 20th century and the founder of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) Viktor Ambartsumian (1908-1996) and BAO itself. Ambartsumian was the IAU President in 1961-1964, ICSU President in 1968-1972, the President of the Armenian Academy of Sciences in 1947-1993 and the Director of BAO in 1946-1988. His outstanding results in the field of theoretical astrophysics, stellar astrophysics, planetary nebulae, cosmic dense matter, the activity of the galactic nuclei, as well as theoretical physics and mathematics significantly changed our understanding about the Universe. Beside Ambartsumian’s works, BAO is well known by its surveys (Markarian Survey and others) and discovery of dozens of thousands of new cosmic objects: T Tau and flare stars, HH objects, cometary nebulae, carbon stars, white dwarfs, cataclysmic variables, Supernovae, UV-excess galaxies, AGN, Starbursts, compact groups of compact galaxies, etc. At present, BAO has official status by the Armenian Government as National Value and IAU South West and Central Asian Regional Centre of Astronomy for Development.

Astronomical studies have entered the multiwavelength era; to have an overall understanding about the cosmic objects and phenomena, observations and research are being made in Gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet (UV), optical, infrared (IR) and radio ranges. However, the Earth’s atmosphere is transparent only for limited ranges of the electromagnetic radiation and most of the studies and much better studies even for the transparent ranges (optical, some IR and radio) are possible from the Earth’s (or Sun’s) orbit. At present numerous Space telescopes are in operation and the Space Astronomy provides a vast amount of data from the Universe; most of them are projects by NASA (USA) and the European Space Agency (ESA, consortium of 22 countries). I will present the most important space telescopes (HST, IRAS, ROSAT, Spitzer, Herschel, Kepler, WISE, INTEGRAL, Fermi, Chandra, XMM, GALEX, Gaia, WMAP, Planck, and others) and the scientific results obtained from observations by them.

The Solar System contains billions of asteroids, meteorites, and other small objects. Among them, there are Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) that are potentially hazardous for the Earth and humanity. Two different approaches can be used to make an idea of the possible collisions with such objects. 1) historical, based on the meteorological statistics of the Earth, the dimensions of meteorites and the age of the craters on the Earth, and the frequency of collision with the meteorites of that dimension; and 2) astronomical study of all medium and large size objects and their orbits near the Earth; on the list, estimating the likelihood of collisions, angles and other parameters. Therefore, both issues will be discussed and our present knowledge of two phenomena is presented. Although dangerous NEA/NEOs are one of the major sources of cosmic catastrophes, other potentially dangerous hazards such as Solar radiation or even a slight change in Earth’s orbit, change of the Moon influence, Solar flares and other manifestations of activity, passages of comets, collisions and transitions in the Earth's atmosphere, global climate change, dilution of the Earth’s atmosphere, damage to the ozone layer, the near explosion of Supernovae, and even the possible attacks of outer civilizations.

Abstract: The technical achievements of our civilization are accompanied by certain negative affect the near-Earth space. The problem of contamination of near-Earth space by "space debris" as purely theoretical arose essentially as soon as the first artificial satellite in 1957 was launched. Since then, the rate of exploitation of near-Earth space has increased very rapidly. As a result, the problem of contamination of near-Earth space ceased to be only theoretical and transformed into a practical one.
The lecture examines the main anthropogenic factors in the development of near-Earth space, which is divided into several categories: mechanical, chemical, radioactive and electromagnetic pollution. The rate of contamination of near-Earth space at the current moment and forecasting for the near future are considered.

Abstract: The numerical model MIMOSA allows to understand and to predict the dynamics of the wind, vortex and the transport of air masses in the polar stratosphere (high altitude, 12-25 km). We will use MIMOSA maps to make understandable stratospheric notions of the polar vortex, ozone hole formation, and many other parameters related to space observation and survey of the polar regions.

Abstract: Understanding Polar Lows Using Satellite Imagery
During winter, small cyclones – typically 200 to 600 km in diameter – develop in subarctic regions over areas free of sea ice. The most intense cyclones are called polar lows. These severe storms usually form when polar air is transported over maritime areas. This cold and dry air destabilizes the lowest layers of the atmosphere when it arrives over relatively warm waters, creating a polar low.
Short-term forecasting of polar lows remains challenging, because they develop very rapidly, in areas with very few observations. The understanding of the formation of polar lows has been substantially improved with the advent of satellite observations in the late seventies.
Retreating sea ice exposes new ocean areas to extreme weather systems such as polar lows. Climate change could therefore potentially change where and when polar lows will occur in the future.
During the winter, small-scale cyclones, typically 200 to 600 km, develop on Arctic-free ice seas. The most intense of them are called Polar Lows. These severe low pressure systems usually form along the sea ice along warm ocean currents as a result of intrusions of polar air masses. Indeed, the icy and dry air coming either from the pack ice or from continents covered with ice destabilizes the lower layers of the troposphere when it circulates over the relatively hot open seas.
Considerable advances in knowledge of the structure, physics of polar lows came from satellite observation. But their short-term forecasting is still a challenge. Climate change could also change both regions and times of occurrence.

Abstract: Optical systems of modern fast wide-field telescopes are analyzed in terms of image quality, building complexity and costs. Examples are given for several working telescope systems A brief in recent years and perspective designs for next-generation survey observatories. A brief history of design and applications of moderate-size survey telescopes is given. The presented material is aimed to provide guidelines for choosing optimum telescope design and optimization of the whole optoelectronic imaging system and survey observatory.