Physique de la haute atmosphère et de l'espace
[PHY2162]
[22.5h] 4 credits
This course is taught in the 2d semester.
Teacher(s):
Language: French
Level: Second
Aims
Main themes
*The Sun:*
Stars (formation, destruction, groups) - Description of the inner Sun (fusion, abundance of the elements, radiative, convective zones) The solar atmosphere solaire (photosphere, chromosphere, corona) - Sunspots, solar activity cycle Solar eruptions (CME, flares, proeminences )- Coronal holes
*Physics of gas and plasmas:*
Definitions and properties Fundamental equations: kinetic and hydrodynamic approaches- Links and differences- Application: hydrostatic equilibrium
*The solar wind*:
Discovery Solar magnetic field - Observations: slow-speed and high-speed solar wind - Application of the fundamental equations for plasmas: hydrodynamic and kinetic equations
*The magnetosphere*:
Origin of the geomagnetic field - Description of the different regions of plasmas, currents - Magnetopause, polar cusps, plasmasheet, plasmasphere, Van Allen belts
*Movement of the particles in a magnetic field*:
Decomposition in 3 superposed movements Drift forces - Application to the Van Allen belts
*Sun-magnetosphere interactions*:
Magnetic storms and substorms - Aurora Space weather - Indexes of geomagnetic activity
*Ionosphere*:
Sources of ionization - Ionospheric layers - Propagation of radio waves- Refraction index - Perturbations due to the solar activity - Influence on satellites and GPS
*Neutral atmosphere:*
Temperature profile - Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere - Photodissociation, chemical reactions, ozone
*Planetary atmospheres:*
Mercury Venus Mars Giant planets**
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
Support: notes are distributed at each lecture.
Evaluation: the examination is prepared by written and is followed by an oral presentation.