Winter Quarter 2009Vassilis AngelopoulosRobert StrangewayDate Topic [Instructor]1/5 Organization and Introductionto Space Physics I [A&S]1/7 Introduction to Space Physics II [A]1/12 Introduction to Space Physics III [S]1/14 The Sun I [A]1/21 The Sun II [S]1/23 (Fri) The Solar Wind I [A]1/26 The Solar Wind II [S]1/28 --- First Exam [A&S]2/2 Bow Shock and Magnetosheath [A]2/4 The Magnetosphere I [A]ESS 200C - Space Plasma PhysicsDate Topic2/9 The Magnetosphere II [S]2/11 The Magnetosphere III [A]2/18 Planetary Magnetospheres [S]2/20 (Fri) The Earth’s Ionosphere [S]2/23 Substorms [A]2/25 Aurorae [S]3/2 Planetary Ionospheres [S]3/4 Pulsations and waves [A]3/9 Storms and Review [A&S]3/11 --- Second Exam [A&S]Schedule of ClassesESS 200C – Space Plasma Physics• There will be two examinations and homework assignments.• The grade will be based on– 35% Exam 1– 35% Exam 2– 30% Homework• References– Kivelson M. G. and C. T. Russell, Introduction to Space Physics,Cambridge University Press, 1995.– Chen, F. F., Introduction of Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Plenum Press, 1984– Gombosi, T. I., Physics of the Space Environment, Cambridge University Press, 1998– Kellenrode, M-B, Space Physics, An Introduction to Plasmas and Particles in the Heliosphere and Magnetospheres, Springer, 2000.– Walker, A. D. M., Magnetohydrodynamic Waves in Space, Institute of Physics Publishing, 2005.Space Plasma Physics• Space physics is concerned with the interaction of charged particles with electric and magnetic fields in space.• Space physics involves the interaction between the Sun, the solar wind, the magnetosphere and the ionosphere.• Space physics started with observations of the aurorae.– Old Testament references to auroras.– Greek literature speaks of “moving accumulations of burning clouds”– Chinese literature has references to auroras prior to 2000BC• Aurora over Los Angeles (courtesy V. Peroomian)Cro-Magnon “macaronis” may be earliestdepiction of aurora (30,000 B.C.)– Galileo theorized that aurora is caused by air rising out of the Earth’s shadow to be illuminated by sunlight. (He also coined the name aurora borealis meaning “northern dawn”.)– Descartes thought aurorae are reflections from ice crystals.– Halley suggested that auroral phenomena are ordered by the Earth’s magnetic field. – In 1731 the French philosopher de Mairan suggested they are connected to the solar atmosphere.• By the 11th century the Chinese had learned that a magnetic needle points north-south.• By the 12th century the European records mention the compass.• That there was a difference between magnetic north and the direction of the compass needle (declination) was known by the 16th century.• William Gilbert (1600) realized that the field was dipolar.• In 1698 Edmund Halley organized the first scientific expedition to map the field in the Atlantic Ocean.By the beginning of the space age auroral eruptions had been placed in the context of the Sun-Earth Connection• 1716 Sir Edmund Halley Aurora is aligned with Earth’s field…• 1741 Anders Celsius and has magnetic disturbances.• 1790 Henry Cavendish Its light is produced at 100-130km• 1806 Alexander Humboldt but is related to geomagnetic storms• 1859 Richard Carrington and to Solar eruptions.• 1866 Anders Angström Auroral eruptions are self-luminous and…• 1896 Kristian Birkeland … due to currents from space:• 1907 Carl Störmer in fact to field-aligned electrons…• 1932 Chapman & Ferraro accelerated in the magnetosphere by…• 1950 Hannes Alfvén the Solar-Wind–Magnetosphere dynamo. • 1968 Single Satellites Polar storms related to magnetospheric activity• 1976 Iijima and Potemra … communicated via Birkeland currents• 1977 Akasofu Magnetospheric substorm cycle is defined• 1997 Geotail Resolves magnetic reconnection ion dynamics • 1995-2002 ISTP era Solar wind energy tracked from cradle to grave• 2002- Cluster era Space currents measured, space-time resolved• 2008 THEMIS Substorm onset is due to reconnectionIt All Starts from the Sun…Solar Wind Properties:• Comprised of protons (96%), He2+ions (4%), and electrons.• Flows out in an Archimedean spiral.• Average Values:– Speed (nearly Radial): 400 - 450 km/s– Proton Density: 5 - 7 cm-3– Proton Temperature 1-10eV (105-106K)Shaping Earth’s Magnetosphere • Earth’s magnetic field is an obstacle in the supersonic magnetized solar wind flow.• Solar wind confines Earth’s magnetic field to a cavity called the “Magnetosphere”Auroral Displays: Direct Manifestation ofSpace Plasma DynamicsSocietal Consequences of Magnetic Storms• Damage to spacecraft.• Loss of spacecraft.• Increased Radiation Hazard.• Power Outages and radio blackouts.• Damage to spacecraft.• Loss of spacecraft.• Increased Radiation Hazard.• Power Outages and radio blackouts.•GPS Errors•GPS ErrorsStellar wind coupling to planetary objects is ubiquitous in astrophysical systemsMERCURY: 10 minEARTH: 3.75 hrsJUPITER: 3 weeksASTROSPHEREGALACTIC CONFINEMENTSUBSTORM RECURRENCE:Magnetized wind coupling to stellar and galactic systems is common thoughout the UniverseMira (a mass shedding red giant)and its 13 light-year long tailIn this class we study the physics that enable and control such planetary and stellar interactionsIntroduction to Space Physics I-III • Reading material– Kivelson and Russell Ch. 1, 2, 10.5.1-10.5.4– Chen, Ch. 2The Plasma State• A plasma is an electrically neutral ionized gas.– The Sun is a plasma– The space between the Sun and the Earth is “filled” with a plasma.– The Earth is surrounded by a plasma.– A stroke of lightning forms a plasma– Over 99% of the Universe is a plasma.• Although neutral a plasma is composed of charged particles- electric and magnetic forces are critical for understanding plasmas.The Motion of Charged Particles• Equation of motion• SI Units– mass (m) - kg– length (l) - m– time (t) - s– electric field (E) - V/m– magnetic field (B) - T– velocity (v) - m/s–Fgstands for non-electromagnetic forces (e.g. gravity) -usually ignorable.gFBvqEqdtvdmrrrrr+×+=• B acts to change the motion of a charged particle onlyin directions perpendicular to the