A Consolidated Grant Proposal for Solar and Planetary Science at the University of Leicester, 2022 - 2025
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
We propose a world-class programme of research that focuses on 3 main areas of study concerned with our solar system. The first involves study of the outer environments of the planets where the gas is ionised, such that it not only feels the gravitational pull of the planet, but also interacts strongly with its magnetic and electric fields. In the second area we seek to study the origin and evolution of solar system bodies, through examination of materials from asteroid, chondrite and lunar samples, and through laboratory-based exploration of X-ray fluorescence from Mercury analogues. The third area will employ spectroscopy from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and ground observatories to explore the planetary stratospheres and tropospheres at the ice giants Uranus and Neptune.
Previous work in the first area shows that the outer environments of the planets vary widely, determined by the interaction with the plasma that blows continuously from the Sun on the outside, and the interaction with the planet and its moons on the inside. The solar wind is prone to outbursts that can lead to magnetic storms and bright auroras at Earth, as well as varying strongly over the solar cycle, and with distance from the Sun. Its interaction with the planets then depends on whether the planet is magnetised, has an atmosphere, and has active moons. We will use MESSENGER data to study Mercury close to the Sun, a planet that has a magnetic field but almost no atmosphere; use the constellation of spacecraft at Mars, more distant from the Sun, which has an atmosphere but no strong magnetic field to prevent its erosion by the solar wind; and combine multi-spacecraft and ground instrumentation at Earth, at intermediate distances having both an atmosphere and a magnetic field. We will also study the strongly magnetized giant planets Jupiter and Saturn using data from the Juno mission at Jupiter and Cassini at Saturn, combined with observations of the auroras at ultraviolet wavelengths using the Hubble Space Telescope and at infrared wavelengths using large ground-based telescopes. Auroras are caused by large-scale electric currents flowing between the outer environments and the upper ionized atmospheres, which communicate force between these regions. Overall emphasis will be on the complex physical processes that couple the solar wind on the outside, the magnetic field surrounding the planet (if any), and the planetary atmospheres or surface on the inside.
In the second area, laboratory studies, we will analyse material returned from C-class asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 mission. We will make complementary analyses on Apollo lunar regolith grains and recent, unique carbonaceous chondrite falls to build a new understanding of space weathering and C-class asteroid parent body processes. This project builds on the leading expertise we have in the microanalysis of planetary materials, through electron microscopy at ePSIC and UoL, and synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopy. Laboratory work focused on Mercury will centre on the MIXS Ground Reference Facility, a purpose-built system to allow detailed analysis of X-ray fluorescence, induced using an X-ray or electron source, for bespoke surface analogues. This laboratory facility will uniquely allow us to expand our science programme using the MIXS data from the BepiColombo mission, both in relation to the dayside surface composition goals at global and local scales on Mercury, and in terms of the nightside magnetosphere-surface interaction which produces a significant X-ray fluorescence associated with electron bombardment.
The final theme leverages Leicester's leadership of the guaranteed-time giant planets programme on the JWST, exploiting MIRI spectroscopic maps of the Ice Giants Uranus and Neptune, combined with a ground-based observation programme, to understand how stratospheric circulation, photochemistry, and tropospheric meteorology shape the atmospheres of sub-giant-sized worlds.
Previous work in the first area shows that the outer environments of the planets vary widely, determined by the interaction with the plasma that blows continuously from the Sun on the outside, and the interaction with the planet and its moons on the inside. The solar wind is prone to outbursts that can lead to magnetic storms and bright auroras at Earth, as well as varying strongly over the solar cycle, and with distance from the Sun. Its interaction with the planets then depends on whether the planet is magnetised, has an atmosphere, and has active moons. We will use MESSENGER data to study Mercury close to the Sun, a planet that has a magnetic field but almost no atmosphere; use the constellation of spacecraft at Mars, more distant from the Sun, which has an atmosphere but no strong magnetic field to prevent its erosion by the solar wind; and combine multi-spacecraft and ground instrumentation at Earth, at intermediate distances having both an atmosphere and a magnetic field. We will also study the strongly magnetized giant planets Jupiter and Saturn using data from the Juno mission at Jupiter and Cassini at Saturn, combined with observations of the auroras at ultraviolet wavelengths using the Hubble Space Telescope and at infrared wavelengths using large ground-based telescopes. Auroras are caused by large-scale electric currents flowing between the outer environments and the upper ionized atmospheres, which communicate force between these regions. Overall emphasis will be on the complex physical processes that couple the solar wind on the outside, the magnetic field surrounding the planet (if any), and the planetary atmospheres or surface on the inside.
