STFC Consolidated Grant: Plasma environments in the solar system
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
This consolidated grant supports a programme of STFC-funded research into the physics of various plasma environments within our solar system. The programme is thus divided into four distinct projects, the aims of which are as follows:
- Project 1 aims to determine the extent to which internal magnetospheric processes disrupt the solar wind control of large-scale magnetospheric dynamics and ensuing space weather, by considering phenomena that decouple the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere system.
- Project 2 will investigate lunar dust charging and dynamics as well as collective behaviour of dusty plasmas applicable to other bodies in the solar system (e.g. Saturn's rings, comets). This will be done by further development of a 3D particle-in-cell simulation developed at Lancaster that will include all relevant forces, distributions and fields to fully capture the physics.
- Project 3 will exploit data from Mars- and Saturn-orbiting spacecraft to study magnetic flux ropes, a phenomenon linked to the loss of planetary atmospheres from unmagnetised bodies, to understand their role in solar-planetary coupling.
- Project 4 will identify how energy from the Sun affects Saturn, through the study of Saturn's auroral emissions observed by Cassini and the Hubble Space Telescope under the extremes of solar cycle activity.
- Project 1 aims to determine the extent to which internal magnetospheric processes disrupt the solar wind control of large-scale magnetospheric dynamics and ensuing space weather, by considering phenomena that decouple the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere system.
- Project 2 will investigate lunar dust charging and dynamics as well as collective behaviour of dusty plasmas applicable to other bodies in the solar system (e.g. Saturn's rings, comets). This will be done by further development of a 3D particle-in-cell simulation developed at Lancaster that will include all relevant forces, distributions and fields to fully capture the physics.
- Project 3 will exploit data from Mars- and Saturn-orbiting spacecraft to study magnetic flux ropes, a phenomenon linked to the loss of planetary atmospheres from unmagnetised bodies, to understand their role in solar-planetary coupling.
- Project 4 will identify how energy from the Sun affects Saturn, through the study of Saturn's auroral emissions observed by Cassini and the Hubble Space Telescope under the extremes of solar cycle activity.
Planned Impact
Space Weather stakeholders
As awareness of the societal and economic impact of space weather grows, so do the demands to develop operational forecast models to enable infrastructure operators to manage exposure to the space weather hazards and mitigate the risks of system failure. The outputs of the programme work (notably Project 1) will be crucial to current international efforts in modelling the energisation and convective transport of particles into the inner magnetosphere. The applicants (and wider SPEARS group) have an excellent track record of engagement with space weather research, industry and high-level government stakeholders and will exploit established knowledge exchange routes to maximize the impact of our research outputs in these groups.
Schools students and the public
SPEARS researchers have a strong track-record of engaging with non-specialist audiences (the public, schools audiences, the media and policy-makers). We shall exploit our exiting networks and expertise to communicate the proposed research to wider audiences, with particular emphasis on engaging with school students and their teachers via close institutional links to the South Lakes Teaching School Alliance (SLTSA) which includes 8 secondary schools, one special school, one FE College and the University of Cumbria working in close partnership to achieve curriculum collaboration and school improvement. RCUK Schools University Partnership Initiative (SUPI) funding is enabling Lancaster to work in partnership with the SLTSA, to provide the opportunity to gain first hand experience of research from a research-intensive university. Applicants and researchers associated with this consolidated grant application will therefore benefit from (i) institutional efforts to create a structured and strategic mechanism for engagement; (ii) investment and support to provide dedicated training for early career researchers to become effective and inspirational communicators of research; (iii) support for direct, and regular engagement with secondary level students to enhance and enrich the school and postgraduate curriculum; (iv) opportunities to support teachers in their professional development and hence increase their confidence in using research findings to enhance their teaching. These institutional aims perfectly complement the project-specific outreach activities proposed in the case for support and we expect to benefit from SUPI support and resources.
As awareness of the societal and economic impact of space weather grows, so do the demands to develop operational forecast models to enable infrastructure operators to manage exposure to the space weather hazards and mitigate the risks of system failure. The outputs of the programme work (notably Project 1) will be crucial to current international efforts in modelling the energisation and convective transport of particles into the inner magnetosphere. The applicants (and wider SPEARS group) have an excellent track record of engagement with space weather research, industry and high-level government stakeholders and will exploit established knowledge exchange routes to maximize the impact of our research outputs in these groups.
Schools students and the public
SPEARS researchers have a strong track-record of engaging with non-specialist audiences (the public, schools audiences, the media and policy-makers). We shall exploit our exiting networks and expertise to communicate the proposed research to wider audiences, with particular emphasis on engaging with school students and their teachers via close institutional links to the South Lakes Teaching School Alliance (SLTSA) which includes 8 secondary schools, one special school, one FE College and the University of Cumbria working in close partnership to achieve curriculum collaboration and school improvement. RCUK Schools University Partnership Initiative (SUPI) funding is enabling Lancaster to work in partnership with the SLTSA, to provide the opportunity to gain first hand experience of research from a research-intensive university. Applicants and researchers associated with this consolidated grant application will therefore benefit from (i) institutional efforts to create a structured and strategic mechanism for engagement; (ii) investment and support to provide dedicated training for early career researchers to become effective and inspirational communicators of research; (iii) support for direct, and regular engagement with secondary level students to enhance and enrich the school and postgraduate curriculum; (iv) opportunities to support teachers in their professional development and hence increase their confidence in using research findings to enhance their teaching. These institutional aims perfectly complement the project-specific outreach activities proposed in the case for support and we expect to benefit from SUPI support and resources.
