Study-unit SPACE PHYSICS
| Course name | Physics |
|---|---|
| Study-unit Code | A002520 |
| Location | PERUGIA |
| Curriculum | Astrofisica e astroparticelle |
| Lecturer | Nicola Tomassetti |
| Lecturers |
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| Hours |
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| CFU | 6 |
| Course Regulation | Coorte 2022 |
| Supplied | 2022/23 |
| Supplied other course regulation | |
| Learning activities | Affine/integrativa |
| Area | Attività formative affini o integrative |
| Sector | FIS/05 |
| Type of study-unit | Opzionale (Optional) |
| Type of learning activities | Attività formativa monodisciplinare |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | Heliophysics; physics of space plasma; energetic particles; Sun-Earth relations; space weather; space missions, measurements, and methods. |
| Reference texts | M. B. Kallenrode, "Space Physics - An Introduction to Plasmas and Particles in the Heliosphere and Magnetospheres", 2004 Springer. C. T. Russell, J. G. Luhmann, R. J. Srangeway, “Space Physics - An Introduction”, 2017 Cambridge University Press |
| Educational objectives | Knowledge of heliospheric and interplanetary phenomena, Sun-Earth relations and space weather. Understanding of basic plasma astrophysics processes. Acceleration and transport of energetic particles. |
| Prerequisites | Basic physics, classical electrodynamics, special relativity, calculus. |
| Teaching methods | Lecture |
| Learning verification modality | Colloquium |
| Extended program | Introduction to space plasma; solar and heliospheric, and magnetospheric plasma. Kinetic theory, orbit theory, adiabatic invariants. Elements of electrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics; lfvén's frozen-in theorem; magnetic reconnection. The Earth magnetic field. Radiation in low Earth orbit, the south atlantic anomaly, the Van Allen belts. Sun-Earth relations; the magnetosphere; geomagnetic disturbance and proxies; polar auroras; magnetic storms; ionospheric phenomena. Space weather; monitoring, nowcasting, and alert systems. Space missions, instruments and methods. The Sun, its structure, and its variability. The solar cycle. The heliosphere and the solar wind; the interplanetary magnetic field; the termination shock; the heliospheric current sheet; the interstellar space. Transport and acceleration of energetic particles. Spatial diffusion, convection, adiabatic cooling, drift, diffusive shock acceleration. Solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays. Geomagnetic modulation and geomagnetic rigidity cutoff. Radioprotection in space, radiation damage and risks, shielding. |