An STFC Consolidated grant application to support solar and space science at the University of Sheffield

This research programme revolves around the idea of analysing, modelling, interpreting and understanding the dynamical processes occurring in solar and solar-terrestrial plasmas. It focuses on several key fundamental processes that are crucial in understanding the Sun-Earth environment. It uses direct measurements made within our solar system and numerical models to understand and validate this data. Its core focus is on advancing fundamental science. However, by doing so it will directly lead to a better understand of the effects of the sun on the terrestrial and other planetary environments, which has increasing importance for modern society.

The research programme has two overall closely linked high level aims. The first is to better understand how the solar wind (the high velocity stream of magnetised matter emitted by the Sun) interacts with planets. The second is to understand the atmosphere of the Sun and its generation of the solar wind. The research is split into four projects. The first two projects address the first aim. Specifically they are focused on understanding the shock waves produced in front of the planets due to their interaction with the solar wind. These shock waves are the primary means by which the high speed solar wind is slowed down and heated just before in interacts with the immediate planetary environment. The second set of two projects address the second aim. Specifically they are focused on understanding how the extreme temperature changes throughout the Sun's atmosphere arise and how relatively small scale processes can cause these.

The primary results from the research programme will be in advancing fundamental science. However, its impact goes beyond this. Only by understanding our own solar system are we able to better understand more distant systems, where we cannot send spacecraft to sample and make direct in-situ measurement. The impact of this the research programme includes helping answer questions such as whether exoplanets can harbour life and how supernovae accelerate matter to some of the highest energies know. As well as advancing the fundamental science, the results will help inform the analysis of data from, and design of future space missions to explore the immediate and wider environment in which we live. Its results are fundamental to achieving a better understanding of the wider space-environment that we live in and its effect of our immediate and future "living" environment. Society is becoming increasingly reliant on technology, which is often inherently linked to energy and communication networks. This better understanding of humanities natural environment will ultimately help plan for a safe and sustainable future.

Our research programme involves analysing, modelling, interpreting and understanding the dynamical processes occurring in solar and solar-terrestrial plasmas. Its core focus is on advancing fundamental science. However, by doing so it will directly lead to a better understand of the effects of the sun on the terrestrial and other planetary environments, which has increasing importance for modern society.

The main impact of the proposed research will be on the advancement of science and the attainment of new knowledge. In-particular, this will be in collisionless shock physics and the heating and dynamics of the solar atmosphere. The results from this work will have a clear and immediate impact on other scientist working on these areas, both within our solar-system and a wider astrophysical context. It also has the potential to impact scientists working on lab based studies plasmas. It will also have a direct impact on current, planned and future space missions to study space and planetary environments. One of the main economic impacts will be through the transfer of knowledge and training of young researchers. The training acquired by PhD students and PDRAs as a result of the proposed research will provide them with a transferable skill set applicable in most Science, Technological, Engineering, and Mathematical (STEM) disciplines, preparing them for careers either in or beyond academia.

As a research led University, the research in the proposed projects will also be incorporated into undergraduate and postgraduate teaching modules. The research in this proposal will be used to influence and design of future student led undergraduate and postgraduate projects. Both of these will help University level students gain knowledge and skills that will be useful in their future careers. Space research is a major way of generating interest among younger people and attracting them into studying STEM related subjects, especially if it can be linked to environmental and technological issues. Today, with the internet, there are many methods to attract and stimulate public interest in space research, in addition to traditional methods such as public lectures. We will deliver talks to schools and use these other means to help enthuse younger people into STEM careers.

Ultimately the work will be fundamental to achieving a better understanding on the wider space-environment that we live in and its effect of our immediate and future "living" environment. Society is becoming increasingly reliant on technology, which is often inherently linked to energy and communication networks. This better understanding of humanities natural environment will ultimately help plan for a safe and sustainable future, thus benefitting wider society as a whole.