SPAT0029-1 : Space environment

Study Programmes 2015-2016

SPAT0029-1

Space environment

Duration :

15h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits :

Master in space sciences (120 ECTS)		3

Lecturer :

Denis Grodent

Language(s) of instruction :

English language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the second semester

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Course contents :

This course is currently in a process of restructuring. It is anticipated that the course name will change to "Introduction to Space Weather".

Chapter I : The geomagnetic field

Description, dipolar approximation, Gauss development
Origin of internal and external components
Time evolution and pole inversions

Chapter II : The radiation belts

Electron and proton motion in the geomagnetic field
Longitudinal drift and related currents
Origin and structure of the belts

Chapter III : The solar activity and its impact

Solar eruptions: radiative and particle components
Effects on the geomagnetic field
Impact on space missions
Solar wind and structure of the cavity
Magnetic reconnection and auroral precipitation

Chapter IV : The cosmic rays

Composition and energy spectrum
Solar cycle and perturbations

Learning outcomes of the course :

Introduction to the description of the Earth's magnetic environment and to the concept of biogeochemical cycle modelling.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

Classical notions in general physics, atomic and molecular physics.
Part A of the course is NOT a prerequisit

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Guided applications: problem solving

Personal research on a topic to be agreed

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

15 ex-cathedra lectures (2 hours each) and presentations by students of a scientific paper on one of the lectures'topic,
2nd quadrimester.
Practical training and exercises:
2 sets of exercise solving and personal work on a topic related to the lectures