Download 261_Syllabus_09S_expanded

ESS 261 – Topics in Magnetospheric Plasma Physics
M(W) 9:30am-12 noon; Geology 4677
Each lecture will consist of instruction and in-class computer training
Instructor:
Vassilis Angelopoulos (x 4-7090, office: Geology 2712, Office Hours Tue 1-3pm
Date
3/30
4/6
Topic
Organization, Introduction to Methods and Tools
 Overview
 Data formats (CDF, Ascii, Flatfiles) and tools
 Error analysis
 Probability distributions
 Binning and histograms
 Superposed Epoch, Medians, Quartiles
 Introduction to Fortran, IDL
Time Series Analysis, Access to Datasets
 Reprocessing, Calculating Quantities
o Time formats, Spike and Gap Removal
o Resampling, Fitting, Detrending
o Running average and decimation
o Interpolation on common time format
o Computing of higher order quantities
 Correlations and cross-correlations
 Access to datasets and models:
o SPDF, NSSDC, PDS, Distributed datasets
 Time series analysis and correlations using IDL
Homework #1, Due next class
4/13
Coordinate systems, Magnetospheric Models
 Geophysical coordinate systems
o GSM, GSE, SM, MAG, GEO, ECI, GEI
o GLAT/LON, MLT/MLAT, CGMLAT/LON
 Time formats
o UT and Leap seconds, J2000, EME2000
 Spinning and despun spacecraft coordinate systems
o Local Instrument System, Spacecraft Geometric,
Spacecraft Principal Axis, Spacecraft Despun Systems
 Magnetospheric models
o Dipole, IGRF and Magnetic mapping
o Tsyganenko T89, T91, T96 and mapping
 FORTRAN/IDL access/use of models and routines
Homework #2, Due next class
4/20
Waves and Discontinuities
 Fourier Series and Wavelet Analysis
 Wave Polarization, Ellipticity
 Minimum Variance Analysis


Rankine-Hygoniot Relations, Coplanarity
Shock Normal, Shock Propagation Speed
Homework #3, Due next class
4/28
Access and use of Magnetic Field Data
 Operation Principles
 Calibration and Remnant Noise Sources
 Despinning: Ground and On-Board
 Alias, Filtering
 Amplitude/Phase Frequency Response, Matching
 Access and Use of Data from Various Regions
o Solar Wind, Magnetosphere (Earth, Jupiter),
Ionosphere, Ground
Homework #4, Due next class
5/4
Access and use of Electric Field Data
 Operation Principles
 Offsets and Noise Sources
 Despinning: Ground and On-Board
 Amplitude/Phase Frequency Response
 Data Products (Voltages, Spacecraft Potential, Efield)
 Access, Use and Pitfalls of Data Analysis in Various Regions
o Solar Wind, Magnetosphere, Plasmasphere
Homework #5, Due next class
5/11
Distribution Functions and Low Energy Particles
 Particle Distribution Functions and Moments
 From Counts/Second to Distribution Functions
 Geometric Factor, Response Function
 Decommutation, Level 0 Processing,
Angle-Energy Maps and Instrument Modes
 Sources of Background Noise, Aliasing
and Other Spurious Signals
 Viewing and Analysis of Distribution Functions
 Background Removal, Moment Computation
 Access, Use and Pitfalls of Analysis in:
Solar Wind, Magnetosphere, Plasmasphere
Homework #6, Due next class
5/18
Boundary Remote Sensing and Energetic Particles
 Energetic Particle Instruments: Operation and Data Products
 Geometric Factor, Response Function at Low and High Energies
 Contamination: Sunlight, Earth-glow, Neutrals, Electronic Noise,
Background Radiation; Detector Capacitance and Leakage Current.
 Data Viewing, Removal of Noise and Analysis of Distribution Functions
 Access, Use and Pitfalls of Analysis in Various Regions:
Solar Wind, Magnetosphere, Radiation Belts and Ring Current
 Remote Sensing of Particle Gradients: Magnetopause, Inner
Magnetosphere and Low Frequency Waves
Homework #7, Due next class
5/25
5/28
6/1
6/1
Memorial Day
(no class, makeup below)
Access and use of Auroral Imaging Data
 Auroral Optical Properties and Operations Principles of Optical Detectors
 Imaging from Space Platforms and from the Ground
 Tomographic Reconstruction
 Altitude Emission Profile and Precipitating Electron Energy
 Analysis Tools for Image Processing
o Mosaics: Scaling, Overlapping and Movies
o Time-Series Analysis of Spatially Integrated Light Intensity
 Examples of Auroral Image Processing from Space, Ground
Multi-Instrument, Multi-Spacecraft Techniques
 MHD Electric Field from Particle Velocity, Particle Currents
 Total Density Computation from Various Sources
 Total Pressure and Comparison with Expected Magnetopause Pressure
 Time-delay Analysis for Boundary/Wave Propagation
 Inter-spacecraft Calibration of Particles and Fields Data
 Vorticity and Current from Multiple Spacecraft
Take Home Exam due Monday 6/8