STFC Introductory Course in Solar System Physics

University of Leeds, 6-10 September 2010


Course Directors: Steve Tobias & David Hughes

Local Organizing committee: David Hughes, Evy Kersale & Steve Tobias

Department Of Applied Mathematics

University of Leeds

Leeds LS2 9JT



The Sun's magnetic field is carried far away from the solar surface by the solar wind out to the outer edge of the heliosphere and the interface with the galactic neighbourhood. The environment between the Sun and the outer planets is thus dominated by the processes occurring on the Sun that shape the heliospheric magnetic field, and our understanding of the evolution of planetary magnetospheres and atmospheres within our own and other solar systems relies heavily on our ability to understand the whole coupled system. At the outer edges of the heliosphere the galactic neighbourhood exerts a controlling influence. Studies of solar system physics have the potential to extend our knowledge of the universe far beyond the sum of its constituent parts. It is, however, often the case that students (and more experienced researchers) find it difficult to appreciate how their particular area of research fits into a broader picture. It is the purpose of this summer school to introduce students to these kinds of ideas as early as possible in their careers, in the hope that it will influence the way they approach their own research, whilst also providing a solid grounding in the necessary underlying physics.

Registration is now closed


Note: if problem occur with registration please email: smt at maths.leeds.ac.uk

Some information for students


Information


The course is free for STFC students. Other students may attend subject to availability of places.

Accommodation and meals are provided at The University of Leeds at a cost of  410 GBP for full 5-day attendance at the conference
(Sunday night to Friday lunchtime) and 90 GBP for daily rate of attendance.


Preliminary Programme


Note: not all speakers are confirmed.

The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the basic physics of the solar system for new students and researchers in the field with an emphasis on similar processes in different systems within the heliosphere and beyond. The course will cover introductions to MHD and plasma physics and diverse topics as listed below. We intend to invite some more experienced students from Leeds to chat about life as an STFC PhD student and also to include a panel discussion that will allow the students to quiz existing students, PDRAs and academics about aspects of academic life at all stages.




Sunday


Arrive and register 15:00 - 18:00

Ice breaker 18:00

Dinner 19:30


The Sun-Earth system:


Monday


09:00 - 10:30 The Solar System: An Overview Louise Harra (C)     Lecture


10:30 - 11:00 Coffee


11:00 - 12:30 The Solar Interior Paul Bushby (c) Lecture


            12:30 - 13:30 Lunch


13:30 - 15:00 Introduction to MHD Alan Hood (c)    Lecture


15:00 - 15:30 Tea


15:30 - 17:00 Helioseismology and Asteroseismology Bill Chaplin (c)




Dinner 18:30


Tuesday


09:00 - 10:30 Introduction to the Solar Atmosphere Valery Nakariakov (c)


10:30 - 11:00 Coffee


11:00 - 12:30 Solar Atmosphere: Theory Alan Hood (c)   Lecture Here


12:30 - 13:30 Lunch


13:30 - 15:00 Introduction to Plasma Physics David Tsiklauri (c) Lecture Here


15:00 - 15:30 Tea


15:30 - 17:00 Ground Based Observations Ian McCrea   Lecture Here


Dinner 18:30


Wednesday


  09:00- 10:30 Waves and Instabilities Rekha Jain (c)   Lecture


  10:30 - 11:00 Coffee


  11:00 - 12:30 The Solar Wind Steve Schwartz (c) Lecture here


12:30 - 13:30 Lunch


FREE AFTERNOON


Thursday


  09:00 - 10:30 The Magnetosphere Jim Wild (c) Lecture


  10:30 - 11:00 Coffee


  11:00 - 12:30 The Ionosphere Alan Aylward (c) Lecture


             12:30 - 13:30 Lunch


13:30 - 15:00 Solar Variability and Climate Mike Lockwood (c) Lecture


15:00 - 15:30 Tea

15:30 - 17:00 Space Based Observations Len Culhane (c)  Lecture here


Conference Dinner 19:00




Friday


  09:00 - 10:30 The Mesosphere and Thermosphere Nick Mitchell (c)


  10:30 - 11:00 Coffee


  11:00 - 12:30 Planets Chris Jones (c) Lecture


             12:30 -  13:30 Lunch


13:30 - 15:00 Comets Mark Bailey (c) Lecture


15:00 - 15:30 Tea


End of Conference