SOLAR PHYSICS

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 its atmosphere; knowledge of the mechanisms of interaction between a 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 magnetized plasma and the Earth magnetosphere in the framework of Space Weather.

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

The attendance to lectures is usually mandatory.

The solar interior: nucleus, radiative zone, convective zone. The solar atmosphere: photosphere, chromosphere, transition region, corona. Solar differential rotation. Magnetic structures in the solar atmosphere: active regions, sunspots, faculae, prominences, loops. coronal holes. Solar wind. Techniques of observation of the various layers of the solar atmosphere. Solar telescopes. Spectrographs. Filters. Methods of reduction. Standard solar model. Reactions of nuclear fusion. Measure of the solar neutrinos flux. Heliosismology. Oscillations as a diagnostic tool for the inner structure and dynamics of the Sun. Emergence of magnetic flux in the solar atmosphere. Formation of the active regions. Sunspots: physical and morphologic characteristics. The 11-year cycle of solar activity. The dynamo model. Chromospheric-coronal heating. Flares: observational characteristics. Coronal Mass Ejections. Space Weather.

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

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.

• Internal structure of the Sun
• Helioseismology as a diagnostic tool to investigate the solar interior
• Solar Standard Model
• 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