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
1.6 Ionosphere 2
2. Single particle motion 2.1 Electromagnetic field equations 3
2.2 Electromagnetic gyration 3
2.3 Electric drift 4
2.4 Magnetic drift 4
2.5 Adiabatic invariants 6
3. Trapped particles 3.1
4. Collisions and conduction 4.1
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.