Organisations
Publications
Case N
(2017)
An analysis of magnetic reconnection events and their associated auroral enhancements
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Carbary J
(2017)
Dawn-Dusk Asymmetries in Planetary Plasma Environments
Browett S
(2017)
Timescales for the penetration of IMF B y into the Earth's magnetotail
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Badman S
(2016)
Saturn's auroral morphology and field-aligned currents during a solar wind compression
in Icarus
Badman S
(2016)
Extraterrestrial light shows
in Physics World
Bader A
(2018)
Statistical Planetary Period Oscillation Signatures in Saturn's UV Auroral Intensity
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Bader A
(2019)
Modulations of Saturn's UV Auroral Oval Location by Planetary Period Oscillations
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Description | Some key findings of this grant (not yet completed) are: - We have discovered how Saturn's aurora can sometimes fade from a bright oval to a single spot, and how this may be controlled by the Sun. Also investigated how Saturn's aurora rotate around the planet under quiet and active conditions. - We have shown that the majority of electron density enhancements in Mars' atmosphere occur in regions the planets weak crustal magnetic field shields the atmosphere from the solar wind. - We have discovered how the location of the Earth's aurora is related to the location of dynamic processes occurring on the terrestrial magnetic field in near-Earth space (the magnetosphere), and developed ideas about what governs this location in terms of the solar wind properties. - We have also discovered how dawn-dusk asymmetries in these magnetospheric processes propagate, via plasma flows, into the Earth's magnetic field, and developed ideas about what governs the timescales for this propagation. |
Exploitation Route | Findings will be exploited in the academic sector |
Sectors | Other |
Description | Various findings from this grant have been included in public engagement and outreach activities delivered by the team of applicants. |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
Description | Astronomy Consolidated Grant Scheme |
Amount | £1,007,571 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/R000816/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | DST NRF Fellowship for Early Career Researchers from the UK |
Amount | R166,000 (ZAR) |
Organisation | National Research Foundation |
Sector | Public |
Country | South Africa |
Start | 06/2018 |
End | 10/2018 |
Description | Gradconsult microgrant |
Amount | £550 (GBP) |
Organisation | Gradconsult |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2017 |
Description | Royal Astronomical Society Undergraduate Summer Bursary |
Amount | £1,200 (GBP) |
Organisation | Royal Astronomical Society |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2017 |
End | 08/2017 |
Title | AuroraWatch UK Historical Activity (1/09/2000 - 23/10/2017) |
Description | Historical dataset of reprocessed AuroraWatch UK activity values. Activity data are provided by a range of magnetometers using a data selection criteria described in the AuroraWatch UK paper. The latest alert alogrithm (at date of production) has been applied to all historical magnetometer data to provide consisten activity values. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Not yet aware of any impacts. |
URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.17635/lancaster/researchdata/184 |
Description | Aurorawatch UK website and blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Dr. Nathan Case runs the AuroraWatch UK website and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Telegram). He also set-up and runs the AuroraWatch UK blog. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018 |
URL | https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk |
Description | Community Day (Lancaster University) |
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 | Poster display and hands on activities based on solar system research for the University Community Day. Raised awareness of research area and involvement in space missions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Conversation Article: "Beautiful green 'airglow' spotted by aurora hunters - but what is it? " |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was an article by Dr. Nathan Case in "The Conversation", an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public. The aim is to convey the broader sense of our research topic to a wider audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/beautiful-green-airglow-spotted-by-aurora-hunters-but-what-is-it-68188 |
Description | Conversation Article: "Citizen scientists discover new type of aurora " |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was an article by Dr. Nathan Case in "The Conversation", an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public. The aim is to convey the broader sense of our research topic to a wider audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/citizen-scientists-discover-new-type-of-aurora-76601 |
Description | Conversation Article: "Don't panic: the northern lights won't be turning off anytime soon " |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was an article by Dr. Nathan Case in "The Conversation", an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public. The aim is to convey the broader sense of our research topic to a wider audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/dont-panic-the-northern-lights-wont-be-turning-off-anytime-soon-72436 |
Description | Conversation Article: "Explainer: what are the 'nacreous clouds' lighting up the winter skies?" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was an article by Dr. Nathan Case in "The Conversation", an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public. The aim is to convey the broader sense of our research topic to a wider audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-are-the-nacreous-clouds-lighting-up-the-winter-skies-5409... |
Description | Conversation Article: "Whale strandings: could solar storms that cause the northern lights be to blame?" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was an article by Dr. Nathan Case in "The Conversation", an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public. The aim is to convey the broader sense of our research topic to a wider audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/whale-strandings-could-solar-storms-that-cause-the-northern-lights-be-to... |
Description | Conversation Article: "What's it like to see auroras on other planets?" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was an article by Dr. Nathan Case in "The Conversation", an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public. The aim is to convey the broader sense of our research topic to a wider audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/whats-it-like-to-see-auroras-on-other-planets-50341 |
Description | HeadStart Space Physics Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Dr. Nathan Case co-organsied and lectured at a Space Physics Open Day to showcase our research activities and enthuse local -level students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Interview on BBC Radio Lancashire |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Dr. Nathan Case talking about the Aurora on local radio to inform and engage the public. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Interview on That's Lancashire TV |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Dr. Nathan Case talking about the Aurora on local TV to inform and engage the public. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |