Study Programmes 2015-2016
SPAT0048-4  
Atmosphere of the earth and space environment
Duration :
45h Th, 15h Pr
Number of credits :
Master in aerospace engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in physical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Jean-Claude Gérard, Denis Grodent
Coordinator :
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 :
PART 1 : Atmosphere of the Earth
Chapter I: Atmospheric structure
  • Hydrostatic equilibrium
  • Thermal structure
  • Convection, radiation, conduction
 
Chapter II: Interactions of Solar radiation with the atmosphere
  • Solar radiation spectrum
  • Variability of the Sun's emissions
  • Radiative transfer equation and applications
  • Energy balance and climate
  • Greenhouse effect
 
Chapter III: Photochemical processes and composition
  • Photochemical action of radiation
  • Photochemistry of the atmosphere
  • Ozone: production and destruction
 
Chapter IV: Atmospheric transport
  • General equations of the atmospheric structure
  • Molecular and turbulent vertical diffusion
  • Movements in the troposphere and the stratosphere
 
Chapter V: The Ionosphere
  • Formation and structure
  • Chemical composition
  • Neutrality and electric field
 
Chapter VI:  Atmospheric Remote Sensing
  • Observed parameters and main techniques
  • Interaction of ELM waves with the atmosphere
  • Micro-waves
  • Weighting functions
  • LIDAR
PART 2 : Space Environment (J.-C.. Gérard)
Chapter VII : The geomagnetic field
  • Description, dipolar approximation, Gauss development
  • Origin of internal and external components
  • Time evolution and pole inversions
 
Chapter VIII : The radiation belts
  • Electron and proton motion in the geomagnetic field
  • Longitudinal drift and related currents
  • Origin and structure of the belts
 
Chapter IX : 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 X : The cosmic rays
  • Composition and energy spectrum
  • Solar cycle and perturbations
Learning outcomes of the course :
This course is meant to provide students with basic concepts of atmospheric physiccs and space environment. The common thread of the course is the vertical thermal profile of Earth's atmosphere. At the end of the course, students should be able to explain the overal shape of this thermal profile and to link it with the chemical composition and the energy balance of the atmosphere. They will learn how atmosphere evolves in time and space and will be introduced to the concept of remote sensing.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face, power point presentations.
Recommended or required readings :
Printed course notes are available in french only
Updated Powepoint presentations may be downloaded from the MyULg website.
The remote sensing section is based on the book: "Introduction to the physics and techniques of remote sensing", Elachi and van Zyl, 2nd edition, Wiley 2006.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Oral exam on the different lessons and written exam on problems solved during tutorial classes 
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Contacts :
Pr Denis Grodent d.grodent@ulg.ac.bePr Jean-Claude Gérard jc.gerard@ulg.ac.be