Erdmagnetfeld und Physik der oberen Atmosphäre: Theorie, Beobachtung und Interpretation - Single View

The Earth’s magnetic field protects us from solar and cosmic particle radiation and has been important for many societal aspects as navigation. It originates to 95% from convections in the outer liquid core. Other sources come from the lithosphere, from electric currents in the upper atmosphere and near Earth space, and from ocean currents. This course gives an overview of our current understanding of the Earth magnetic field, its sources and evolution. The course includes a description of the different contributions to magnetic field measurements as well as the introduction and interpretation of relevant data sets from ground and satellites. Standard mathematical techniques for data analysis will be introduced. This includes relevant methods for global modelling of the Earth’s magnetic field.

Basic physics describing the formation and behaviour of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere are introduced, as well as a basic understanding on how electric currents are created in near Earth Space. Those currents are part of the space weather system, and, during active times, called magnetic storms.

The course includes an excursion to the Geomagnetic Observatory Niemegk.

Students’ scripts from lectures
Books, for example:
G. Backus, Foundations of Geomagnetism, Cambridge University Press, 1996.
G. W. Prölss, Physics oft he Earth’s Space Environment. Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York, 2004.
Michael C. Kelley, The Earth’s Ionosphere. Second edition. Elsevier, 2009.

The teaching mode can be modified in case of a very small group.

Background:

Fundamentals in mathematics and geophysics, such as BSc in Geophysics, Physics, Mathematics, or similar. Fundamentals in Programming.

Addressed groups:

BSc Geosciences/Geophysics, BSc Physics, BSc Mathematics

Oral or written exam (depending on number of participants)

Educational goals:

Basic description of the shape and variation of the geomagnetic field. Name the main sources of the magnetic field amplitudes and its variability. Basic understanding of empirical magnetic field modelling and mathematical methods that are used, interpret magnetic signatures to derive the geometry and strength of their source electric currents. Explain the basics of physics in the upper atmosphere. Introduction into observing the magnetic field.

MSc Geosciences/Geophysics, MSc Physics, MSc Mathematics