Space Plasma Physics

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Use kinetic theory to explain the motions of charged particles in the ionosphere and near-Earth space
• Apply basic electromagnetism to derive the kinetic theory of plasmas
• Calculate fundamental properties of a plasma given appropriate information
• Describe the phases and features of magnetic storms and substorms, and their causes
• Apply fluid theory to large scale plasmas
• Explain how particle collisions produce Hall and Pedersen currents in the ionosphere
• Explain the main consequences of magnetic reconnection for Earth's magnetosphere
• Interpret geomagnetic field measurements in terms of currents flowing in Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Theories of solar wind propagation and its interaction with the Earth
• Have an introduction to current key research in space plasma physics
• Magnetospheric dynamics including geomagnetic storms and substorms, and disturbances in the near-Earth space environment
• Charged particle motion in magnetic fields, including the Earth's dipole field
• The complementary nature of kinetic and fluid descriptions in the treatment of space plasmas
• Earth’s space environment in relation to that of other planets

• Overview: the solar atmosphere, solar wind and interactions with planetary bodies
• The fluid theory of plasmas, frozen-in theorem (use example of Parker spiral of interplanetary magnetic field)
• The shape of the Earth's magnetosphere: the balance of thermal, dynamic and magnetic pressures
• Magnetic reconnection and how it dominates energy flow in the magnetosphere
• Convection and substorm phenomena
• Coronal mass ejections and geomagnetic storms
• Ionosphere and plasmasphere
• Aurora
• Trapped particles, ring current and radiation belts
• Effects of terrestrial disturbance: satellite health and safety, satellite orbit prediction, disruption to communication, navigation, radar systems and power distribution networks
• Applications in fusion research and astrophysics

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.