Solar Physics and Plasmas
The Sun is a unique natural astrophysical laboratory, where matter exists in a state of aggregation called plasma: a highly ionized fluid composed of free electrons and ions. Thanks to its proximity, the Sun allows us to directly observe the behavior of a plasma with high spatial resolution, in much greater detail than is possible with other astrophysical objects.
Solar magnetic activity is the primary driver of what is known as Space Weather. Phenomena such as flares and coronal mass ejections shape the interplanetary environment, influencing the Earth's magnetosphere and requiring constant monitoring to ensure the efficiency of our technological infrastructure, from power grids to satellite navigation systems.
The launch of spacecraft such as Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter, which analyze the solar wind and corona in situ, together with next-generation ground-based telescopes such as the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) and the future European Solar Telescope (EST), provides cutting-edge instrumentation capable of performing extremely high-resolution diagnostics of the solar surface and, at the same time, constantly monitoring the heliosphere.
Plasma spectroscopy and Solar atmosphere
Faculty: Alessandra Giunta
Plasma spectroscopy is a powerful diagnostic tool for understanding the extreme physical conditions of the solar atmosphere. Our research focuses on analyzing ultraviolet (UV) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation from the Sun to identify unique spectral "fingerprints" that reveal the temperature, density, and chemical composition of our star's outer layers, using sophisticated atomic models to interpret the observed emission. We explore the physics of the solar atmosphere, from the chromosphere to the corona, using data from the most recent solar space missions and playing a key role in contributing to the understanding of coronal heating and solar wind acceleration.
Solar activity and Space weather
Faculty: Alessandra Giunta
The interaction between plasma and magnetic fields drives solar activity, from sunspots to coronal loops and prominences, forming active regions. In the presence of complex magnetic fields, these regions can become unstable, releasing energy in the form of flares and expelling plasma through coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These events, if directed toward Earth, can cause spectacular phenomena such as the Northern or Southern Lights, as well as severe geomagnetic storms, severely impacting our technologies (power grids, GPS, satellites, and astronauts). Our research focuses on studying the dynamics of these active regions and the variations in the Sun-Earth environment within the framework of Space Weather.
Space and ground-based solar instrumentation
Faculty: Alessandra Giunta
The University of Catania's research in solar and plasma physics is integrated into major international programs for the study of solar activity and space meteorology, using cutting-edge space and ground-based instrumentation.
In the context of space missions, the DFA actively participates in the observation plans and data analysis of the SPICE (Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment) spectrometer aboard the ESA (European Space Agency) Solar Orbiter mission (launched in February 2020 from Cape Canaveral). SPICE plays a fundamental role in determining the direct physical link between the dynamic phenomena of the solar atmosphere and the heliosphere. Specifically, by mapping the chemical composition of the plasma, it allows for the unambiguous correlation of the coronal sources observed remotely with the properties of the solar wind measured in situ by the spacecraft's particle detectors, revealing the origin and acceleration mechanisms of the wind that shapes the entire heliosphere.
On the ground-based infrastructure front, the University of Catania has played a leading role over the years in the development of the European Solar Telescope (EST), the future 4.2-meter telescope dedicated to the high-resolution study of the interaction between plasma and magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere. EST, sponsored by researchers from 18 European countries, including Italy, will be located in the Canary Islands, a site of excellence for astronomical observations.
