Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/R010250/1
UNDERSTANDING AND PREDICTING THE GEOEFFECTIVENESS OF SOLAR WIND DRIVERS
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Dr C Forsyth, University College London, Mullard Space Science Laboratory
- Grant held at:
- University College London, Mullard Space Science Laboratory
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Solar & Solar-Terrestrial Phys
- Abstract:
- As a society, we are highly reliant on space-based technologies for our everyday lives. However, the space environment is inherently hazardous to these technologies. The space environment surrounding the Earth is filled with charged particles trapped on the Earth's magnetic field. These particles, known as a plasma, damage spacecraft through surface charging or directly impacting on sensitive electronics. They can also disrupt ground-to-satellite and ground-to-ground communications by impacting on the Earth's upper atmosphere and changing its ability to transmit or reflect different radio signals. The variability of this plasma environment, and the associated effects on technological infrastructure, is a Natural Hazard known as Space Weather. The potential impacts of Space Weather on UK and global infrastructure is now considered sufficiently high risk and sufficiently likely so as to be included in the latest UK Government National Risk Register. Figures quoted to date estimate that "The potential total cost of an extreme Space Weather event is estimated as $2 Trillion in year 1 in the U.S. alone, with a 4-10 year recovery period", although a global in depth socio-economic study has yet to be undertaken. In the UK, the Met Office is responsible for assessing the risk of space weather and for operating the UK's 24/7 forecasting centre for space weather. The Met Office collaborates with national and international partners and academic institutions, and provides an operational environment in which to run space weather models. This enables space weather forecasters to predict the effects of solar activity, which affect conditions at Earth and in the near-Earth environment. Predicting the conditions in the plasma surrounding the Earth is particularly challenging. The conditions in the plasma surrounding the Earth can vary on timescales of minutes to days. Much of this variability is driven by a stream of charged particles and electromagnetic fields constantly flowing from the Sun. This solar wind provides the key source of energy and particles for the near-Earth environment. However, the reactions of plasma around the Earth to a given set of conditions in the solar wind can differ greatly, thus making it impossible to predict the conditions in near-Earth space based solely on the incoming solar wind. An understanding of how this plasma environment reacts for different sets of prevailing conditions is paramount to being able to understand and predict the Space Weather effects around the Earth. The project proposed for this studentship will tackle this deficiency in current space weather modelling capabilities. Working together with academics at UCL and experts at the Met Office, the student will examine the internal and external drivers of space weather, leading to a new model of the space weather conditions surrounding the Earth that are hazardous to spacecraft operations. This project will include both fundamental basic research into understanding all the drivers and controlling factors of the plasma around the Earth and developing the most impactful model for predicting the conditions required by spacecraft operators to minimise their exposure to Space Weather risk.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/R010250/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Doctoral Training
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- NPIF Allocation
This training grant award has a total value of £96,293
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £17,295 | £11,000 | £67,998 |
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