Flow-driven Instabilities of the Sun-Earth System
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Engineering Computer Science and Maths
Abstract
Waves on the sea or in the clouds are some of the most simple, yet beautiful, natural dynamic phenomena on Earth. They sometimes roll-up and form growing whirls. These phenomena occur due to a large flow difference at the transition between the air and water or cloud, which makes the boundary unstable. Similar instabilities also take place in space, when the filling plasma, a mixture of charged particles, is exposed to various sources of flows. The solar wind, for instance, is a continuous stream of plasma flowing away from the Sun. The magnetic field of the Earth forms a protective bubble called the magnetosphere, which is affected by large disturbances in the solar wind. The boundary between the solar wind and the magnetosphere is notably subject to large boundary motions. These motions may be the response to the changing force of the solar wind, like a fluttering windsock. They may also be growing whirls, that could involve a mixture of the two plasmas. In the solar wind, one can find massive clouds of material, called Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). CMEs are ejected from the solar atmosphere at hundreds of km per second, and are associated with outflows, another source of abrupt flow changes and instabilities. Very similar outflows are generated inside the magnetosphere. Space observations are challenging to analyse, the complexity of plasma physics makes them interesting to study and understand. I have long been fascinated by the natural world and its impact on us. The Sun affects life on Earth in many ways. Dangerous, high energy, charged particles are often produced in the CME disturbances. The magnetosphere shields us from most harmful solar effects. However, the large disturbances in the solar wind affect our climate and causes, for instance, communication drop-outs, power outages and radiation exposure on transatlantic flights. In the Sun's outer atmosphere, the solar corona, there are relatively cool, dense clouds of gas, which we call the solar prominences (or filaments). Prominences are in constant motion and display a relatively fast dynamic and turbulent flow system. Sometimes prominences erupt off the Sun, along with CMEs. From space, we can observe prominences night and day without interruption. Doing so, I have discovered prominences which oscillate quite slowly, so slowly that it is almost impossible to detect it continuously from Earth. The oscillations seem connected to prominence eruptions. Is there a link between the two types of dynamics, fast and slow? Is this link relevant to other flow instabilities in space? How are the prominences formed and why do they erupt? How is the solar wind accelerated? How does the solar wind get through the apparently closed field lines of the Earth's magnetic field? To find out, I propose to get a better picture of the flow instabilities in regions of the Sun-Earth system, where they seem to play a major role. All these phenomena are observed with a telescope or with a satellite measuring the plasma properties in space. Such observations present complementary perspectives. Their ever-increasing number and quality (e.g. Solar Dynamics Observatory) make it the right time to compare the phenomena, find their common features and their differences. I find it both exciting to develop a unifying view (combining my past experiences in both research fields) and important for our society to shed light on the processes at work in key regions of the Sun-Earth system.
People |
ORCID iD |
Claire Foullon (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Foullon C
(2013)
KELVIN-HELMHOLTZ INSTABILITY OF THE CME RECONNECTION OUTFLOW LAYER IN THE LOW CORONA
in The Astrophysical Journal
Foullon C.
(2017)
Preface
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Kieokaew R
(2018)
Four-Spacecraft Magnetic Curvature and Vorticity Analyses on Kelvin-Helmholtz Waves in MHD Simulations
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Kieokaew R
(2021)
Solar Orbiter observations of the Kelvin-Helmholtz waves in the solar wind
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kieokaew R
(2020)
Magnetic Reconnection Inside a Flux Transfer Event-Like Structure in Magnetopause Kelvin-Helmholtz Waves
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Kieokaew R
(2019)
Kelvin-Helmholtz Waves Magnetic Curvature and Vorticity: Four-Spacecraft Cluster Observations
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Kieokaew R
(2018)
Four-Spacecraft Magnetic Curvature Analysis on Kelvin-Helmholtz Waves in MHD Simulations
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Lavraud B
(2013)
Asymmetry of magnetosheath flows and magnetopause shape during low Alfvén Mach number solar wind
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Maunder M
(2021)
Multi-Spacecraft Observations of a Unique Type of High-Latitude ICME
Title | 3D prints of Comet |
Description | 3D prints of Comet |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | Designed and delivered comet workshops associated with the use of the 3d object: impacting/supporting Widening Participation for CEMPS through initiating and creating 'Space in Your Hands' Consortium and innovative Outreach Activities, incorporating the use of 3D printing technology. |
Description | Kick-started the modernisation of the solar and space group at the University of Exeter, developing and leading a culture of inquiry around the Space Weather theme and discipline |
Exploitation Route | Establishing the Space Weather theme at University of Exeter and in the Southwest region. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Communities and Social Services/Policy Education |
URL | https://emps.exeter.ac.uk/mathematics/staff/cf337 |
Description | Kick-started the modernisation of the solar and space group at the University of Exeter, developing and leading a culture of inquiry around the Space Weather theme and discipline and establishing the Space Weather theme at University of Exeter and in the Southwest region. |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | Response in RAS Consultation for House of Commons Science and Technology Committee 'Inquiry into the Science Budget' |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | AXA Postdoctoral Fellowship |
Amount | £85,714 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 2014-AXA Postdoctoral grant-Judith De patoul |
Organisation | AXA |
Department | AXA Research Fund |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start | 03/2015 |
End | 08/2017 |
Description | College PhD Studentship |
Amount | £73,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Exeter |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2015 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | Kevin Westfold Distinguished Visitor |
Amount | $5,000 (AUD) |
Organisation | Monash University |
Department | Monash Centre for Astrophysics |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | Australia |
Start | 06/2014 |
End | 08/2014 |
Description | Open Innovation Link Fund award |
Amount | £1,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Exeter |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2015 |
End | 07/2015 |
Description | STFC Exeter 2018 DTP |
Amount | £150,664 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/S505389/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2018 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | STFC Introductory Solar System Plasmas Summer School 2018, University of Exeter |
Amount | £16,880 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 4070203850 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 01/2019 |
Description | Sponsorship for IAU Symposium 335 - 'Space Weather of the Heliosphere: Processes and Forecasts' |
Amount | € 2,000 (EUR) |
Organisation | European Geosciences Union |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | Germany |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | Sponsorship for IAU Symposium 335 - 'Space Weather of the Heliosphere: Processes and Forecasts' |
Amount | $1,000 (USD) |
Organisation | International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy |
Sector | Private |
Country | Switzerland |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | Sponsorship for IAU Symposium 335 - 'Space Weather of the Heliosphere: Processes and Forecasts' |
Amount | € 20,000 (EUR) |
Organisation | International Astronomical Union |
Sector | Learned Society |
Country | France |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | Sponsorship for IAU Symposium 335 - 'Space Weather of the Heliosphere: Processes and Forecasts' |
Amount | £100 (GBP) |
Organisation | Institute of Physics (IOP) |
Sector | Learned Society |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | Sponsorship for IAU Symposium 335 - 'Space Weather of the Heliosphere: Processes and Forecasts' |
Amount | £2,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | Sponsorship for IAU Symposium 335 - 'Space Weather of the Heliosphere: Processes and Forecasts' |
Amount | € 1,000 (EUR) |
Organisation | Committee on Space Research |
Sector | Public |
Country | France |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | Sponsorship for IAU Symposium 335 - 'Space Weather of the Heliosphere: Processes and Forecasts' |
Amount | $3,000 (USD) |
Organisation | Scientific Committee on Solar Terrestrial Physics |
Sector | Public |
Country | Canada |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | Sponsorship for IAU Symposium 335 - 'Space Weather of the Heliosphere: Processes and Forecasts' |
Amount | £3,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Royal Astronomical Society |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | Cluster Guest Investigator (PI) |
Organisation | ESA - ESTEC |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Cluster GI proposal on 'Magnetopause boundary layer: evolution of plasma and turbulent characteristics along the flank' selected for dawn run in Spring 2016. |
Collaborator Contribution | Proposal Co-Investigators. ESA Cluster operation team. |
Impact | In progress |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | ISSI Team 214 (Flow-Driven Instabilities of the Sun-Earth System) |
Organisation | International Space Science Institute (ISSI) |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | ISSI Team Leader (Flow-Driven Instabilities of the Sun-Earth System) |
Collaborator Contribution | Team members, Young Scientists, External Experts |
Impact | http://www.issibern.ch/teams/flowsunearth/ |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Exeter Maths School Year10 Summer Residential Workshop (University of Exeter) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 40 pupils attended the Exeter Maths School Year 10 Summer Residential Workshop to the University, "Getting close to a Comet and closer to the Sun", and the school reported increase in understanding afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/outreach/exetermathsschool/ |
Description | IAUS335 Education Program 'Space Weather of the Heliosphere' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | * A day of hands-on workshops and short talks for schools. * A twilight Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session for teachers. * Two short public talks ending with a 'fun fair' for children. * Public talk on Space Weather at the Norman Lockyer Observatory. § Long-term exhibition on History of Space Science in the Old Library https://aandg.org/blog/three-days-of-international-outreach-on-space-weather https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/university/title_593730_en.html |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://blogs.exeter.ac.uk/iaus335/education-program/ |
Description | Maths Explore Day (CEMPS, University of Exeter) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 26 pupils (Year 11) attended for CEMPS Maths Explore Day to the University, and the students reported change in understanding and sparked interest. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/outreach/ |
Description | Monthly Maths Challenge (Exeter Maths School) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Monthly Maths Challenge n.5 "Seeing solar storms in STEREO", April 2014, courtesy C. Foullon, http://www.exetermathematicsschool.ac.uk/competition/ Monthly Maths Challenges are part of a targeted outreach programme developed and delivered specifically for those students who clearly demonstrate a mathematical aptitude to thrive in a specialist mathematical environment. One of the aims of the Exeter Mathematics School (EMS) is to raise aspirations among mathematically able young people. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/outreach/exetermathsschool/ |
Description | Ottery St Mary School Space Week |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A class of ~40 teenage girls attended the workshop, and the students reported change in understanding and sparked interest. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/outreach/ |
Description | Public Outreach Lecture (MoCA, Melbourne, Australia) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked questions and discussion afterwards. Talk inspired astronomy amateurs and children to further their interest in the subject. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://moca.monash.edu/outreach/foullon.html |
Description | Public Outreach Lecture SpaceExe Student Society; |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked questions and discussion afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://youtu.be/QfKe0NCC7Ec |
Description | Public stand for Bristish Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Sparked Public interest |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |