Astronomy from space
Learning objectives
Referring to knowledge
Receive advanced academic training in the fields of Astronomy from spacecraft and of Space Weather by the study of selected areas in these fields. These subjectes provide the student with basic and updated knowledge to properly prepare them for a subsequent research career in the field. For those who do not seek a career in research, the knowledge acquired in these subjects will contribute in boosting their skills and experience.
To understand the basic concepts involved in astrophysical measurements from space and their limitations. Review the conditions and requirements needed in the design of a space mission via the description and anlysis of several scientific missions of the European Space Agency (ESA) and of the Unitated States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
To understand the basic concepts in the fields of Heliophysics, and in particular of the Solar-Terrestrial relations, including: solar activity, interplanetary space, and the Earth’s magnetosphere. To understand the basic concepts of Space Weather, its effects on the geospace and on human activity in the short term, and its applications.
Teaching blocks
1. Space Based Astronomy
1.1. Elements of a mission
Orbit. Launch windows. Payload. Subsystems and Launchers.
1.2. Space mission analysis and design
Development phases. Analysis. Selection and implementation. The main agencies: ESA and NASA. ESA’s Cosmic Vision 2015−2025
1.3. Astronomy from the space
Scientific goals. Missions: Types and payloads. Data bases and explotation. Future missions (CHEOPS, Juice, Euclid, Plato, etc.).
2. Space Weather
2.1. Space Weather
Definition and goals. Effects of solar storms on spacecraft and Earth. Extreme stormy events. Prediction. Radiation risks. The Space Weather programme of ESA/EU and the US National Space Weather programme.
2.2. Heliophysics
a) Solar wind plasma and interplanetary magnetic field. The Earth’s magnetosphere and magnetospheric storms.
b) Solar activity: flares and coronal mass ejections. The solar activity cycle.
c) Solar energetic particle events.
2.3. Heliophysics and space weather missions
Study of different scientific missions: Ulysses, SOHO, ACE, STEREO, SDO, Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter. Data and in-situ instrumentation.
Teaching methods and general organization
Lecturers explain the topics of the programme with the support of electronic material and internet resources, among others. Students are given the material presented in each lecture in electronic format mainly via the Campus Virtual. Personal assignments: the student will deepen in some of the aspects of the subjects explained, prepare a report to be submitted and/or an oral presentation to prove the comprehension of the knowledge acquired. It is intended that these assignments have and important practical component, based as much as possible in actual space missions.
Genre perspective will be taken into account in the development and activities of this subject, as much as possible.
The degree of attendance and assessment activities may be modified in the event of a health crisis, like it was during COVID-19. If this is the case, any changes will be informed to the students in due course through the usual channels.
Official assessment of learning outcomes
The evaluation criteria are as follows:
The understanding of the fundamental concepts will be evaluated through the student’s personal work. Students will have elaborated different assignments consisting on short reports and/or oral presentations in English. Pro-active participation in the lecture sessions will be considered. In those cases where there is a reasonable doubt about the student’s gained knowledge, he/she will take a written or oral examination. The corresponding percentages are:
Brief written assignments: 30%
Preparation and oral presentations of given topics: 50%
Participation: 20%
For the re-evaluation there will be an oral presentation and a test-type exam. There is no need to repeat the brief written assignment if it was evaluated positively.
Examination-based assessment
Oral presentation of a previously agreed topic: 60%
Exam: 40% (the same of the oral presentation).
Reading and study resources
Check availability in Cercabib
Book
Spacecraft systems engineering. 4th ed. Chichester ; New York : Wiley, 2011 Enllaç
Space mission analysis and design., Wiley J. Larson & James R. Wertz, Kluwer Academic, 1999 Enllaç
Orbital Motion, A. E. Roy, 2nd ed., Ed. Hilger, 1982 Enllaç
Space physics : an introduction to plasmas and particles in the heliosphere and magnetospheres, Kallenrode, May-Britt, 3rd ed. Berlin : Springer, 2004 Enllaç
Introduction to space physics. Eds. Kivelson and Russel, Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1995 Enllaç
Solar Particle Radiation Storms Forecasting and Analysis, Eds. Malandraki, O.E. & Crosby, N.B., Astrophysics and Space Science Library, 444, Springer, 2018, ISBN 978-3-319-60051-2 (eBook)
Introduction to particle radiation from the Sun in Chapters 1 to 6. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-60051-2
Physics of Space Storms. From the Solar Surface to the Earth. H. E. J. Koskinen (Springer Praxis, 2011). ISBN 978-3-6-00310-3
Heliophysics. Space Storms and radiation: causes and effects. C.J. Schrijver and G.L. Siscoe. Cambridge Univeristy Press, 2010. Enllaç
Electronic text
Space radiation hazards and the vision for space exploration Enllaç
More information at: http://grad.ub.edu/grad3/plae/AccesInformePDInfes?curs=2023&assig=568434&ens=M0D0B&recurs=pladocent&n2=1&idioma=ENG
Presential
FALSE
Astronomy from space
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. The statements made herein do not necessarily have the consent or agreement of the ASTRAIOS Consortium. These represent the opinion and findings of the author(s).
