Consolidated Grant in Solar Physics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
In this proposal we study the dynamic Sun, to measure and understand the plasmas, particles and processes in its atmosphere and the extended heliosphere that it creates. We focus on several key unsolved problems in solar physics, that are also prototypes for a wider and deeper understanding of cosmic plasmas as a whole. Our top-level questions are: How does the Sun store and release energy in its magnetised atmosphere, and what can we learn about this process by computer simulations and by studying the radiation that is emitted? How do high-energy radiating particles behave in solar flares and in interplanetary space? How are they accelerated, are they beamed and do they play a key role in flares and their terrestrial impact?
The magnetic field is key to everything that happens in the Sun's atmosphere. Concentrated magnetic regions emerge through the Sun's surface and into its atmosphere. Here they interact with the pre-existing magnetic field and the result is intense bursts of energy known as flares, which accelerate sub-atomic particles (electrons and ions), cause heating to millions of degrees, and can also lead to expulsion of magnetised plasma into space, which can cause damaging `space weather'. Flares have distinctive radiation signatures that are closely related to the way that energy is transmitted along the magnetic field from the corona down to the solar surface and out into the distant heliosphere, and converted into other forms as it goes. By interpreting this radiation both from the Sun's tenuous outer atmosphere - its corona - and its denser lower atmosphere - its chromosphere - we can understand what is happening in a flare. More generally, solar magnetic fields create eccentric and dynamic shapes in the solar atmosphere, for example swirling `tornado-like' structures, and clouds of cool material called prominences, apparently floating (though in reality supported by magnetic forces) above the solar surface.
Our programme combines observational data from space-based and ground-based telescopes with theoretical and numerical modelling to address all of these topics, and spans a wide range of technical problems, from the modeling of radiation moving through a plasma to high-energy particle acceleration; from electromagnetic waves to relativistic particle beams; from image processing to statistical analysis of weak signals, and from mathematical `pen-and-paper' calculations to advanced numerical simulations. We will bring all these skills to bear on questions at the heart of current efforts to better understand our nearest star.
The magnetic field is key to everything that happens in the Sun's atmosphere. Concentrated magnetic regions emerge through the Sun's surface and into its atmosphere. Here they interact with the pre-existing magnetic field and the result is intense bursts of energy known as flares, which accelerate sub-atomic particles (electrons and ions), cause heating to millions of degrees, and can also lead to expulsion of magnetised plasma into space, which can cause damaging `space weather'. Flares have distinctive radiation signatures that are closely related to the way that energy is transmitted along the magnetic field from the corona down to the solar surface and out into the distant heliosphere, and converted into other forms as it goes. By interpreting this radiation both from the Sun's tenuous outer atmosphere - its corona - and its denser lower atmosphere - its chromosphere - we can understand what is happening in a flare. More generally, solar magnetic fields create eccentric and dynamic shapes in the solar atmosphere, for example swirling `tornado-like' structures, and clouds of cool material called prominences, apparently floating (though in reality supported by magnetic forces) above the solar surface.
Our programme combines observational data from space-based and ground-based telescopes with theoretical and numerical modelling to address all of these topics, and spans a wide range of technical problems, from the modeling of radiation moving through a plasma to high-energy particle acceleration; from electromagnetic waves to relativistic particle beams; from image processing to statistical analysis of weak signals, and from mathematical `pen-and-paper' calculations to advanced numerical simulations. We will bring all these skills to bear on questions at the heart of current efforts to better understand our nearest star.
Planned Impact
All Co-Is on the grant are involved in trying to ensure that our STFC-funded research efforts are used to the wider benefit of society, through reaching out to cognate disciplines, engagement with policy-makers and industry, and an extremely active public outreach and schools' programme. We are actively involved, and contribute to the agendas of, several initiatives in space weather and sensors, both internal and external to Glasgow University. This includes an STFC-funded space weather network. We have received University support for joint projects with the Schools of Engineering and Mathematics & Statistics, which has led to significant cross-disciplinary research, supported by a PhD student. Future plans in Knowledge Exchange include building stronger relationships with industrial partners via our membership of a Centre for Doctoral Training in Data-Intensive Science.
Our research, and the involvement that it brings us with high profile projects and missions, will benefit the public. As can be seen from our extensive list of outreach engagements we are extremely active in communicating our work through public events, tens of talk per year to science centres, schools and societies, and science-art projects. We dedicate particular effort to bringing our work to remote sites in Scotland as well as continuing a local programme of talks, observatory visits and observing nights etc which are co-ordinated by the group secretary and run by group members (note, we have an 'Outreach' website at: http://www.astro.gla.ac.uk/outreach/index.php which acts as a single point of contact for all outreach requests). We strongly encourage the involvement of our RAs and particularly our PhD students in this activity as well, ensuring a lively and continued programme. Future plans in Outreach include a formal partnership with the Glasgow Science Centre whereby group members work together with, and are trained by outreach professionals on planetarium shows, and participation in future IOP Scotland `Festival of Physics' events.
Keeping at the forefront of our respective research areas ensures that we remain credible speakers for the public, as evidenced by many repeat invitations. We are also closely involved with schools activities, giving classroom sessions, and running school-specific projects. This activity is undertaken by staff and PhD students alike and is co-ordinated as above via our outreach website and group secretary.
Our research, and the involvement that it brings us with high profile projects and missions, will benefit the public. As can be seen from our extensive list of outreach engagements we are extremely active in communicating our work through public events, tens of talk per year to science centres, schools and societies, and science-art projects. We dedicate particular effort to bringing our work to remote sites in Scotland as well as continuing a local programme of talks, observatory visits and observing nights etc which are co-ordinated by the group secretary and run by group members (note, we have an 'Outreach' website at: http://www.astro.gla.ac.uk/outreach/index.php which acts as a single point of contact for all outreach requests). We strongly encourage the involvement of our RAs and particularly our PhD students in this activity as well, ensuring a lively and continued programme. Future plans in Outreach include a formal partnership with the Glasgow Science Centre whereby group members work together with, and are trained by outreach professionals on planetarium shows, and participation in future IOP Scotland `Festival of Physics' events.
Keeping at the forefront of our respective research areas ensures that we remain credible speakers for the public, as evidenced by many repeat invitations. We are also closely involved with schools activities, giving classroom sessions, and running school-specific projects. This activity is undertaken by staff and PhD students alike and is co-ordinated as above via our outreach website and group secretary.
Organisations
- University of Glasgow (Lead Research Organisation)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (Collaboration)
- University of Orleans (Collaboration)
- University of Oslo (Collaboration)
- Royal Observatory of Belgium (Collaboration)
- Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) (Collaboration)
- Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (Collaboration)
- University of Turku (Collaboration)
- Russian Academy of Sciences (Collaboration)
- Kalahari Meerkat Project (Collaboration)
- Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) (Collaboration)
- QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON (Collaboration)
- Lockheed Martin (United States) (Collaboration)
- University of Maryland, College Park (Collaboration)
- International Space Science Institute (ISSI) (Collaboration)
- University of California, Berkeley (Collaboration)
- Observatory of Paris (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY (Collaboration)
Publications
Armstrong J
(2021)
A machine-learning approach to correcting atmospheric seeing in solar flare observations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Arnold H
(2021)
Electron Acceleration during Macroscale Magnetic Reconnection
in Physical Review Letters
Barczynski K
(2021)
Spectro-imagery of an active tornado-like prominence: Formation and evolution
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Barczynski K
(2023)
Two-horn quiescent prominence observed in H a and Mg II h&k lines with THEMIS and IRIS
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Borissov A
(2020)
Particle acceleration with anomalous pitch angle scattering in 3D separator reconnection
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Carlsson M
(2023)
The F-CHROMA grid of 1D RADYN flare models
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Chen X
(2023)
The frequency ratio and time delay of solar radio emissions with fundamental and harmonic components
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Chen X
(2020)
Subsecond Time Evolution of Type III Solar Radio Burst Sources at Fundamental and Harmonic Frequencies
in The Astrophysical Journal
Cheung M
(2022)
Probing the Physics of the Solar Atmosphere with the Multi-slit Solar Explorer (MUSE). II. Flares and Eruptions
in The Astrophysical Journal
Clarkson D
(2023)
Solar Radio Spikes and Type IIIb Striae Manifestations of Subsecond Electron Acceleration Triggered by a Coronal Mass Ejection
in The Astrophysical Journal
Description | SUPA course on 'The Sun's Atmosphere' |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Travel Support for Hinode/IRIS meeting (Mulay) |
Amount | € 900 (EUR) |
Organisation | European Space Agency |
Sector | Public |
Country | France |
Start | 07/2022 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | ALMA Collaboration, University of Oslo |
Organisation | University of Oslo |
Department | Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics |
Country | Norway |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Contribution to a journal paper |
Collaborator Contribution | Contribution to a journal paper, supervision of visiting Glasgow PhD student |
Impact | Journal papers DOI 10.1051/0004-6361/201937122 DOI 10.3847/1538-4357/aafdfb |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Collaboration with Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo |
Organisation | Mackenzie Presbyterian University |
Country | Brazil |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Expertise and intellectual input |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise and intellectual input |
Impact | 3 joint papers published |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Collaboration with the University of Oslo (Fletcher) |
Organisation | University of Oslo |
Country | Norway |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Research input |
Collaborator Contribution | Research input |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | DSTL Project (Kontar) |
Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Analysis and modelling of solar radio data, cross-calibration with existing radio data. Compare imaging and spectroscopic data with simulations to establish detailed links between nonthermal electrons and the fine structures in radio burst spectra. |
Collaborator Contribution | Input on radio data, and creating efficient algorithms and adequate software to deduce the radio source properties from LOFAR data |
Impact | Joint supervision of PhD student |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | DSTL Project (Kontar) |
Organisation | Observatory of Paris |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis and modelling of solar radio data, cross-calibration with existing radio data. Compare imaging and spectroscopic data with simulations to establish detailed links between nonthermal electrons and the fine structures in radio burst spectra. |
Collaborator Contribution | Input on radio data, and creating efficient algorithms and adequate software to deduce the radio source properties from LOFAR data |
Impact | Joint supervision of PhD student |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | ISSI Team on beam-plasma interaction |
Organisation | International Space Science Institute (ISSI) |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of ground-based radio data (LOFAR), in situ data from e.g. Parker Solar Probe, and numerical modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | The team consists of specialists in data analysis, theorists and experts in computer simulations and is aimed at studying the set of open questions related to the Type III emissions generation. Uses data from Wind, STEREO, MMS and of the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter satellites, that may provide complementary information, as well as recent measurements by the LOFAR facility. Experimental data will also be compared with the results of modelling and computer simulations. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | ISSI Team on beam-plasma interaction |
Organisation | Observatory of Paris |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of ground-based radio data (LOFAR), in situ data from e.g. Parker Solar Probe, and numerical modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | The team consists of specialists in data analysis, theorists and experts in computer simulations and is aimed at studying the set of open questions related to the Type III emissions generation. Uses data from Wind, STEREO, MMS and of the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter satellites, that may provide complementary information, as well as recent measurements by the LOFAR facility. Experimental data will also be compared with the results of modelling and computer simulations. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | ISSI Team on beam-plasma interaction |
Organisation | Queen Mary University of London |
Department | School of Physics and Astronomy |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of ground-based radio data (LOFAR), in situ data from e.g. Parker Solar Probe, and numerical modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | The team consists of specialists in data analysis, theorists and experts in computer simulations and is aimed at studying the set of open questions related to the Type III emissions generation. Uses data from Wind, STEREO, MMS and of the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter satellites, that may provide complementary information, as well as recent measurements by the LOFAR facility. Experimental data will also be compared with the results of modelling and computer simulations. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | ISSI Team on beam-plasma interaction |
Organisation | Royal Observatory of Belgium |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of ground-based radio data (LOFAR), in situ data from e.g. Parker Solar Probe, and numerical modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | The team consists of specialists in data analysis, theorists and experts in computer simulations and is aimed at studying the set of open questions related to the Type III emissions generation. Uses data from Wind, STEREO, MMS and of the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter satellites, that may provide complementary information, as well as recent measurements by the LOFAR facility. Experimental data will also be compared with the results of modelling and computer simulations. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | ISSI Team on beam-plasma interaction |
Organisation | Russian Academy of Sciences |
Department | Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation |
Country | Russian Federation |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of ground-based radio data (LOFAR), in situ data from e.g. Parker Solar Probe, and numerical modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | The team consists of specialists in data analysis, theorists and experts in computer simulations and is aimed at studying the set of open questions related to the Type III emissions generation. Uses data from Wind, STEREO, MMS and of the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter satellites, that may provide complementary information, as well as recent measurements by the LOFAR facility. Experimental data will also be compared with the results of modelling and computer simulations. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | ISSI Team on beam-plasma interaction |
Organisation | Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) |
Country | Sweden |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Analysis of ground-based radio data (LOFAR), in situ data from e.g. Parker Solar Probe, and numerical modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | The team consists of specialists in data analysis, theorists and experts in computer simulations and is aimed at studying the set of open questions related to the Type III emissions generation. Uses data from Wind, STEREO, MMS and of the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter satellites, that may provide complementary information, as well as recent measurements by the LOFAR facility. Experimental data will also be compared with the results of modelling and computer simulations. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | ISSI Team on beam-plasma interaction |
Organisation | University of California, Berkeley |
Department | Space Sciences Laboratory |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of ground-based radio data (LOFAR), in situ data from e.g. Parker Solar Probe, and numerical modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | The team consists of specialists in data analysis, theorists and experts in computer simulations and is aimed at studying the set of open questions related to the Type III emissions generation. Uses data from Wind, STEREO, MMS and of the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter satellites, that may provide complementary information, as well as recent measurements by the LOFAR facility. Experimental data will also be compared with the results of modelling and computer simulations. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | ISSI Team on beam-plasma interaction |
Organisation | University of Maryland |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of ground-based radio data (LOFAR), in situ data from e.g. Parker Solar Probe, and numerical modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | The team consists of specialists in data analysis, theorists and experts in computer simulations and is aimed at studying the set of open questions related to the Type III emissions generation. Uses data from Wind, STEREO, MMS and of the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter satellites, that may provide complementary information, as well as recent measurements by the LOFAR facility. Experimental data will also be compared with the results of modelling and computer simulations. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | ISSI Team on beam-plasma interaction |
Organisation | University of Orleans |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of ground-based radio data (LOFAR), in situ data from e.g. Parker Solar Probe, and numerical modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | The team consists of specialists in data analysis, theorists and experts in computer simulations and is aimed at studying the set of open questions related to the Type III emissions generation. Uses data from Wind, STEREO, MMS and of the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter satellites, that may provide complementary information, as well as recent measurements by the LOFAR facility. Experimental data will also be compared with the results of modelling and computer simulations. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | ISSI Team on beam-plasma interaction |
Organisation | University of Sydney |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of ground-based radio data (LOFAR), in situ data from e.g. Parker Solar Probe, and numerical modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | The team consists of specialists in data analysis, theorists and experts in computer simulations and is aimed at studying the set of open questions related to the Type III emissions generation. Uses data from Wind, STEREO, MMS and of the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter satellites, that may provide complementary information, as well as recent measurements by the LOFAR facility. Experimental data will also be compared with the results of modelling and computer simulations. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | ISSI Team on beam-plasma interaction |
Organisation | University of Turku |
Country | Finland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of ground-based radio data (LOFAR), in situ data from e.g. Parker Solar Probe, and numerical modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | The team consists of specialists in data analysis, theorists and experts in computer simulations and is aimed at studying the set of open questions related to the Type III emissions generation. Uses data from Wind, STEREO, MMS and of the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter satellites, that may provide complementary information, as well as recent measurements by the LOFAR facility. Experimental data will also be compared with the results of modelling and computer simulations. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | MUSE collaboration |
Organisation | Lockheed Martin |
Department | Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory (LMSAL) |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | I am a science Co-Investigator on NASA's MUSE mission, which has been selected to fly as a SMEX. I contribute expertise on solar flares, including advice on science goals, instrument design/operation and observing sequences needed to achieve these |
Collaborator Contribution | There are numerous other contributions necessary to produce a solar physics space mission investigating the many physical processes at work. Impossible to describe them all. Hardware, software, science motivations.... |
Impact | A publication describing how solar flare science goals can be met by the MUSE missions has been published. See https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/link_gateway/2022ApJ...926...53C/ |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | MUSE collaboration |
Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
Department | Marshall Space Flight Center |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | I am a science Co-Investigator on NASA's MUSE mission, which has been selected to fly as a SMEX. I contribute expertise on solar flares, including advice on science goals, instrument design/operation and observing sequences needed to achieve these |
Collaborator Contribution | There are numerous other contributions necessary to produce a solar physics space mission investigating the many physical processes at work. Impossible to describe them all. Hardware, software, science motivations.... |
Impact | A publication describing how solar flare science goals can be met by the MUSE missions has been published. See https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/link_gateway/2022ApJ...926...53C/ |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Science use of Solar Orbiter/RPW data |
Organisation | Observatory of Paris |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis and modelling of radio wave propagation in the solar wind |
Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of Solar Orbiter / RPW data |
Impact | Article published here: https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201936214 |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Solar Wind Turbulence with MeerKAT and Parker Solar Probe |
Organisation | Kalahari Meerkat Project |
Country | South Africa |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Modeling of radio wave propagation |
Collaborator Contribution | Radio and space observations |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2020 |
Title | LOFAR Solar Software |
Description | Branch of the SolarSoftware (SSW) IDL library for the analysis of data from the Low Frequency Array for Radioastronomy (LOFAR) |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Impact | Increased usage of LOFAR solar data |
URL | https://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/solarsoft/radio/lofar/ |
Description | Shetland School's talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Talk to 2 schools in Shetland on the Sun and Space Weather. Good questions asked by participants, and repeat invitation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Talk on high resolution solar telescopes to SIGMA, Moray's Astronomy Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presentation on high-resolution solar telescopes to Moray Astronomy Society. Questions at the talk, and follow-up questions by email and an invitation to return. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Talk to Edinburgh University of the 3rd Age Science Section |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Around 15 people attended this talk. There were a number of good questions afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |