Chris Arridge (Mullard Space Science Laboratory, UCL, UK), Prof. Michael Kramer (Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, Germany / Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, University of Manchester), Dr. Ben Stappers (Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, University of Manchester), Dr. Aline Vidotto (School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, UK)

Magnetospheres are ubiquitous throughout the Universe, being found in interstellar gas clouds, in the environments of black holes and degenerate objects as well as around planets and stars. Comparative studies between planets (including Earth) and moons throughout the solar system allow in situ investigations of a wide range of physical conditions, such as magnetic field configuration and composition of the plasma. Comparisons between planetary and astrophysical environments reveal interesting similarities in system-level behaviour (such as phase shifts and drifting periods in periodic planetary radio emissions and the intermittent behaviour of some pulsars) which may have common underlying physical mechanisms. The study of exoplanet magnetospheres is drawing on the significant body of understanding developed from solar system magnetospheres but also providing new lessons for solar system environments. The topic of this session is to discuss observations, theories and modelling of these structures, explore common themes and physical processes, and to encourage interaction between the diverse communities studying magnetospheres throughout the universe.