Space environment

Duration

15h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Denis Grodent

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Chapter I : The solar wind
Chapter II : The geomagnetic field 
Chapter III : The magnetosphere
Chapter IV : Charged particles motions
Chapter V : Magnetic storms and aurorae

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, 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 with respect to Space Weather constraints.

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

Personal research on a topic to be agreed on

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face (partly) lectures and presentations by students of a scientific paper on one of the lectures' topics.
A recorded version (MP4) of some lectures may be made available on eCampus (Recorded Lectures).

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Recommended or required readings

PDF files of the presentations given during the classes (available on eCampus)
Reference book (optional):
"Understanding Space Weather and the Physics Behind It" D.J. Knipp, 2011, McGraw-Hill, ISBN-13: 978-0-07-340890-3

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

The oral exam consists of the presentation of the article analysed in French or in English.
Students have about 15 minutes to present the content of the article, what they have learned from it, and to try to relate it to the material presented in the course.
A few questions will be asked about the article and the material seen in the course.
The evaluation will be based on:

• the mastery of the material presented,
• the highlighting of links with the course,
• the quality and care of the presentation and
• the relevance of the answers to the questions.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

This course may start by mid-November and may be followed by other students.

Contacts

Prof Denis Grodent d.grodent@uliege.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.uliege.be