Module Information
Module Identifier
PH38510
Module Title
THE SUN AND INTERPLANETARY SPACE
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Semester
Intended for use in future years
Pre-Requisite
Core Physics Modules at Level 2
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | |
| Other | Workshop. 3 workshops/exercise classes |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours end of semester examination for BSc students | 80% |
| Semester Exam | 3 Hours end of semester examination for MPhys students | 80% |
| Semester Assessment | Coursework Deadlines (by week of Semester): Exercise Class 1 Week 4 Exercise Class 2 Week 8 Exercise Class 3 Week 10 Course Work: 3 Exercise Classes | 20% |
Learning Outcomes
After taking this module students should be able to:
- explain the source of the Sun's energy
- follow the flow of energy through the different zones of the Sun's interior
- explain how helioseismology and neutrino counts give information on the Sun's interior
- recognise different features on the surface of the Sun under quiet and active conditions
- appreciate the problem posed by coronal heating
- describe how to measure the electron density and velocity of interplanetary space
- derive Parker's simple theory of the solar wind and list its limitations
- estimate the location of the solar wind termination shock and list the limitations of the simple model used to calculate this position
Brief description
This module examines in detail the physics of our nearest star and of its interaction with the Solar System. Topics covered include the Sun's structure, energy production and transport processes, solar activity, the solar wind and its interaction with planets and comets.
Content
Introduction - The Sun and the Heliosphere (1):
Energy flow through the Sun and Interplanetary Space. Radiation, particles and magnetic field.
Sun (6) :
Structure of the Sun. Nuclear processes in the core. Solar neutrinos. Radiative and Convective zones. Solar seismology. Photosphere and Chromosphere. Sunspots, faculae, plages, prominences, filaments.Babcock-Leighton theory.
Solar Atmosphere (7) :
Corona. Coronal Heating.
Plasma density in corona and interplanetary space.
Scattering of light in the solar corona. Space-craft measurements.
Irregularities in corona and interplanetary space : Coronal features.
Dynamics of corona: Movement of visible features in the corona Doppler shift of spectral lines.
Coronal Activity: Flares. Solar radio emission. Bursts. X-Rays. Particle emission.
Solar wind and Heliosphere (5) :
Parker's theory. Solar breeze and solar wind. Effect of conductivity and viscosity. Spiral structure of Interplanetary magnetic field. Acceleration of solar wind near sun. Non-uniform flow and shock fronts. Terminator Shock.
Measurement of the solar wind. Interplanetary Scintillation and in-situ measurements.
Sun-Earth connections: Terrestrial effects of solar variability. Long period variations in activity. Solar wind and cosmic ray shielding. "Space climate".
Comets and Meteoroids (1):
Structure of Comets : Core, Coma, Cloud, Dust Tail, Plasma Tail and Ion Loading. Comets and Meteor Showers.
Energy flow through the Sun and Interplanetary Space. Radiation, particles and magnetic field.
Sun (6) :
Structure of the Sun. Nuclear processes in the core. Solar neutrinos. Radiative and Convective zones. Solar seismology. Photosphere and Chromosphere. Sunspots, faculae, plages, prominences, filaments.Babcock-Leighton theory.
Solar Atmosphere (7) :
Corona. Coronal Heating.
Plasma density in corona and interplanetary space.
Scattering of light in the solar corona. Space-craft measurements.
Irregularities in corona and interplanetary space : Coronal features.
Dynamics of corona: Movement of visible features in the corona Doppler shift of spectral lines.
Coronal Activity: Flares. Solar radio emission. Bursts. X-Rays. Particle emission.
Solar wind and Heliosphere (5) :
Parker's theory. Solar breeze and solar wind. Effect of conductivity and viscosity. Spiral structure of Interplanetary magnetic field. Acceleration of solar wind near sun. Non-uniform flow and shock fronts. Terminator Shock.
Measurement of the solar wind. Interplanetary Scintillation and in-situ measurements.
Sun-Earth connections: Terrestrial effects of solar variability. Long period variations in activity. Solar wind and cosmic ray shielding. "Space climate".
Comets and Meteoroids (1):
Structure of Comets : Core, Coma, Cloud, Dust Tail, Plasma Tail and Ion Loading. Comets and Meteor Showers.
Transferable skills
Use of solar telescope to observe sunspots.
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6