Course content

The content of the course is the physics of the interaction between the solar wind and the magnetosphere and upper atmosphere system, with emphasis placed on electrodynamic coupling processes in the active plasma regimes around the pole where the aurora borealis is located. Specific topics are (i) electrodynamic coupling mechanisms, (ii) electric field and current systems, and (iii) energy- and momentum transfer in connection with day- and nightside auroral activities.

Learning outcome

To obtain a good understanding of:

  • physical phenomena in the Earth's upper atmosphere and the
    magnetosphere such as plasma convection, electric currents, particle precipitation and auroral activities as a function of solar activities, conditions in the solar wind, and electrodynamic coupling processes in the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere system.
  • the different categories of space weather (magnetic storms) appearing in association with high-speed streams from coronal holes on the Sun and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
  • corresponding phenomena on the big gas planets Jupiter and Saturn.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

Overlapping courses

10 credits overlap against FYS355.

Teaching

The course is given in the spring term and contains 4 hours of teaching (lectures and exercises) per week.

Examination

Oral exam at the end of the semester. Letter grades.

For detailed information about examinations at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences please see http://www.matnat.uio.no/english/studies/index.html

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
Master
Teaching

If the course is offered, a minimum of four students is required for ordinary lectures to take place. If less than four students participate, an exam will be given, but one should not expect ordinary teaching.

This course will not be taught in spring 2017!

Examination
Every spring

The course will not be taught in spring 2010

Teaching language
Norwegian (English on request)