1. Space Plasma Physics Yi-Jiun Su
Space Age started in late 50s - early 60s.
Explorer 1 was the first American satellite lunched in 1958, and by virtue of its discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts.
How do we distinguish between Astrophysics and Space Physics?

3. Auroral light is produced at a height of about 100 km (60 miles) when energetic particles, arriving from space, slam into atoms and molecules of the atmosphere.

4. Saturn Aurora
Jupiter Aurora

5. Data Analysis
region
region J J

6. Simulation result
Model Simulation

7. JOB ? Discovery of an aurora on Mars
President Bush Announces New Vision for Space Exploration Program (Jan. 14, 2004)
Returning to the MOON is an important step for our space program. …………………
With the experience and knowledge gained on the moon, we will then be ready to take the next steps of space exploration: human missions to MARS and to worlds beyond.
Discovery of an aurora on Mars
Bertaux et al., Nature, 534, 790, 2005.

8. Office: Science Hall 107B http://www.uta.edu/physics/research/su
Currently Funded by NASA
Two Pending Proposals
Office: Science Hall 107B