Unit SPACE PHYSICS
- Course
- Physics
- Study-unit Code
- A002520
- Curriculum
- Fisica teorica
- Teacher
- Nicola Tomassetti
- Teachers
-
- Nicola Tomassetti
- Hours
- 42 ore - Nicola Tomassetti
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2021
- Offered
- 2021/22
- Learning activities
- Affine/integrativa
- Area
- Attività formative affini o integrative
- Academic discipline
- FIS/05
- Type of study-unit
- Opzionale (Optional)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italian
- Contents
- Heliophysics; physics of space plasma; energetic particles; Sun-Earth relations; space weather; space missions, measurements, and methods.
- Reference texts
- M. B. Kallenrode, "Space Physics - An Introduction to Plasmas and Particles in the Heliosphere and Magnetospheres", 2004 Springer.
C. T. Russell, J. G. Luhmann, R. J. Srangeway, “Space Physics - An Introduction”, 2017 Cambridge University Press - Educational objectives
- Knowledge of heliospheric and interplanetary phenomena, Sun-Earth relations and space weather. Understanding of basic plasma astrophysics processes. Acceleration and transport of energetic particles.
- Prerequisites
- Basic physics, classical electrodynamics, special relativity, calculus.
- Teaching methods
- Lecture
- Learning verification modality
- Colloquium
- Extended program
- Heliophysics; the Sun variability, the solar cycle; the heliosphere, the solar wind, the interplanetary magnetic field, the interstellar space. Introduction to space plasma; solar and heliospheric, and magnetospheric plasma. Kinetic theory, orbit theory, adiabatic invariants. Turbulence, shocks, winds. Transport processes of energetic particles. Spatial diffusion, convection, adiabatic cooling, drift, diffusive shock acceleration. Solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays. Acceleration and transport of solar energetic particles. Sun-Earth relations; the magnetosphere; geomagnetic disturbance and proxies; Stoermer orbits and geomagnetic cutoff. Aurora borealis; magnetic storms; ionospheric phenomena. Space weather; monitoring, nowcasting, and alert systems. Space missions, instruments and methods.