Feature
Magnetospheres. Ionospheres. The solar wind. The aurora. If we can unravel the remaining mysteries around these phenomena of space, we will better understand our planet Earth.
UNDERSTANDING THE BIGGER PICTURE The University’s Space Environment Physics (SEP) Group is working to answer questions that remain about space phenomena. The group, which has been around since the ‘60s, is behind ground-breaking research into how our solar system works – with the promise of plenty more discoveries in years to come.
planets in the solar system. It helps us understand how that part of our environment works.”
The group is interested in space-related research that impacts other areas. A comprehensive understanding of the natural space environment will lead to a better understanding of parts of our own environment.
Dr Dan Whiter, NERC Independent Research Fellow and SEP Group member, specialises in researching the aurora and its effect on our planet. He is behind the Aurora Zoo citizen science project, detailed along with his latest research on page 16.
The SEP Group started in the 1960s as the Upper Atmosphere Research Group, which was set up by the late Pamela Rothwell and subsequently run by Henry Rishbeth, Mike Lockwood and (now Emeritus Professor) Betty Lanchester. Since then, it has evolved to include research into the aurora and magnetospheres. Dr Rob Fear, Associate Professor and Head of the SEP Group since 2013, said: “We look at the natural space environment, from the solar wind down to the upper levels of the atmosphere of Earth and other planets. That’s the region of space that the Earth’s magnetic field exists in, it’s called the magnetosphere and it protects us from the solar wind.” Solar wind First things first – what is the solar wind? “The top level of the sun’s atmosphere is very hot and is constantly boiling off as plasma, which is a very hot gas – this is known as the solar wind,” explained Rob. “This plasma flows through the solar system. Planets that have magnetic fields form bubbles, called magnetospheres, which protect them from this plasma. “In the SEP Group, we’re interested in how the solar wind interacts with the magnetospheres, ionospheres and upper atmospheres of
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The Northern Lights are of particular interest too. “The aurora, or Northern Lights, is the end stage of the whole chain of events,” said Rob.
The fundamental science Key aspects of the SEP Group’s work are driven by understanding the fundamental science, especially around the aurora and how the Earth’s magnetosphere behaves. 1