Space and Planetary Research at Lancaster University

This consolidated grant application seeks resources to support a programme of STFC-funded research into the physics of various plasma environments within our solar system. The programme is thus divided into four distinct projects, the aims of which are as follows:

Project 1 will exploit data from the Cluster, THEMIS and Geotail spacecraft to study asymmetric plasma flows in geospace, elucidate the timescales on which the asymmetries are introduced, and determine to what extent they can be predicted by upstream solar wind monitors.

Project 2 will use plasma and electromagnetic field measurements from the martian space plasma environment, combined with propagation models of the magnetised solar wind, to investigate variability that modulates solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere couple at Mars.

Project 3 will combine theory, data, and modelling to study Jupiter's high magnetic latitudes, which are instrumental in coupling the planetary atmosphere to its surrounding plasma environment and understanding planetary auroral emissions.

Project 4 will investigate the energetics of Saturn's aurora, using new Hubble Space Telescope observations to reveal magnetospheric dynamics and seasonal changes.

The main beneficiaries of this research will be:

Space Weather stakeholders

As awareness of the societal and economic impact of space weather grows, so do the demands to develop operational forecast models to enable infrastructure operators to manage exposure to the space weather hazards and mitigate the risks of system failure. The outputs of the programme work (notably Project 1) will be crucial to current international efforts in understanding the motion of energy and mass in the magnetosphere. The applicants (and wider SPP group) have an excellent track record of engagement with space weather research, industry and high-level government stakeholders and will exploit established knowledge exchange routes to maximize the impact of our research outputs in these groups.

Schools students and the public

SPP researchers have a strong track-record of engaging with non-specialist audiences (the public, school audiences, the media and policy-makers). We shall exploit our existing networks and expertise to communicate the proposed research to wider audiences, with particular emphasis on engaging with school students and their teachers via close institutional links to the South Lakes Teaching School Alliance (SLTSA) which includes 8 secondary schools, one special school, one FE College and the University of Cumbria working in close partnership to achieve curriculum collaboration and school improvement. Previous RCUK Schools University Partnership Initiative (SUPI) funding has enabling Lancaster to work in partnership with the SLTSA, to provide the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of research from a research-intensive university - an ethos which is now embedded in the University. Applicants and researchers associated with this consolidated grant application will therefore benefit from (i) institutional efforts to create a structured and strategic mechanism for engagement; (ii) investment and support to provide dedicated training for early career researchers to become effective and inspirational communicators of research; (iii) support for direct, and regular engagement with secondary level students to enhance and enrich the school and postgraduate curriculum; (iv) opportunities to support teachers in their professional development and hence increase their confidence in using research findings to enhance their teaching. These institutional aims perfectly complement the project-specific outreach activities proposed in the case for support and we expect to benefit from institutional support and resources.