Table of Contents

PHY 424: Atmospheric and Space Physics

1. Content

Chapter # Topic Week
1. Introduction 1.1 Space physics 1
1.2 Solar system 1
1.3 Plasma 2
1.4 Solar wind 2
1.5 Magnetosphere 2
2. Single particle motion 2.1 Electromagnetic field equations 3
2.2 Electromagnetic gyration 4, 5
2.3 Electric drift 6
2.4 Magnetic drift 7
2.5 Adiabatic invariants 8
3. Trapped particles 3.1 Magnetic dipole field 9
3.2 Bounce motion 9
3.3 Drift motion 10
3.4 Ring current 10
4. Collisions and conduction 4.1 Collisions in plasma 11
4.2 Plasma conductivity 11
4.3 Ionosphere 11
4.4 Ionospheric conductivity 12
4.5 Ionospheric current 12
4.6 Aurora 12
5. Convection and storms 5.1
6. Space mission design 6.1
7. Chandra X-ray Observatory 7.1

2. Assessment

Type Assessment Marks Total
Continuous Attendance 10 50
Punctuality 10
Python projects 30
Summative Midterm viva 25 50
Final viva 25

3. Textbooks

  1. W Baumjohann & RA Treumann, Basic Space Plasma Physics, Imperial College Press, 1997.
  2. MG Kivelson & CT Russell, Introduction to Space Physics, Cambridge University Press, 1995.