SOLAR PHYSICS

Anno accademico 2018/2019 - 1° anno - Curriculum ASTROPHYSICS
Docente: Francesca ZUCCARELLO
Crediti: 6
SSD: FIS/05 - ASTRONOMIA E ASTROFISICA
Organizzazione didattica: 150 ore d'impegno totale, 108 di studio individuale, 42 di lezione frontale
Semestre:

Obiettivi formativi

The course is aimed at providing the student the basic knowledge and the state of the art of the knowledge in Solar Physics: knowledge of the methods used to investigate the solar interior and the solar atmosphere; knowledge of the mechanisms of interaction between the plasma and localized magnetic fields; concept of magnetic reconnection applied to transient phenomena taking place in the solar atmosphere; knowledge of the mechanisms of interaction between the solar magnetized plasma and the Earth magnetosphere in the framework of Space Weather.


Modalità di svolgimento dell'insegnamento

Teaching is mainly based on lectures. The students will also be invited to attend (on-line) seminars on selected topics of solar physics.

There will also be some practical exercises aimed at learning some techniques used in solar physics, as well as some guided visits to observational infrastructures of INAF - Catania Astrophysical Observatory.


Prerequisiti richiesti

Eletcromagnetism. Maxwell's Laws. Lorentz Force. Nuclear reactions. Theory of interaction between matter and radiation. Magnetic field Induction Law. Frozen magnetic field. Magnetic Reconnection.


Frequenza lezioni

The attendance to lectures is usually mandatory.


Contenuti del corso

The solar interior: core, radiative zone, convective zone. The Standard Solar Model. Nuclear fusion in the solar core. Measure of the solar neutrinos flux. Heliosismology. Oscillations as a diagnostic tool to investigate the inner structure and dynamics of the Sun. The internal solar rotation.

The solar atmosphere:

Photosphere, Chromosphere, Transition Region, Corona. Solar differential rotation.

Telescopes, Instruments and Techniques to observe the Sun:

Techniques of observation of the various layers of the solar atmosphere. Solar telescopes. Spectrographs. Filters. Polarization of light. Spectro-polarimetry. Methods of reduction.

Magnetic structures in the solar atmosphere:

Active regions, sunspots, faculae, prominences, loops. coronal holes. Emergence of magnetic flux in the solar atmosphere. Formation and evolution of active regions. Sunspots: physical and morphologic characteristics. The 11-year cycle of solar activity. The dynamo model. Chromospheric-coronal heating. Solar wind.

Solar eruptive events:

Flares and filament eruptions: observational characteristics and models. Coronal Mass Ejections. Space Weather.


Testi di riferimento

Textbooks:

  • H. M. Antia, A. Bhatnagar, P Ulmschneider : Lectures on Solar Physics, Springer Verlag, 2003
  • M. Aschwanden : Physics of the solar corona: an introduction, Springer, Praxis Pub. Ltd, 2004
  • R. J. Bray, L. E. Cram, C. J. Durrant, R. E. Loughhead : Plasma loops in the solar corona, Cambridge University Press, 1991
  • K. R. Lang : The Sun from Space, Springer, 2000
  • E. Landi Degl'Innocenti : Fisica Solare, Springer Verlag, 2008
  • E. R. Priest : Solar system magnetic fields, Reidel Publ. Co., Dordrecht, 1985
  • E. Tandberg-Hanssen, A. G. Emslie : The physics of solar flares, Cambridge University Press, 1988


Programmazione del corso

 ArgomentiRiferimenti testi
1The solar interiorH. M. Antia, A. Bhatnagar, P Ulmschneider : Lectures on Solar Physics  
2The Solar Standard ModelH. M. Antia, A. Bhatnagar, P Ulmschneider : Lectures on Solar Physics  
3HelioseismologyNotes provided by the teacher 
4The solar atmosphere: physical characteristicsH. M. Antia, A. Bhatnagar, P Ulmschneider : Lectures on Solar Physics  
5Instruments for solar observationsH. M. Antia, A. Bhatnagar, P Ulmschneider : Lectures on Solar Physics  
6Magnetic features in the solar atmosphereE. R. Priest : Solar magnetohydrodynamics  
7Role of the magnetic field in solar phenomenaE. Landi Innocenti: Fisica Solare  
8The 11-year solar cycleH. M. Antia, A. Bhatnagar, P Ulmschneider : Lectures on Solar Physics  
9Physical and morphological properties of solar flares M. Aschwanden : Physics of the solar corona: an introduction  
10Coronal Mass EjectionsK. R. Lang : The Sun from Space  
11Space WeatherK. R. Lang : The Sun from Space  

Verifica dell'apprendimento

Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento

Verification of learning will be carried out through an oral final exam. Through questions related to qualifying points of the various parts of the program, the exam is aimed at ascertaining the overall level of knowledge acquired by the candidate, his/her ability to critically address the topics studied and to correlate the various parts of the program.

The final grade will equally match the knowledge shown in the qualitative and quantitative arguments, the critical view of the topics dealt with during the course and the ability to correlate the various parts of the program.


Esempi di domande e/o esercizi frequenti

  • Internal structure of the Sun
  • Solar Standard Model
  • Helioseismology as a diagnostic tool to investigate the solar interior
  • Instruments for solar observation
  • Phenomena of solar activity and 11-year cycle
  • Sunspots: physical and morphological characteristics
  • Flares: physical and morphological characteristics
  • Solar eruptive phenomena and Space Weather