Media

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has successfully secured the hosting rights for the 2028 Magnetospheres of Outer Planets (MOP) Conference. As the premier global symposium in space physics, MOP has been held biennially since the 1970s and will make its historic debut in Hong Kong in 2028, more than half a century after its inception. Jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (HKIAA) and the Laboratory for Space Research (LSR) at HKU, this landmark event marks a major milestone in establishing Hong Kong’s leadership in space and planetary sciences across the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

The announcement was officially made following the 2026 MOP Conference in Toulouse, France, held from July 26 to 31, 2026. During the week-long event, a delegation of HKU scholars delivered multiple invited talks, showcasing the University’s cutting-edge research and its international influence in outer planetary physics. Leveraging this scientific momentum, the HKU team formally proposed Hong Kong as the next host, receiving unanimous support from both the International Scientific Committee and conference delegates.

The MOP Conference is the premier international symposium dedicated to the exploration of giant planet environments. Held biennially, MOP brings together leading space physicists, planetary scientists, and mission experts from around the globe—including key researchers from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and other leading research institutions worldwide.

The conference serves as a flagship venue for sharing updates on major space missions, plasma physics models, and findings from data analyses, including Voyager, Galileo, Cassini, Juno, Europa Clipper and JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer). Winning the bid to host this prestigious event is a resounding testament to HKU’s outstanding academic achievements and its growing international stature in space physics.

Beyond academic exchange, 2028 MOP will focus heavily on the global roadmap for deep-space exploration over the next decade. Hundreds of top scientists will convene in Hong Kong to explore international collaboration on major Jupiter exploration missions, including China’s Tianwen-4, NASA’s Europa Clipper, and ESA’s JUICE mission.

In addition to fostering global scientific partnerships and highlighting Hong Kong’s growing prominence in space exploration, the conference aims to inspire the next generation of local talent to pursue careers in space science and contribute to aerospace advancements both nationally and globally.

HKU will announce further details on the dates, venue arrangements, and programme committee in due course.

Further details about the conference can be found at lasp.colorado.edu/mop/resources/mop-conference.

Media Enquiries:
Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3917 4948 / +852 3917 5286
Email: caseyto@hku.hk / cindycst@hku.hk

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