Introduction to Space Weather
Syllabus
Jan. 26, 2012
Jie Zhang
Copyright ©
CSI 662 / PHYS 660
Spring, 2012
Content
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Overview of Space Weather
Part 1: The Sun
1. Structure of the Sun: Interior and atmosphere
2. Solar Magnetism: Sunspot, Active Region, Cycle and Dynamo
3. Corona: Magnetic Structure, Coronal Heating
4. Solar Storms: Flares, Filament Eruption and CMEs
Part 2: The Heliosphere
1. Parker Spiral, Solar Wind, Corotating Interaction Region
2. Interplanetary Transients (ICMEs, Shocks) and SEPs
Part 3: Magnetosphere
1. Geomagnetic Fields, Topology (Magnetopause, Polar Cusp. Tail)
2. Plasmas, Currents, Reconnection, Convection, Flux Transfer
3. Geomagnetic Storms, Substorms, Radiation Belts
Part 4: Ionosphere
1. Structure and Variability
2. Radial Wave Reflection and Transmission
Part 5: Space Weather Effects on Technological Systems
Text Book (required)
By May-Britt Kallenrode
“Space Physics: An Introduction to
Plasmas and Particles in the
Heliosphere and Magnetospheres”
Third edition, 2004
Springer (ISBN: 3-540-20617-5)
Supplement Text Books
1.
Markus Aschwanden
• “Physics of the Solar Corona”, 2004
• Praxis Publishing (ISBN: 3-540-30765-6)
• Supplement on the Sun; Graduate Level
2.
Gerd W. Prölss
• “Physics of the Earth’s Space Environment”, 2002
• Springer (ISBN: 3-540-21426-7)
• Supplement on Ionosphere and Neutral Upper
Atmosphere; Graduate Level
Supplement Books on Space Plasma
1.
Donald A. Gurnett and Amitava Bhattahcarjee
• “Introduction to Plasma Physics”, 2005
• Cambridge (ISBN: 0-521-36483-3)
• Graduate Level
2.
Tamas I. Gombosi
• “Physics of Space Environment”, 1998
• Cambridge University Press (ISBN: 0-521-59264-X)
• Graduate Level
Other Supplement Books
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Delores, Knipp
– “Understanding Space Weather and the Physics
Behind it”, 2011
– McGraw Hill Company (ISBN-13: 978-0-07-340890-3)
– Supplement on space weather concepts; upper
undergraduate level
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Volker Bothmer and Ionannis A. Daglis
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“Space Weathe: Physics and Effects”, 2007
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Springer (ISBN: 3-540-23907-3)
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Supplement on space weather science research,
advanced graduate level
Other Supplement Books
• Carolus J. Schrijver & George L. Siscoe
– A series of three books from NASA Living With A Star
Summer School
– Research oriented, advanced graduate level
1. “Heliophysics: Plasma Physics of the Local Cosmos”,
2009
2. “Heliophysics: Space Storms and Radiation: Causes
and Effects”, 2010
3. “Heliophysics: Evolving Solar Activty and the Climates
of Space and Earth”, 2010
Other Supplement Books
•
Delores, Knipp
– “Understanding Space Weather and the Physics
Behind it”, 2011
– McGraw Hill Company (ISBN-13: 978-0-07-340890-3)
– Supplement on space weather concepts; upper
undergraduate level
•
Volker Bothmer and Ionannis A. Daglis
•
“Space Weathe: Physics and Effects”, 2007
•
Springer (ISBN: 3-540-23907-3)
•
Supplement on space weather science research,
advanced graduate level
Books on Lower Level
1.
Kenneth R. Lang
• “The Sun from Space”, 2009
• Springer (ISBN: 978-540-76592-1)
• Undergraduate Level
2. J. Lilensten and J. Bornarel
• “Space Weather, Environment and Society”, 2006
• Springer (ISBN: 1-4020-4331-7)
• Undergraduate Level
3. Mark Moldwin
• “An Introduction to Space Weather”, 2008
• Cambridge (ISBN: 978-0-521-86149-6)
• Undergraduate Level, non-science major
Assignment and Grade
• Homework
– Weekly homework to reinforce the understanding
of physical processes
• Projects: Three projects on data analysis and
numerical models
– Numerical models are mainly from the NASA
Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC
at http://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/)
• Exams
– One mid-term, and one final (closed book)
• Grades: Homework (25%), Project (35%), Midterm
(15%), Final Exam (25%)
Contact Information
• Office hour: 2 PM – 3 PM, Thursday or by appointment
• Office: Room 351, Research 1
• Telephone: (703)993-1998
• E-mail:
jzhang7@gmu.edu
• Class URL:
http://solar.gmu.edu/teaching/2012_CSI662/index.html