Module Information
Module Identifier
PHM5760
Module Title
STUDIES IN THE UPPER POLAR ATMOSPHERE
Academic Year
2009/2010
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
Successful completion of Year 3 of the MPhys Scheme
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 130 lectures |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 60 hours exercises/problems/project/field-work |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | AGF301 Combined: Oral Examination + Project Report | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | AGF304 Combined: Written Examination + Project Report | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
After taking this module students should be able to:
- describe the relationship between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.
- identify the different regions in the polar and auroral zones.
- describe the main electric current systems relating the magnetosphere and the ionosphere.
- describe the fundamental theories of incoherent scatter processes and signal processing.
- give a technical description of the EISCAT Svalbard radar.
Brief description
The module, which is delivered and assessed at UNIS located in Longyearbyen, Svlabard, consists of 2 parts:
AGF-301 Upper Polar Atmosphere
AGF-304 Radar Diagnostics of Space Plasma
These qualify for 30 ECTS credits which are equivalent to 60 Aberystwyth Credits.
AGF-301 Upper Polar Atmosphere
AGF-304 Radar Diagnostics of Space Plasma
These qualify for 30 ECTS credits which are equivalent to 60 Aberystwyth Credits.
Content
AGF-301 The Upper Polar Atmosphere
For details see http://www.unis.no/
(15 ECTS ~ 30 Aberystwyth Credits)
This course describes the interactions between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere and the consequences of these processes for the ionised region of the upper atmosphere i.e. the ionosphere. Energy, particles and momentum transferred from the solar wind manifest themselves in the upper Polar atmosphere, particularly as the aurora, but also in terms of powerful electric currents and wind systems (ion winds as well as winds in the neutral gas). Central elements in this course are descriptions of the Earth's magnetic field, the magnetosphere, ionisation processes and the formation of the ionosphere.
AGF-304 Radar Diagnostics of Space Plasma
(15 ECTS Credits ~ 30 Aberystwyth Credits)
This course contains fundamental theories of signal processing and incoherent scatter processes and gives an introduction to radar technology. A technical description of the EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR) including transmitter, receivers and antenna design is given. On the basis of theoretical models for incoherent scattering cross-section, a presentation will be given on the main principles for conducting plasma experiments with an incoherent scatter radar, and the plasma parameters that can be described from the autocorrelation functions observed by such a radar.
For details see http://www.unis.no/
(15 ECTS ~ 30 Aberystwyth Credits)
This course describes the interactions between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere and the consequences of these processes for the ionised region of the upper atmosphere i.e. the ionosphere. Energy, particles and momentum transferred from the solar wind manifest themselves in the upper Polar atmosphere, particularly as the aurora, but also in terms of powerful electric currents and wind systems (ion winds as well as winds in the neutral gas). Central elements in this course are descriptions of the Earth's magnetic field, the magnetosphere, ionisation processes and the formation of the ionosphere.
AGF-304 Radar Diagnostics of Space Plasma
(15 ECTS Credits ~ 30 Aberystwyth Credits)
This course contains fundamental theories of signal processing and incoherent scatter processes and gives an introduction to radar technology. A technical description of the EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR) including transmitter, receivers and antenna design is given. On the basis of theoretical models for incoherent scattering cross-section, a presentation will be given on the main principles for conducting plasma experiments with an incoherent scatter radar, and the plasma parameters that can be described from the autocorrelation functions observed by such a radar.
Transferable skills
Observations carried out at the Adventdalen Auroral Station
Reading List
Reference TextBrekke, A. Physics of the Polar Upper Atmosphere Primo search T Nygren Introduction to incoherent scatter measurements Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7