Research seminar on Sun-Earth connections (5 ECTS credits)

[Lectures] [ Research exercise]


The course is intended for senior undergraduate and post graduate students in physics and astrophysics. Previous knowledge of electrodynamics and space plasma physics is required.

Latest information

The final seminar is held on 15-18, May 19, in lecture room Terra in the FMI main hall. There is a chance for a digital or a viegraph presentation. The reports are due back before the seminar starts. There will be an ice breaker in the seminar.

Course description

The course consists of lectures and a research exercise, which both deal with open questions in space plasma physics ranging from the solar corona to space weather effects observed at ground. The lectures are given by scientists and post graduate students working at the Space Research and the Earth Observation Units of the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). Each student carries out a small research exercise from a specific open question outlined during the lectures. The research exercise includes writing a scientific report and giving a presentation in a "conference" held at the FMI at the end of the course.

Course goals

The students will be given an opportunity to participate and follow closely the latest research in the field of space physics. They will also get a rough overview of science as a profession.

Lectures

III period (18.1.-3.3.) Wed 10-12 and Fri 12-14 in D115, Physicum, Kumpula campus

Research exercise and presentations

The research exercises are assigned. The final seminar is held on 15-18, May 19, in lecture room Terra in the FMI main hall. There is a chance for a digital or a viegraph presentation. The reports are due back before the seminar starts.

Course material

The course emphasizes independent search of information. The lecturers will give the most important scientific papers dealing their specific topics. The lecture material will be distributed as pdf documents.

Background reading:

Koskinen, H., Johdatus plasmafysiikkaan ja sen avaruussovellutuksiin, Limes (2001)
Kivelson, M.G., and Russell, C. T., Introduction to Space Physics, Cambridge University Press (1995)
Prölss, G. W., Physics of the Earth's space environment, Springer (2004)
Burlaga, L. F., Interplanetary magnetohydrodynamics, Oxford University Press (1995)
Baumjohann, W., and Treumann, R. A., Basic space plasma physics, Imperial College Press (1997)
Phillips, R. G., Nouse ja pidä puhe!, Tietosanoma (1995)
Alley, M., The craft of scientific writing, 3rd edition, Springer (1995)
Brasseur, G.P. and Solomon. S., Aeronomy of the middle atmosphere, 3rd edition, Springer (2005)

Contact course assistant:
Minna Palmroth_at_fmi.fi (replace _at_ with @)
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Space Research
Erik Palmenin aukio 1, (Dynamicum)
Room 1D11a, 09-1929 4696
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