Study Programmes 2016-2017
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 first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents :
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 (astroparticles)




  • Composition and energy spectrum
  • Solar cycle and perturbations
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
At the end of the course, students will have acquired the basics of Earth's magnetic environment, of the radiation belts and the cosmic rays (astroparticles), of solar activity and its impact on space environment. With this knowledge, it will be possible to understand and to take into account the constraints imparted by space environment on Earth orbit and interplanetary space missions, particularly at the level of the design of space instruments.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Good knowledge of general physics and its mathematical tools. Basic concepts of astrophysics and geophysics.
It is highly recommended to first take the course "Atmosphere of the Earth" (SPAT0055).  
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 face-to-face lectures (2 hours each) and presentations by students of a scientific paper on one of the lectures' topics.
Recommended or required readings :
- notes on geomagnetism, charged particle motion and planetary evolution
- recommended textbooks: review papers and book chapters
Assessment methods and criteria :
- oral exam on the course material
- presentation of the personal research topic
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Depending on the schedule, it should be possible to follow the courses SPAT0055 and SPAT0029 one after the other during the same quarter.
Contacts :
Prof Denis Grodent d.grodent@ulg.ac.be
Prof Jean-Claude Gérard jc.gerard@ulg.ac.be
Laboratory for Planeatary and Atmospheric Physics
Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research (STAR) Institute
Université de Liège Institut d'Astrophysique et de Géophysique Quartier AGORA (B5c) Allée du Six Août, 19C  B-4000 Liège, Belgium
phone: +32 4 366 9773 http://www.lpap.ulg.ac.be 50°34'55.9"N 5°33'55.8"E50.582194, 5.565510