British Antarctic Survey Consolidated Grant
Lead Research Organisation:
British Antarctic Survey
Department Name: Science Programmes
Abstract
Within the magnetic fields of planets that extend into space, energetic charged particles are trapped creating regions that are hazardous to spacecraft and humans. The way these radiation belts grow and decline is a major focus of scientific endeavour in space science. Understanding the fundamental principles of how these dangerous regions in space behave is vital for predicting the level of hazard they pose to spacecraft.
In the last three years a new and very rapid mechanism for transporting electrons towards the planet has been discovered at Saturn. This is a significant change from the decades old theory that has been assumed to underlie the motion of electrons towards or away from the planet. The goal of this project is to test the effects of this new mechanism on the behaviour of Saturn's radiation belt in conjunction with what we have also discovered in the past few years about the effects of waves on energetic electrons at Saturn.
The results will show us how the unique conditions in Saturn's space environment combine local acceleration and loss processes with this new mode of transporting electrons towards the planet. This will also help to determine whether resonant wave acceleration and loss of electrons is a universal process that is more widely applicable to the Sun and other astrophysical objects such as the increasing number of planets discovered outside our Solar System.
This project will aid with setting new research goals for future spacecraft missions to the planets and investigations of planets beyond our Solar system, provide research training for young scientists, develop computer models that will be of use to the space industry in planning future missions to the outer planets, and leave a legacy of understanding that will last long after the completion of the project.
In the last three years a new and very rapid mechanism for transporting electrons towards the planet has been discovered at Saturn. This is a significant change from the decades old theory that has been assumed to underlie the motion of electrons towards or away from the planet. The goal of this project is to test the effects of this new mechanism on the behaviour of Saturn's radiation belt in conjunction with what we have also discovered in the past few years about the effects of waves on energetic electrons at Saturn.
The results will show us how the unique conditions in Saturn's space environment combine local acceleration and loss processes with this new mode of transporting electrons towards the planet. This will also help to determine whether resonant wave acceleration and loss of electrons is a universal process that is more widely applicable to the Sun and other astrophysical objects such as the increasing number of planets discovered outside our Solar System.
This project will aid with setting new research goals for future spacecraft missions to the planets and investigations of planets beyond our Solar system, provide research training for young scientists, develop computer models that will be of use to the space industry in planning future missions to the outer planets, and leave a legacy of understanding that will last long after the completion of the project.
Publications
Hao Y
(2024)
Acceleration of Energetic Electrons in Jovian Middle Magnetosphere by Whistler-Mode Waves
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Hao Y
(2024)
Jupiter's Whistler-Mode Belts and Electron Slot Region
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Kavanagh A
(2022)
Two Techniques for Determining F-Region Ion Velocities at Meso-Scales: Differences and Impacts on Joule Heating
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Sanchez-Cano B
(2024)
A bigger broader Autumn MIST
in Astronomy & Geophysics
Woodfield E
(2023)
MIST reunited
in Astronomy & Geophysics
| Description | Dr J D Menietti |
| Organisation | University of Iowa |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I lead the research project |
| Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of data from the Galileo probae at Jupiter and Cassini spacecraft at Saturn |
| Impact | see our research papers |
| Description | Dunn and Yao |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | Department of Space and Climate Physics (MSSL) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have worked on providing evidence of the link between ion cyclotron waves and the Xray aurora at Jupiter using the PADIE code created at BAS. |
| Collaborator Contribution | William Dunn at MSSL and Zhonghua Yao at University of Liege work with the observational data from Xray telescopes and in-situ data from the Juno spacecraft and asked me to see if the code we have at BAS could support a potential link between ion cyclotron wave activity seen at Juno and Xray aurora in simultaneous observations. |
| Impact | 2 publications in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Dunn and Yao |
| Organisation | University of Liege |
| Country | Belgium |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have worked on providing evidence of the link between ion cyclotron waves and the Xray aurora at Jupiter using the PADIE code created at BAS. |
| Collaborator Contribution | William Dunn at MSSL and Zhonghua Yao at University of Liege work with the observational data from Xray telescopes and in-situ data from the Juno spacecraft and asked me to see if the code we have at BAS could support a potential link between ion cyclotron wave activity seen at Juno and Xray aurora in simultaneous observations. |
| Impact | 2 publications in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Elias Roussos |
| Organisation | Max Planck Society |
| Department | Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Dr Roussos is leading a grant application to the Horizon Europe scheme on which I am a work package leader. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Roussos is leading a grant application to the Horizon Europe scheme on which I am a work package leader. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Yuri Shprits |
| Organisation | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Scientific input to research papers. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Scientific input to research papers. |
| Impact | Shprits, Y. Y., J. D. Menietti, X. Gu, K. C. Kim, and R. B. Horne (2012), Gyro-resonant interactions between the radiation belt electrons and whistler mode chorus waves in the radiation environments of Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn, a comparative study, J. Geophys. Res., 117, A11216, doi: 10.1029/2012JA018031. Menietti, J. D., Y. Y. Shprits, R. B. Horne, E. Woodfield, G. B. Hospodarsky, and D. A. Gurnett (2012), Chorus, ECH, and Z-mode emissions observed at Jupiter 2 and Saturn and possible electron acceleration, J. Geophys. Res., 117, A12214, doi: 12210.11029/12012JA018187. Woodfield, E. E., R. B. Horne, S.A. Glauert, J. D. Menietti, and Y. Y. Shprits (2013), Electron acceleration at Jupiter: greater input from cyclotron-resonant interaction with whistler-mode chorus waves, Ann Geophys., 31, 1619-1630, doi:10.5194/angeo-31-1619-2013. not multi-disciplinary |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | 2nd Cambourne cubs (Electricity activities, Jan 2024) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Approx 30 cub scouts took part in a workshop based on making batteries out of potatoes as part of their science badgework. The cubs really enjoyed the session and have talked about using potatoes as batteries since. At least one cub had not made an electrical circuit before. This was a very successful workshop. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | 2nd Cambourne cubs (Mars activities, Oct 2023) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 30 cub scouts took part in a Mars themed workshop and built paper helicopters inspired by the ingenuity Helicopter. They investigated how changing the shape of their helicopters changed the way they flew. The cubs were fascinated by their helicopters and several took them home to play with. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | BAS "Expedition Ice" Open Day for Cambridge Festival 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Space Weather and Atmosphere Team created a multifaceted display for the BAS Open Day held as part of the Cambridge Festival. We created 2 rooms - an "auroral chill-out" room with atmospheric lighting and music and hands on fun for those of all ages to enjoy and a second room with information (posters, videos, 3D planet projector, 3D printed satellite model) aimed at a more adult audience. We used Nigel Meredith's work with "Sounds of Space" both as a demo area and for the music in the chill out room. We had over 700 people through the door to visit the BAS open day as a whole, and we had a lot of beaming smiley faces as they left. Many people who had planned to 'pop in' stayed for 2-3 hours as there was so much great stuff for them to see and do. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Breckland AstroSoc Oct 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave a talk on planetary space weather to Breckland Astonomical Society. Approx 30 people attended and there were a lot of questions and discussion afterwards. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Critical Thinking help for OxBridge candidate July 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I spoke to a sixth form student from my old school in preparation for their interview with Cambridge University, helping them to understand how the critical thinking interview style works and giving her a small mock interview. This was a one on one discussion which was much appreciated by the student and the school. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Monkfield Year 5 Space Topic visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I created and presented an interactive workshop for year 5 students as part of their Space topic where we looked at magnetism in objects in space. I presented this separately to two classes of 30 children with teachers and TAs also present. The children had a lot of fun as well as learning about magnetic planets and how to measure magnetic fields, the teachers also reported learning ew things. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | School visit (Monkfield) Apr2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | 120 pupils took part in interactive STEM week sessions on planets, moons and gravity. They were in 2 groups of 60, one from Reception and one from Year 1. The children enjoyed the activities and were surprised that the number of known moons continues to increase. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Space Weather introduction for a BAS work experience student July 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I gave an introduction to space weather and magnetospheric physics and what it is like to be a research scientist in this area to a work experience student being hosted at BAS. The student was very interested and learnt many new things. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | St Neots Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave a talk to St Neots Astronomical Society. A relatively small society, there were about 10 people there. This was my first visit to this particular society and they were keen to invite me back in future. There was much discussion after my presentation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Stour Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave a presentation to Stour Astronomical Society. This was my third invitation to visit to this society. Approximately 15 people attended and there were many interesting questions and discussion at the end of my talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | U3A Cambourne talk June2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave a presentation on Space Weather at the Earth and other planets to the University of the 3rd Age, Cambourne group. There was a lot of interesting questions and discussion after the talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Work Experience student (July2023) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I hosted a year 12 work experience student for a week. He had a very varied week with some research activities related to space weather, visits to many other science teams in BAS and also the BAS archives. We had a lot of discussion during the week about science, careers and work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |