Fundamental Plasma Physics of the Solar System: Warwick CFSA Rolling Grant Application
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Warwick
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
We request support for a programme of research within three themes: (i) coronal dynamics (ii) solar wind turbulence and (iii) plasma phenomena for astrophysics. A quantitative understanding of the fundamental physical processes acting in the corona, in particular processes responsible for the energy release in flares, heating the corona and accelerating the solar wind, is essential not only to the physics of the Sun and its connection to the Earth's environment, but it also enhances our knowledge of astrophysical plasmas processes in general. For instance, the corona is a laboratory for studying magnetic reconnection in three dimensions. Coronal MHD waves are of direct relevance to much of the dynamics such as solar flares and eruptions; coronal waves are capable of transferring energy and mechanical momentum from the convection zone into the corona and heliosphere and are associated with the development of plasma instabilities. The solar wind, with magnetic Reynolds number estimated as ~ 10^5 is in principle an MHD turbulence laboratory so that quantifying its fluctuations has direct implications for our understanding of MHD turbulence; it is also highly relevant to our understanding of coronal heating (of which we see a remnant signature in the solar wind), of the propagation of cosmic rays in the heliosphere, and magnetospheric dynamics for which the solar wind is the driver. Particle acceleration by collisionless shocks, and the physics of warm dense matter, are at two extreme boundaries of our knowledge of plasma physics relevant to astrophysics. A quantitative understanding of these processes, closely coupled to observations, can again be seen as either the means to understanding observed phenomena, namely cosmic rays, and the structure of gas giants, or as using the observed phenomena as a strong drive to understanding new fundamental plasma physics.
Publications
Stainforth D
(2020)
Implications of intrinsic variability for economic assessments of climate change
Chapman S
(2010)
Finite size effects and scaling in solar wind fluctuations
Nicol R
(2010)
The crossover to the "1/f" region of solar wind fluctuations
Chapman S
(2020)
A clock for solar and geomagnetic activity
Watkins N
(2012)
Extreme Events and Natural Hazards: The Complexity Perspective
Description | please see the relevant research papers |
Exploitation Route | please see the relevant research papers |
Sectors | Energy Environment |
Description | please see the relevant research papers on climate change |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | Chapman- RS International Travel Grant |
Amount | £3,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2011 |
End | 03/2011 |
Description | Chapman-Cross Disciplinary Feasibility Account |
Amount | £249,851 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2009 |
End | 03/2011 |
Description | Connectivity of the Sun's atmosphere by MHD waves |
Amount | £12,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2008 |
End | 09/2010 |
Description | Fundamental astroplasma physics of the sun and heliosphere, Warwick CFSA Rolling Grant |
Amount | £1,243,453 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/I000720/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2011 |
End | 03/2015 |
Description | Nakariakov - Newton International Fellowship for Dr M Gruszecki |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2009 |
End | 10/2011 |
Description | Nakariakov - Royal Society International Project with the Space Research Institute, Moscow, Russia |
Amount | £12,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2010 |
End | 09/2013 |
Description | PPRP Detector Development for the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope |
Amount | £3,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2015 |
End | 12/2019 |
Description | Parallel Computing Resources for the UK MHD Community |
Amount | £914,278 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2009 |
End | 12/2012 |
Description | Verwichte - International Travel Grant " MHD Waves and oscillations in solar magnetic structures" |
Amount | £740 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2006 |
End | 07/2006 |
Description | Verwichte - International Travel Grant for AOGS 2010, Hyderabad, India |
Amount | £1,670 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2010 |
End | 07/2010 |
Description | MOU Warwick-Kyushu |
Organisation | Research Institute for Applied Mechanics (RIAM) |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaborative work and graduate lectures at Kyushu |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration at space plasma- fusion plasma interface. |
Impact | Formal MOU between Kyushu University and Warwick University |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Memorandum of Understanding between the Lebedev Physical Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences and the University of Warwick for the Co-operation of Scientific Investigations |
Organisation | Russian Academy of Sciences |
Department | Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (LPI RAS) |
Country | Russian Federation |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Experience in MHD wave theory, analysis of EUV solar data, MHD coronal seismology. |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to the data of the CORONAS-PHOTON space mission. Participation in the proposal of the ARKA/CSI space mission. |
Impact | Proposal of NASA/RKA-funded space mission ARKA/CSI. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | The Royal Society International Joint Project |
Organisation | Russian Academy of Sciences |
Department | Space Research Institute |
Country | Russian Federation |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Expertise in the analysis of quasi-periodic pulsations in astrophysical energy releases. |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to the data of Integral/SPI. |
Impact | Nakariakov, V.M., Zimovets, I.V., Slow Magnetoacoustic Waves in Two-Ribbon Flares, Astrophys. J. 730, L27, 2011 Nakariakov, V. M., Inglis, A. R., Zimovets, I. V., Foullon, C., Verwichte, E., Sych, R., Myagkova, I.N., Oscillatory processes in solar flares, Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 52 124009, 2010, doi:10.1088/0741-3335/52/12/124009 |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Discussion in local school |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 20 students attend talk which lead to 30 minutes of discussion. School stated this helps maintain commitment of students to study science in higher education. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Foullon - University press release "Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at the Sun" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Extensive media coverage online and in press University of Warwick used the picture of the press release on their front page for a few weeks, recognising its potential for attracting students into studying science at Warwick. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Nakariakov - Lecture at Priorsfield Primary School, Kenilworth |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 120 pupils attended the lecture and took part in the discussion after it. The pupils were very interested in the topic and asked a number of questions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Press release on solar wind turbulence |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Numerous mentions in print and web based media Interviews with media |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Verwichte - Knowle Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Verwichte - 30-40 amateur astronomers attended a lecture on "Space Weather: Solar-Terrestrial Relations" Increased public awareness of solar system plasma physics |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007 |