Space physics has entered a new phase of scientific research: major satellite missions around the Earth are phasing out and missions targeting the sun, heliosphere and outer planets are on the rise. On the other hand, small-sized multiple satellites and ground-based space physics systems are proliferating and gradually becoming more important sources of observations. With the increasing computing and artificial intelegence capability, developments of numerical simulations and data analysis methodologies have taken most of the attentions of the young generation away from physical understanding, a worrisome trend. Theoretical understanding of the space physics has started shifting from electrical engineering approaches to plasma physics approaches. New advancements occur in theories of partially ionized, collisional, radiative, magnetic plasma physics while ideal magnetohydrodynamic approaches remain to be the backbone of the understanding of the global-scale space physics systems. 

Paul SONG（宋普）教授1981年获山东大学光学专业学士学位，1986年获中国科学院空间物理研究所空间物理学硕士学位，1991年获加州大学洛杉矶分校地球物理与空间物理学博士学位。他曾任洛斯阿拉莫斯国家实验室科学顾问、国家大气研究中心高空观测所科学家、密歇根大学空间物理研究实验室副研究员。宋教授在空间物理学领域拥有广泛的研究经验，研究范围涵盖太阳、太阳风至地球磁层、电离层和日球层。他的研究方向包括数据分析与解读、模型构建、数据分析方法开发及多种仪器研制。当前主要研究涉及空间等离子体中的大功率低频发射机、太阳大气加热、超音速恒星风的形成、太阳风-磁层-电离层/热层耦合机制，以及科学哲学。他是空间天气学科奠基人之一，现任《地球物理研究-空间物理》期刊编辑。

Dr. Paul SONG received BS in Optics from Shandong University in 1981, MS in Space Physics from Institute of Space Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1986, and Ph.D. in Geophysics and Space Physics from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1991.  He was Scientific Consultant at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Scientist at High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, and Associate Research Scientist in the Space Physics Research Laboratory of the University of Michigan. Dr. Song has a broad range of research experience in space physics, from the Sun and solar wind to the Earth's magnetosphere, ionosphere, and heliosphere. His interests include data analysis and interpretation, modeling, development of data analysis methodology, and various instrumentations. His present studies include investigations of high-power low-frequency transmitter in space plasma, solar atmospheric heating, formation of supersonic stellar winds, solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere/thermosphere coupling, and Philosophy of Science. He is one of the founders of the science field of Space Weather. He presently is Editor of Journal of Geophysical Research-Space Physics.