Module Identifier PH39010  
Module Title IONISED ATMOSPHERE  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Andrew R Breen  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Other staff Dr Andrew R Breen, Dr Eleri Pryse  
Pre-Requisite Core Physics Modules at Level 2, PH28520  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   2 seminars/tutorials  
  Lecture   20 lectures  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam3 Hours end of semester examination for MPhys students  100%
Semester Exam2 Hours end of semester examination for BSc students  100%

Learning outcomes

After taking this module students should be able to:

Brief description

The presence of ionisation in the upper atmosphere was postulated to account for long distance radio wave propagation. Subsequent research established the existence of the ionosphere. Active research continues to study ionospheric plasma processes in terms of solar-terrestrial interactions, in particular at high latitudes where the aurorae are a spectacular optical manifestation of incoming particles from space.

The morphology of the ionosphere is described, the production and loss processes of ionisation under normal conditions are explained, and the effects of neutral winds and electric fields are considered. An introduction is given to the influence of the ionosphere on radiowaves. The coupling of the solar wind to the Earth's magnetoshpere is discussed and the consequences on the ionosphere described.

Content

Introduction: The ionosphere at mid and low latitudes: D, E and F regions, ionisation production and loss mechanisms, Chapman layers. Observed behaviours of the mid latitude ionosphere and the equatorial ionosphere. Motions of charged particles: effects of the neutral-air wind electric field. Production and loss mechanisms, ionospheric chemistry, servo-theory of the F-region..   

Radiowave Propagation: Plasma frequency, gyrofrequency, phase velocity, group velocity, refractive index. Measurement techniques and an introduction to ionospheric radio physics.
The High-Latitude Ionosphere and the Magnetosphere: Magnetoscopic regions. Geomagnetic field; dipolar and distorted. Motion of charged particles; gyro, bounce and drift motion. Soalr wind-magnetosphere coupling; magnetic reconnection. Plasma convection. Electric currents; Pedersen, Hall, field-aligned. High-latitude ionosphere coupling to Magnetoshpere, auroral electrojets, geomagnetic substorms, aurora.

Reading Lists

Books
** Reference Text
J.K. Hargreaves The Solar-terrestrial Environment Cambridge University Press
K. Davies Ionospheric Radio Peter Peregrinus Ltd. for IEE
M.G. Kivelson and C.T. Russell (Eds) An Introduction to Space Physics Cambridge University Press
May Britt Kallenrode (2001) Space Physics Springer-Verlag
R.D. Hunsucker Radio Techniques for Probing the Terrestrial Ionosphere Springer-Verlag
W. Baumjohann and R.A. Treumann (1997) Basic Space Plasma Physics Imperial College Press

Journals
B. Hultqvist, M. Oierostt, G. Paschmann & R. Treumann (eds) (1999) Magnetospheric Plasma Iounces and Losses Space Science Reveiws, Vol 88

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6