MN-GM-GEOSPH
| Study course: | M.Sc. Physics of Earth and Atmosphere | |||
| Module: | MN-GM-GEOSPH | |||
| Title | Space Physics (Weltraumgeophysik) | |||
| Module Number | Workload | CP | Duration | Semester |
| MN-GM-GEOSPH | 180 h | 6 | 1 Semester | ST |
| Person in Charge | J. Saur |
| Offering Department | Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology, Cologne University |
| Applicability | Course of Study | Category | Semester | ||
| M.Sc. Physics of Earth and Atmosphere | Compulsory for main focus geophysics | 2 | |||
| Aims | Understanding the space environment around the earth, other planetary bodies and the solar wind. Understanding basic properties of space plasmas including their mathematical/physical descriptions. | |||
| Skills | Applications of mathematical/physical tools from statistical mechanics and fluid dynamics as applied to plasmas. Derivations of the plasma descriptions from first principles. | |||
| Content | • Introduction into space plasmas • Single particle dynamics • Kinetic theory (Boltzmann and Vlasow equation) • Derivation of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations • Properties of MHD fluids • Waves in plasmas • Shocks and discontinuities • Instabilities • Magnetospheres, solar wind, aurorae | |||
| Prerequisites | Classical mechanics, electro-magnetism, basics of statistical mechanics | |||
| Lectures | Form, Theme | Max. of Participants | h/week | workload | CP |
Lecture Exercise | 30 | 3 2 | 90 90 | 3 3 |
| Examinations | Form of testing and examination | Graded or not |
| Written examination | Graded | |
| Requirements | Successful participation in exercises | Not graded |
| Miscellaneous | Required literature: Baumjohann und Treumann, Basic Space Plasma Physics, Imperial College Press Additional literature: Chen, Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Plenum Press. Kivelson & Russell, Introduction to Space Physics, Cambridge Univ. Press. Treumann und Baumjohann, Advanced Space Plasma Physics, Imperial College Press. |