Fundamental plasma physics of the sun and heliosphere: CFSA Warwick
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Warwick
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
A quantitative understanding of the fundamental physical processes acting in the Sun's corona and 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 plasma processes in general. For instance, the chromosphere is a natural laboratory for studying the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) of partially ionised plasmas. Coronal MHD waves are of direct relevance to much of the dynamics such as solar flares and eruptions and carry unique information about the plasma parameters and physical processes operating in it; 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 plasma flowing out from the sun generates a solar wind. The texture and dynamics of the solar wind is intimately connected to that of the solar corona and this highly variable plasma flow can lead to local heating which in turn accelerates the solar wind. The solar wind is accelerated to such an extent that it is in principle a turbulence laboratory so that quantifying its fluctuations has direct implications for our understanding of turbulence.
Quantifying and understanding the fluctuating solar wind also provides an important input into models for the propagation of cosmic rays in the heliosphere, and for magnetospheric dynamics including space weather for which the solar wind is the driver. The Sun's magnetic field is generated and maintained by a dynamo in the solar interior. Helioseismology offers a means by which we can probe beneath the visible surface of the Sun, constraining uncertain dynamo models and providing vital insights into the internal magnetic field that is ultimately responsible for the more readily observable manifestations in the solar atmosphere and beyond. The physics of warm dense matter is at an extreme boundary of our knowledge of plasma physics relevant to astrophysics. A quantitative understanding of these processes, closely coupled to observations, can be seen as either the means to understanding observed phenomena, such as cosmic rays, and the structure of gas giants, or as using the observed phenomena as a strong drive to understanding new fundamental plasma physics. These ideas, techniques and expertise that underpin this programme are thus of impact beyond plasma astrophysics.
Quantifying and understanding the fluctuating solar wind also provides an important input into models for the propagation of cosmic rays in the heliosphere, and for magnetospheric dynamics including space weather for which the solar wind is the driver. The Sun's magnetic field is generated and maintained by a dynamo in the solar interior. Helioseismology offers a means by which we can probe beneath the visible surface of the Sun, constraining uncertain dynamo models and providing vital insights into the internal magnetic field that is ultimately responsible for the more readily observable manifestations in the solar atmosphere and beyond. The physics of warm dense matter is at an extreme boundary of our knowledge of plasma physics relevant to astrophysics. A quantitative understanding of these processes, closely coupled to observations, can be seen as either the means to understanding observed phenomena, such as cosmic rays, and the structure of gas giants, or as using the observed phenomena as a strong drive to understanding new fundamental plasma physics. These ideas, techniques and expertise that underpin this programme are thus of impact beyond plasma astrophysics.
Planned Impact
The CFSA provides a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange between the fusion plasma physics community and that of solar system plasma physics. The techniques that we propose to develop for data analysis of nonlinear phenomena and extraction of dynamics from multi-channel complex signals, and in HPC, are of generic application and are at the forefront of grand challenges to both laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. The structure of the CFSA is specifically designed to foster the exchange of ideas between the STFC supported plasma astrophysics programme proposed here, and the EPSRC supported programme in plasma physics for fusion in its widest sense. This follows from our extensive track record of joint projects. By maintaining strong research links with industry, e.g. AWE, Culham and Fluid Gravity, we will continue to facilitate movement of our highly trained PhD students into the industrial sector. Our former graduates have positions in UK industrial R&D (Fluid Gravity, First Light Fusion, Littlestick) and in national facilities (QinetiQ, AWE, Proudham Oceanology, CCFE Culham, Financial and Defence Consultancy) as well as in the medical physics and financial sectors. The capacity building role of graduate and postgraduate training in its broadest sense is widely recognised in that effective and efficient high technology knowledge exchange and transfer is often best delivered through the movement of skilled people within and between research establishments and industrial sectors. The framework for direct knowledge exchange and transfer and capacity building is in place. The graduate student and PDRAs for which we request support here would have direct exposure to training and ideas in plasma physics for both space and fusion, and the relevant generic techniques in data analysis and HPC. Thus we anticipate a free flow of ideas, and highly trained and motivated young scientists between the two sectors. We will use our findings to present new methodologies to doctoral students at Warwick and to other graduate schools at which the Investigators give courses.
The proposers have a broad and innovative approach to outreach, spanning formal presentations to interest groups (local astronomical societies), active engagement with TV, radio, print media and larger projects (e.g. NESTA, Arts Council). The CFSA generates by far the most media mentions in the Physics Department (source, Communications Office, University of Warwick).
The proposers have a broad and innovative approach to outreach, spanning formal presentations to interest groups (local astronomical societies), active engagement with TV, radio, print media and larger projects (e.g. NESTA, Arts Council). The CFSA generates by far the most media mentions in the Physics Department (source, Communications Office, University of Warwick).
Organisations
Publications
Zavershinskii D
(2019)
Formation of quasi-periodic slow magnetoacoustic wave trains by the heating/cooling misbalance
in Physics of Plasmas
Van Doorsselaere T
(2020)
Editorial: Magnetohydrodynamic Waves in the Solar Atmosphere: Heating and Seismology
in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
Tindale E
(2017)
Solar Wind Plasma Parameter Variability Across Solar Cycles 23 and 24: From Turbulence to Extremes
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Tindale E
(2018)
The Dependence of Solar Wind Burst Size on Burst Duration and Its Invariance Across Solar Cycles 23 and 24
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Stainforth D
(2020)
Implications of intrinsic variability for economic assessments of climate change
Srivastava AK
(2017)
High-frequency torsional Alfvén waves as an energy source for coronal heating.
in Scientific reports
Shetye J
(2018)
Signatures of quiet Sun reconnection events in Ca ii, Ha, and Fe i
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Shetye J
(2019)
Multiwavelength High-resolution Observations of Chromospheric Swirls in the Quiet Sun
in The Astrophysical Journal
Shepherd T
(2018)
Storylines: an alternative approach to representing uncertainty in physical aspects of climate change
in Climatic Change
Description | Fundamental insights in to the physics of the solar corona |
Exploitation Route | Fundamental research. |
Sectors | Other |
Description | NORKLIMA |
Amount | krĀ 900,000 (NOK) |
Organisation | Research Council of Norway |
Sector | Public |
Country | Norway |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 01/2016 |