Earth's atmospheric and space environment

Introduction to atmospheric physics

Denpending on the number of scheduled lessons

Atmosphere of the Earth

    Chapter I: Atmospheric structure

-Hydrostatic equilibrium
-Thermal structure
-Convection, radiation, conduction

    Chapter II: Interactions of Solar radiation with the atmosphere

-Solar radiation spectrum
-Variability of the Sun's emissions
-Radiative transfer equation and applications Energy balance and climate
-Greenhouse effect

    Chapter III: Photochemical processes and composition

-Photochemical action of radiation Photochemistry of the atmosphere Ozone: production and destruction

    Chapter IV: Atmospheric transport

-General equations of the atmospheric structure Molecular and turbulent vertical diffusion

    Chapter V: The Ionosphere

-Formation and structure Chemical composition Neutrality and electric field

Space environment

Space Environment (Introduction to Space Weather)

Chapter I : The solar wind

Chapter II : The geomagnetic field

Chapter III : The magnetosphere

Chapter IV : Charged particles motions

Chapter V : Storms and aurorae

 

Introduction to atmospheric physics

This course is meant to provide students with basic concepts of atmospheric physiccs and space environment. The common thread of the course is the vertical thermal profile of Earth's atmosphere. At the end of the course, students should be able to explain the overal shape of this thermal profile and to link it with the chemical composition and the energy balance of the atmosphere. They will learn how atmosphere evolves in time and space.

This course contributes to the following (standard) learning outcomes:

• Master the concepts, principles and laws of the basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing, etc.).
• Demonstrate autonomy in their learning. In particular, be able to appropriate and synthesise scientific and technical information from a variety of sources (ex-cathedra presentations, literature, references, technical manuals and documentation, online resources, etc.).
• Formalise, model and conceptualise a scientific or technical problem related to or inspired by a complex real-life situation in a rigorous language, for example using mathematical or computer language, in order to obtain results. Be capable of abstraction.
• Analyse hypotheses and results critically and compare them with practical reality, taking account of uncertainties.
• Apply advanced aeronautical and/or space technology techniques to the fields of propulsion and turbomachinery, theoretical and experimental aerodynamics, flight mechanics, aerospace structures, satellite engineering, atmospheric physics and space instrumentation.
• Work independently.
• Present/defend scientific or technical results orally, using codes and means of communication appropriate to the audience and the context of the communication.

Space environment

This course is meant to provide students with basic concepts space environment. At the end of the course, students will have acquired the basics of Earth's magnetic environment, of the radiation belts and the cosmic rays, of solar activity and its impact on space environment. With this knowledge, it will be possible to understand and to take into account the constraints imparted by space environment on Earth orbit and interplanetary space missions, particularly at the level of the design of space instruments.


This course contributes to the following (standard) learning outcomes:

• Master the concepts, principles and laws of the basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing, etc.).
• Demonstrate autonomy in their learning. In particular, be able to appropriate and synthesise scientific and technical information from a variety of sources (ex-cathedra presentations, literature, references, technical manuals and documentation, online resources, etc.).
• Formalise, model and conceptualise a scientific or technical problem related to or inspired by a complex real-life situation in a rigorous language, for example using mathematical or computer language, in order to obtain results. Be capable of abstraction.
• Analyse hypotheses and results critically and compare them with practical reality, taking account of uncertainties.
• Apply advanced aeronautical and/or space technology techniques to the fields of propulsion and turbomachinery, theoretical and experimental aerodynamics, flight mechanics, aerospace structures, satellite engineering, atmospheric physics and space instrumentation.
• Work independently.
• Present/defend scientific or technical results orally, using codes and means of communication appropriate to the audience and the context of the communication.

Introduction to atmospheric physics

Good knowledge of general physics and its mathematical tools.

Space environment

Good knowledge of general physics and its mathematical tools.

It is highly recommended to first take the course "Atmosphere of the Earth" (SPAT0048 partim 1, or SPAT0055).

Introduction to atmospheric physics

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Mainly face-to-face, powerpoint presentations.
A recorded version (podcasts MP4) of all lectures is available on Vimeo (links provided).

Space environment

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Mainly face-to-face, powerpoint presentations.
A recorded version (podcasts MP4) of all lectures is available on Vimeo (links provided).

Introduction to atmospheric physics

Printed course notes (facultative) are available in french only.
Updated Powepoint presentations may be downloaded from the eCampus website.

Space environment

Updated Powepoint presentations may be downloaded from the eCampus website.

Reference book (optional):

"Understanding Space Weather and the Physics Behind It" D.J. Knipp, 2011, McGraw-Hill, ISBN-13: 978-0-07-340890-3

Introduction to atmospheric physics

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam


Additional information:

The exams are mainly meant to test the ability of the students to understand the physics behind the equations.These exams also appraise the overall knowledge of the course and the ability to link the different chapters.

Oral exam on the different lessons. A list of questions will be distributed before the exams.

In case of remote oral examination, use of MS Teams or Skype (backup solution).

Space environment

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam


Additional information:

The exams are mainly meant to test the ability of the students to understand the physics behind the equations.These exams also appraise the overall knowledge of the course and the ability to link the different chapters.

In case of remote oral examination, use of MS Teams or Skype (backup solution).

Introduction to atmospheric physics

It is highly recommended to attend the face-to-face classes.

There may be some slight differences between the actual face-to-face lessons and the corresponding videos.

Space environment

It is highly recommended to attend the face-to-face classes.

There may be some slight differences between the actual face-to-face lessons and the corresponding videos.

Introduction to atmospheric physics

Prof Denis Grodent d.grodent@uliege.be
Laboratory for Planeatary and Atmospheric Physics
Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research (STAR) Institute

Universite´ de Lie`ge
Institut d'Astrophysique et de Ge´ophysique Quartier AGORA (B5c)
Alle´e du Six Aou^t, 19C
B-4000 Lie`ge, Belgium

phone: +32 4 366 9773

Office: B5c (Astrophysique et Géophysique) - 0/5

Space environment

Prof Denis Grodent d.grodent@uliege.be
Laboratory for Planeatary and Atmospheric Physics
Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research (STAR) Institute

Universite´ de Lie`ge
Institut d'Astrophysique et de Ge´ophysique Quartier AGORA (B5c)
Alle´e du Six Aou^t, 19C
B-4000 Lie`ge, Belgium

phone: +32 4 366 9773

Office: B5c (Astrophysique et Géophysique) - 0/5