2020-2021 / SPAT0055-1

Atmosphere of the Earth

Duration

45h Th

Number of credits

 Master in space sciences (120 ECTS)4 crédits 
 Specialised master in cosmos exploration4 crédits 

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: Atmospheric structure

  • Hydrostatic equilibrium
  • Thermal structure
  • Convection, radiation, conduction
Chapitre 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
  Chapitre III: Photochemical processes and composition
  • Photochemical action of radiation
  • Photochemistry of the atmosphere
  • Ozone: production and destruction
Chapitre IV: Atmospheric transport
  • General equations of the atmospheric structure
  • Molecular and turbulent vertical diffusion
  • Movements in the troposphere and the stratosphere
Chapitre V: The Ionosphere
  • 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. 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. 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

   

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 (2 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).
 
> Online oral examination

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