Atmosphere of the Earth and Space Environment

Duration

52h Th

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

PART 1 : Atmosphere of the Earth
Chapter I: Atmospheric structure

• Hydrostatic equilibrium
• Thermal structure
• Convection, radiation, conduction

• Solar radiation spectrum
• Variability of the Sun's emissions
• Radiative transfer equation and applications
• Energy balance and climate
• Greenhouse effect

• Photochemical action of radiation
• Photochemistry of the atmosphere
• Ozone: production and destruction

• General equations of the atmospheric structure
• Molecular and turbulent vertical diffusion
• Movements in the troposphere and the stratosphere

• Formation and structure
• Chemical composition
• Neutrality and electric field

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.
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, hybrid learning)

Partly face-to-face (depending on health conditions), powerpoint presentations.
A recorded version (MP4) of some lectures is available on eCampus (Recorded Lectures).

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Recommended or required readings

Printed course notes are available in french only
Updated Powepoint presentations may be downloaded from the eCampus website.

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 exams are mainly meant to test the ability of the students to understand the physics behind the equations.These exams also appraise the overall knowledge of the course and the ability to link the different chapters.
Oral exam on the different lessons (3 questions). A list of questions will be distributed before the exams.
In case of remote oral examination, use of Lifesize or Skype platforms (backup solution).

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

It is highly recommended to attend the face-to-face classes.
All movies available for download on eCampus must be viewed.

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