METEO 465 Kane SP2015

SPACE WEATHER Instructor: Tim Kane MWF 1:25-2:15pm 101 Walker

SPACE WEATHER

Spring 2015
1:25-2:15 MWF
101 Walker

Topics:

This course will address the phenomenon of Space Weather, using a top to bottom system approach (sun/space /magnetosphere/ionosphere/atmosphere/earth). Your introduction to space physics will progress from a basic science pursuit to one with practical/operational implications (e.g., direct electromagnetic impacts on society (including coupling to the lower  atmosphere), operational space and satellite drag issues, GPS scintillation, communication impacts, near space, etc). The course will conclude by discussing the emergence of Space Weather as a predictive science.

Instructor:

Tim Kane, 213 EEE, 3-8727,

Office Hours:

Wed. 2:30-3:30 in 528 Walker, Th. 1:00-2:00 in 213 EEE

Prerequisites:

Background in electromagnetics, atmospheric science, etc. (or consent of instructor).

Text:

“An Introduction to Space Weather” by M. Moldwin, 2008.
(http://www.cambridge.org/us/knowledge/isbn/item1164749/?site_locale=en_US)

Supplemental Texts:

“The Sun, the Earth, and Near-Earth Space: A Guide to the Sun-Earth System” by J. Eddy, 2009.
(http://ilwsonline.org/ilws_publications.htm)
“Space Weather- Physics and Effects” by Bothmer and Daglis, 2007.
(http://link.springer.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/book/10.1007/978-3-540-34578-7/page/1)
“Space Weather and Coronal Mass Ejections” by T. Howard, 2014.
(http://link.springer.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/book/10.1007%2F978-1-4614-7975-8)
“Understanding Space Weather and the Physics Behind it” by D. Knipp, 2011.
(this one is good for more expansive reading; available for perusal at office hours )

Additional Reading:

“The Effects of Solar Variability on Earth's Climate: A Workshop Report”, NRC, 2012.
(http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13519)
“Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society” , NRC, 2013.
(http://www.nap.edu/catalog/13060/solar-and-space-physics-a-science-for-a-technological-society)
“Severe Space Weather Events—Understanding Societal and Economic Impacts Workshop Report”, NAS 2008.
(http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12507)
…and other Class Handouts, Journal Articles, etc! (check the ANGEL site!)

Course Requirements and Grading Policy:

  • Homework 60%: Homework is given weekly, and is considered an important part of the class. Students are encouraged to work together on the problems, though each student is responsible for handing in an individual homework.
  • Quizes (1 in-class and 1 final at 15% each): 30%:The purpose of the exams is to test the individual student’s progress in the class.
  • Class participation: Including active discussions, etc. 10%

DATE / LECTURES / READING

  1. Mon. Jan. 12 / Space Weather Overview/ M: Ch. 1
  2. Wed. Jan. 14 / E: pp. 1-12
  3. Fri. Jan 16 / B&D: pp. 1-4 (K: Ch. 1)
  4. Mon. Jan. 19 / NO CLASS
  5. Wed. Jan. 21 / Electromagnetics / Notes (K: Ch. 2 and Ch.4)
  6. Fri. Jan. 23
  7. Mon. Jan. 26 / Plasma Stuff
  8. Wed. Jan. 28 / Sensing
  9. Fri. Jan. 30 / (K: Ch. 6)
  10. Mon. Feb. 2 / The Sun / M: Ch. 2 E: pp. 13-44
  11. Wed. Feb. 4 / B&D: pp. 31-102
  12. Fri. Feb. 6 / (K: Ch. 1 and Ch.9)
  13. Mon. Feb. 9 / The Heliosphere / M: Ch. 3 E: pp. 45-70
  14. Wed. Feb.11 / Solar Wind, Meteors, Dust, etc./ B&D: pp. 103-130
  15. Fri. Feb. 13 / (K: Ch. 5 and Ch. 10)
  16. Mon. Feb. 16 / The Magnetosphere / M: Ch. 4
  17. Wed. Feb. 18 / Near Earth Environment, Debris, etc. / E: pp. 71-98
  18. Fri. Feb. 20 / (K: Ch. 6 and Ch. 11)
  19. Mon. Feb. 23 / The Upper Atmosphere / M: Ch. 5
  20. Wed. Feb. 25 / E: pp. 99-138
  21. Fri. Feb. 27 / B&D: pp. 203-224
  22. Mon. Mar. 2 / The Upper Atmosphere / E: pp. 139-164
  23. Wed. Mar. 4 / Middle too! /(K: Ch. 7 and Ch. 12)
  24. Fri. Mar. 6 / QUIZ
  25. Mon. Mar. 16 / Technical Impacts / M: Ch. 6
  26. Wed. Mar. 18 / E: pp. 165-208
  27. Fri. Mar. 20 / NRC Report (2012)
  28. Mon. Mar. 23 / Technical Impacts, yet more! / B&D: pp. 247-402
  29. Wed. Mar. 25 / military too / 5 Chapters
  30. Fri. Mar. 27 / (K: Ch. 13 and Ch. 14)
  31. Mon. Mar. 30 / Living in Space & other phenomena / M: Ch. 7 and Ch. 8
  32. Wed. Apr. 1 / including biological / B&D: pp. 131-171
  33. Fri. Apr. 3
  34. Mon. Apr. 6 / Weather and Climate Effects E: pp. 209-234
  35. Wed. Apr. 8 / B&D: pp. 225-245
  36. Fri. Apr. 10 / NRC Report (2012)
  37. Mon. Apr. 13 / Societal and Economic Impacts
  38. Wed. Apr. 15
  39. Fri. Apr. 17
  40. Mon. Apr.20 / Modeling / Forecasting / E: 235-254
  41. Wed. Apr. 22 / B&D: pp. 5-30 and pp. 403-425
  42. Fri. Apr. 24
  43. Mon. Apr. 27 / Forecasting / Mitigation (?)
  44. Wed. Apr. 29
  45. Fri. May 1

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in this course, contact the Office for Disability Services (ODS) at 814-863-1807 (V/TTY). For further info regarding ODS, please visit the Office for Disability Services Web site at http://equity.psu.edu/ods/ . In order to receive consideration for course accommodations, you must contact ODS and provide documentation (see the documentation guidelines at http://equity.psu.edu/ods/guidelines/documentation-guidelines). If the documentation supports the need for academic adjustments, ODS will provide a letter identifying appropriate academic adjustments. Share this letter and discuss the adjustments with your instructor as early in the course as possible. You must contact ODS and request academic adjustment letters at the beginning of each semester.