1. Solar and Heliospheric Physics
CSI 769 / ASTR Spring Jie Zhang

2. What Physics? Plasma Physics MHD (Magnetohydrodynamics) Physics
Magnetism
Magnetic Reconnection
Particle Acceleration
Plasma physics: plasma beta, coronal loops
B generation, distribution and energy storage
Rec: rapid energy release
Particle Acceleration
All these are fundamental processes in our universe: magnetosphere, heliosphere, solar atmosphere, galaxy.
Important in laboratory toward solving energy problem

3. The Cosmological Context
We are located in the middle of the
Milky Way Galaxy
28,000 light years
from the center
One of 200 billion
stars in our Galaxy

4. The Sun: an Ordinary Star
An ordinary main sequence star
5 billion years old
5 billion years more to go

5. Local Interstellar space
Solar wind creates a big teardrop-shaped heliosphere around the solar system, by interacting with the interstellar wind

6. Local Interplanetary Space
The Earth
3rd planet from the Sun
1 AU = 150 million km
Travel time:
By light --
8 minutes
By Solar Wind-- ~ 100 hrs

7. What Practical Usage?
"Space weather describes the conditions in space that affect Earth and its technological systems. Our space weather is a consequence of the behavior of the sun, the nature of Earth's magnetic field, and our location in the solar system”
----National Academy of Science, 1997

8. Space Weather: the Process
It starts from an eruption from the Sun.
Prediction depends on how it propagates

9. Space Weather: effects
Aurora; Geomagnetic Storm
From Space

10. Space Weather: effects
An adverse effect
Power failure due to
March 1989 storm
Damaged transformer

11. Space Weather: effects
On Human Space Exploration
On crew and passengers of polar-route airplanes

12. Space Weather: effects
On Satellite Operation

13. Space Weather: effects
On Communication and Navigation

14. Space Weather: the Systems

15. Components of Sun-Earth
The Source of the Energy?
Planet
Magnetic energy through magnetic field generated by solar dynamo, which has 11-year solar cycle
CME, flares. Particles (relativisit)
Solar Cycle
Components of Sun-Earth

16. Components of Sun-Earth
Storage of Energy?
Planet
Energy stored and released in magnetic field
CME, flares. Particles (relativisit)
Components of Sun-Earth

17. Components of Sun-Earth
Release of Energy and the driver?
Planet
Coronal mass ejections
CME, flares. Particles (relativisit)
Components of Sun-Earth

18. Components of Sun-Earth
Heliosphere: solar wind
Planet
Spiral solar wind magnetic field: radial motion of solar wind combined with Sun’s rotation
CME propagation, ICME
Sprinkler Analogy
Components of Sun-Earth

19. Components of Sun-Earth
Magnetosphere
Planet
A comet-shaped region around the Earth
CME, flares. Particles (relativisit)
Components of Sun-Earth

20. Components of Sun-Earth
Magnetosphere
Planet
Electric Currents in Magneto-
sphere
CME, flares. Particles (relativisit)
Components of Sun-Earth

21. Components of Sun-Earth
Magnetosphere
Planet
Energetic particles in Van Allen
radiation belt
CME, flares. Particles (relativisit)
Components of Sun-Earth

22. Components of Sun-Earth
Ionosphere
Planet
CME, flares. Particles (relativisit)
Density fluctuation affects radio wave reflection and transmission
Components of Sun-Earth

23. Components of Sun-Earth
Neutral Upper Atmosphere
Planet
CME, flares. Particles (relativisit)
It is coupled with ionosphere
Components of Sun-Earth

24. Re-focus on Physics Energy Storage: magnetism
Energy Release: magnetic reconnection
Energy Transportation
Plasma physics: plasma beta, coronal loops
B generation, distribution and energy storage
Rec: rapid energy release
Particle Acceleration
All these are fundamental processes in our universe: magnetosphere, heliosphere, solar atmosphere, galaxy.
Important in laboratory toward solving energy problem

25. The End