In the second area, laboratory studies, we will analyse material returned from C-class asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 mission. We will make complementary analyses on Apollo lunar regolith grains and recent, unique carbonaceous chondrite falls to build a new understanding of space weathering and C-class asteroid parent body processes. This project builds on the leading expertise we have in the microanalysis of planetary materials, through electron microscopy at ePSIC and UoL, and synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopy. Laboratory work focused on Mercury will centre on the MIXS Ground Reference Facility, a purpose-built system to allow detailed analysis of X-ray fluorescence, induced using an X-ray or electron source, for bespoke surface analogues. This laboratory facility will uniquely allow us to expand our science programme using the MIXS data from the BepiColombo mission, both in relation to the dayside surface composition goals at global and local scales on Mercury, and in terms of the nightside magnetosphere-surface interaction which produces a significant X-ray fluorescence associated with electron bombardment.
The final theme leverages Leicester's leadership of the guaranteed-time giant planets programme on the JWST, exploiting MIRI spectroscopic maps of the Ice Giants Uranus and Neptune, combined with a ground-based observation programme, to understand how stratospheric circulation, photochemistry, and tropospheric meteorology shape the atmospheres of sub-giant-sized worlds.
Publications
A. Carter J
(2024)
Ground-based and additional science support for SMILE
in Earth and Planetary Physics
Aizawa S
(2022)
LatHyS global hybrid simulation of the BepiColombo second Venus flyby
in Planetary and Space Science
Alberti T
(2022)
Editorial: Interplanetary medium variability as observed in the new era of spacecraft missions
in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
Antuñano A
(2023)
Jupiter's Multi-Year Cycles of Temperature and Aerosol Variability From Ground-Based Mid-Infrared Imaging
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
Bardet D
(2024)
Investigating Thermal Contrasts Between Jupiter's Belts, Zones, and Polar Vortices With VLT/VISIR
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
Blagoveshchenskaya N
(2022)
Simultaneous Action of X- and O-Mode HF Pump Waves on the High-Latitude Upper (F-Region) Ionosphere at EISCAT
in Universe
Blake J
(2023)
Saturn's seasonal variability from four decades of ground-based mid-infrared observations
in Icarus
Bockelée-Morvan D
(2024)
A patchy CO 2 exosphere on Ganymede revealed by the James Webb Space Telescope
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bockelée-Morvan D
(2024)
Composition and thermal properties of Ganymede's surface from JWST/NIRSpec and MIRI observations
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bower G
(2022)
Occurrence Statistics of Horse Collar Aurora
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Bower G
(2022)
Transpolar Arcs: Seasonal Dependence Identified by an Automated Detection Algorithm
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Bower G
(2024)
Location of Geomagnetic Disturbances in Relation to the Field Aligned Current Boundary
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Bower G
(2023)
Formation and Motion of Horse Collar Aurora Events
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Bower G
(2022)
Formation and motion of horse collar aurora events
Bradley T
(2022)
Detection of Equatorial Plasma Velocity Modulations Associated With Planetary Period Oscillations in Saturn's Magnetosphere
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Burne S
(2023)
Space Weather in the Saturn-Titan System
in The Astrophysical Journal
Campbell B
(2024)
SHARAD Mapping of Mars Dayside Ionosphere Patterns: Relationship to Regional Geology and the Magnetic Field
in Geophysical Research Letters
Carter J
(2023)
Mean Energy Flux, Associated Derived Height-Integrated Conductances, and Field-Aligned Current Magnitudes Evolve Differently During a Substorm
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Carter J
(2022)
RAS Specialist Discussion Meeting report
in Astronomy & Geophysics
Carter J
(2022)
Handbook of X-ray and Gamma-ray Astrophysics
Cecconi B
(2022)
Effect of an Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection on Saturn's Radio Emission
in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
Chi Y
(2023)
The Dynamic Evolution of Multipoint Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections Observed with BepiColombo, Tianwen-1, and MAVEN
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Chian A
(2024)
Terrestrial and Martian space weather: A complex systems approach
in Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics
Chowdhury M
(2022)
Saturn's Weather-Driven Aurorae Modulate Oscillations in the Magnetic Field and Radio Emissions
in Geophysical Research Letters
Cohen I
(2022)
The Case for a New Frontiers-Class Uranus Orbiter: System Science at an Underexplored and Unique World with a Mid-scale Mission
in The Planetary Science Journal
Collinson G
(2022)
The Endurance Rocket Mission Gauging Earth's Ambipolar Electric Potential
in Space Science Reviews
Cordiner M
(2024)
Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST) Science: Planetary and Cometary Atmospheres
in Open Research Europe
Coy B
(2023)
Spitzer IRS Observations of Titan as a Precursor to JWST MIRI Observations
in The Planetary Science Journal
Dawkins E
(2023)
Solar Cycle and Long-Term Trends in the Observed Peak of the Meteor Altitude Distributions by Meteor Radars
in Geophysical Research Letters
Dawkins E
(2024)
Seasonal and Local Time Variation in the Observed Peak of the Meteor Altitude Distributions by Meteor Radars
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
De Pater I
(2023)
An Energetic Eruption With Associated SO 1.707 Micron Emissions at Io's Kanehekili Fluctus and a Brightening Event at Loki Patera Observed by JWST
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
Donnelly P
(2025)
Global climate modelling of Saturn's atmosphere, Part V: Large-scale vortices
in Icarus
Dresing N
(2023)
The 17 April 2021 widespread solar energetic particle event
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Edberg N
(2024)
Extent of the Magnetotail of Venus From the Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe and BepiColombo Flybys
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Eriksen N
(2023)
On the Creation, Depletion, and End of Life of Polar Cap Patches
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Feinstein AD
(2023)
Early Release Science of the exoplanet WASP-39b with JWST NIRISS.
in Nature
Fleetham A
(2023)
Solar Wind Control of Hemispherically-Integrated Field-Aligned Currents at Earth
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Fleetham A
(2024)
The Relationship Between Large dB/dt and Field-Aligned Currents During Five Geomagnetic Storms
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Fletcher L
(2023)
Saturn's Atmosphere in Northern Summer Revealed by JWST/MIRI
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
Fletcher LN
(2023)
Jupiter Science Enabled by ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer.
in Space science reviews
Fogg A
(2023)
Multi-Instrument Observations of the Effects of a Solar Wind Pressure Pulse on the High Latitude Ionosphere: A Detailed Case Study of a Geomagnetic Sudden Impulse
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Fogg A
(2023)
Why Are Some Solar Wind Pressure Pulses Followed by Geomagnetic Storms?
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Fogg A
(2023)
Extreme Value Analysis of Ground Magnetometer Observations at Valentia Observatory, Ireland
in Space Weather
Garnier P
(2022)
The Drivers of the Martian Bow Shock Location: A Statistical Analysis of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN and Mars Express Observations.
in Journal of geophysical research. Space physics
Garnier P
(2022)
The Influence of Crustal Magnetic Fields on the Martian Bow Shock Location: A Statistical Analysis of MAVEN and Mars Express Observations
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
| Title | JWST NIRCam data (unprojected) |
| Description | Unprojected NIRCam images of Jupiter's northern H3+ auroral emission. These observations were obtained as part of JWST program 4566 on 25 December 2023, using the long wavelength channel of NIRCam with the CLEAR pupil aperture stop and F335M filter. The data are presented in units of radiance in µW m-2 sr-1, and have been reduced as described in Nichols et al. (2024). The data are stored in the first extension of each FITS file, in arrays of shape (n_integrations, nx, ny), where n_integrations is the number of integrations stored in this file. The observation almanac information is stored in the header. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://figshare.le.ac.uk/articles/dataset/JWST_NIRCam_data_unprojected_/26893192/1 |
| Title | JWST NIRCam data (unprojected) |
| Description | Unprojected NIRCam images of Jupiter's northern H3+ auroral emission. These observations were obtained as part of JWST program 4566 on 25 December 2023, using the long wavelength channel of NIRCam with the CLEAR pupil aperture stop and F335M filter. The data are presented in units of radiance in µW m-2 sr-1, and have been reduced as described in Nichols et al. (2024). The data are stored in the first extension of each FITS file, in arrays of shape (n_integrations, nx, ny), where n_integrations is the number of integrations stored in this file. The observation almanac information is stored in the header. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://figshare.le.ac.uk/articles/dataset/JWST_NIRCam_data_unprojected_/26893192 |