SPAT0048-4 : Atmosphere of the earth and space environment

Study Programmes 2016-2017

SPAT0048-4

Atmosphere of the earth and space environment

Duration :

45h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits :

Master in aerospace 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 first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit 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 learning unit :

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.
At the end of the course, students will also 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.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

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

Face-to-face, power point presentations.