Determining the fundamental and dynamic structure of the solar corona

Observed across the electromagnetic spectrum, our Sun's corona is revealed as a fascinating plasma physics laboratory that still challenges our understanding of the complex interactions between the electrified gases and the pervading magnetic field.
This is a fruitful time for solar coronal physics research with extensive datasets available from current missions. The research project will examine the corona on the finest observational scales available to determine the fundamental nature of dynamic structures due to the release of localised energy episodes, in this case focusing upon the initiation and coronal consequences of solar flares.
The student will be fully part of UCLan's long-standing collaboration with the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center's sounding rocket programme, exploiting the unique datasets arising from these missions. In particular, the project will lay the groundwork for exploitation of observations from the multi-instrument, multi-spacecraft programme Hi-C Flare Campaign that will be taking place in March 2024. This will allow the student to gain experience in EUV imaging analysis across Hi-C, NASA SDO/AIA, ESA Solar Orbiter EUI as well as X-ray imaging from FOXSI and Hinode.
Also, there will be several opportunities to be part of public engagement activities related to UCLan's Solar Physics research which will include the UKRI-STFC National Partnership Project, SUN.