Solar System Physics at Aberystwyth University

The Solar System Physics (SSP) group at Aberystwyth University has research interests extending from the solar interior, through the solar atmosphere and interplanetary space, to Earth and planetary ionospheres. These are important aspects of our solar system, and our study of these environments leads to progress in physics and astronomy, direct benefits to society in understanding the hazards of space weather and asteroid impacts, and other indirect benefits through cross-disciplinary research.

A strong magnetic field permeates the Sun's visible surface (photosphere), and dictates the structure of the atmosphere. This is the corona - a hot, magnetised plasma, an interesting environment for physics. Understanding this environment, through observation and models, drives progress on fundamental plasma physics, and leads to the ability to predict solar storms. Models of this complex system remain incomplete or untested, thus many aspects remain unexplained. With advancements in observation, solar physics is on the verge of answering some of these questions. Our research plays an important part in this effort.

We know that the solar magnetic field emerges from the interior in strong tubes of closely-packed fieldlines, akin to ropes. These appear as sunspots on the photosphere. We study the behaviour of sunspots as they rotate with the Sun across the visible disk, in order to understand the transport of the magnetic field and energy from the interior into space. As huge solar telescopes are planned and built we must have the necessary software tools to interpret and analyse new data. In preparation, we are creating model spectra of molecules which exist in the relatively cool environment of sunspots. Solar observations of spectral lines from these molecules help probe the sunspot environment, giving constraints on physical properties such as temperature or magnetic field. Part of this effort involves the research input of A-level school students - a rare chance to combine cutting-edge research with the engagement and education of the next generation of scientists.

We are dedicated to the development of new data analysis tools that reveal and characterise solar atmospheric events and phenomena. For the first time, our methods have revealed a stream of faint disturbances moving everywhere, continuously through the corona. This provides a powerful new diagnostic that will constrain models and enable the mapping of the intricate coronal magnetic field. Our advanced numerical models are revealing the complex interplay between twists in the magnetic field and plasma flows along the field - ultimately helping us to understand events such as large eruptions that can hit and effect Earth. Our methods have cross-disciplinary applications. For example, software developed by the group to detect and track solar storms has recently been used to improve the diagnostics of microscope time-series imagery of cancer cell growths.

Clues to the complex plasma processes in the corona and beyond lie in direct measurements of the solar wind plasma by multiple spacecraft. We are developing new analysis tools to interpret these measurements, allowing a more complete picture of the history of the solar wind as it evolves from the Sun to Earth. This leads to an understanding of the processes that heat and accelerate the plasma near the Sun and to an understanding of what important processes occur in tenuous magnetic plasmas, of broad general importance to physics and astronomy.

Observed changes in the lunar surface may be due to impacts, or to lunar internal activity. We have leading processing methods to identify and analyse events. Categorizing large number of events will be achieved with the help of citizen scientists. This effort is important to understand geological processes on the Moon, and from a more practical standpoint, to identify the safest sites for future exploration. Our methods can also be used for other airless planets.

Economy: The economical impact of our research can be measured in our efforts to limit the potential trillions of dollars of damage to the worldwide economy in the event of a catastrophic solar storm. The type of research conducted by the group is an important part of understanding, and eventually forecasting, the behaviour of the Sun-Earth system.

The economic beneficiaries of our work will be:
- Public bodies and government. Through our expertise in space weather and solar system astronomy, the group will be active on national and international panels to advise government and other public bodies. This aids governments and related bodies to spend public money more effectively.

- Commercial entities. The group's research will allow us to forge stronger partnerships with private companies. The group has ties with Qinetiq, in particular, who will benefit from our research expertise to improve GPS performance during space weather events, of critical importance to the public and military. They have, and will, also benefit from recruiting our best graduates.

Society: Solar and planetary scientists have access to spectacular images of the solar system. This places unique responsibilities for us to engage with public audiences.

The societal beneficiaries of our work will be:
The Welsh public. We have, and will continue, to exhibit astronomy to a large (~100,000) non-scientific audience via the national Eisteddfod festival. A broad cross-section of Welsh society attends the week-long Eisteddfod every year, and we have a strong presence on the field. This includes stalls and attractive exhibitions in the science pavilion, solar telescopes, and an enthusiastic group of staff and students to engage the public. Welsh society and culture is generally dominated by music and the arts. The audience benefit through gaining an understanding of the local space environment, and by their increased acceptance of science as a part of their life. Group members have leading roles in a RAS200 project that is bringing Astronomy to the Welsh public through the medium of Welsh culture, art and music.

School children & young people. With the aid of University administration, we will visit schools to talk about our science, and organise activities where school children visit the University. There are obvious benefits for the children here, through an enhancement of their understanding of solar and planetary science and by influencing their behaviour in terms of career choice, and their possible future recruitment into a science career. Our department has a member of staff dedicated to outreach who helps co-ordinate school visits, and organise special events. As part of this grant, we are submitting a dedicated outreach project to engage A-level school children in a research project.

The department hosts a successful Robotics Club for school children. This has an element of space robotics in the context of our work on ExoMars instruments. A member of staff is building a full-size mock-up of the ExoMars rover, and we have mini-remote control ExoMars rovers to increase children's interest in this mission.

The general public. We will grow on our impressive media contacts to expose astronomy to a wide audience. Traditionally, Welsh culture is dominated by arts and music. Any work we can do to increase the exposure to science will benefit society as a whole, by increasing public understanding of our complex environment, and by creating an environment where children (and adults) are encouraged to study science, perhaps as a career. TriScience is a major, WEFO-funded outreach collaboration with other Welsh Universities, under which we will establish space-based outreach installations in the University's Old College building, and run intensive interventional outreach schemes with young people.

See Pathways to Impact for details our plans to reach beneficiaries, and for recent highlights of our engagement and impact work.