ESS 7ESS 7

An Introduction to Space An Introduction to Space WeatherWeather

Fall, 2008Fall, 2008

Raymond J. WalkerRaymond J. Walker

What is Science?• Not a collection of facts!• A way of thinking critically and

quantitatively to solve problems!• An important skill no matter what your path

in life.• Mathematics is the language of science.• We will learn about science by examining

how the environment of space effects the Earth and therefore us.

What are the Goals of ESS 7?

• Introduce you the exciting field of space weather.

• Develop and hone skills in– Critical thinking– Problem solving– Technical communication

• Learn and develop scientific thinking skills.

Class Information• Professor Ray Walker

– 6843 Slichter Hall– rwalker@igpp.ucla.edu

• Office Hours: MWF at 10:30AM-11:30AM or by appointment.

• TA: Megan Cartwright– mcartwri@ucla.edu

mailto:rwalker@igpp.ucla.edu

Class Information Continued• Text book

– “An Introduction to Space Weather” by Mark Moldwin

• Lecture notes – http://www.igpp.ucla.edu/lucid/lessons/ess7_ 2008_fall/Lessons.htm

• Grading:– Homework 25% - Due one week after assigned.

• Due one week after assigned• Late homework worth 50%

– Two midterms 20% each– Final 35%

What is Space Weather?“Space weather” refers to conditions on the Sun and in the

solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere that can influence the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems and can endanger human life or health. Adverse conditions in the space environment can cause disruptions of satellite operations, communications, navigation, and electric power distribution grids, leading to a variety of socioeconomic losses.”

National Space Weather Program Strategic Plan, 1995Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological

Services and Supporting Research.

Why Bother?• Space physics started as curiosity driven

science - to explore the ionosphere, magnetosphere, Sun and heliosphere.

• In the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s we started to use the regions above the neutral atmosphere – communications, weather forecasting, navigation etc.

• As early as the 1960’s humans began to go into space.

The Example of Galaxy IV?• Space is a very hostile environment.• In the 1990’s the commercial satellite

industry boomed – by 2000 making and launching the satellites was a $100X109 per year business.

• Galaxy IV was an operating and profitable communications satellite.– 90% of pager traffic– Several broadcast networks – NPR (radio),

CBS (television)

May 19, 1998• Galaxy IV failed.• It had been in an intense radiation

environment for weeks due to a series of magnetic storms.

• It was killed by radiation effects related to the storms.

A More Down to Earth ExampleArea affected by black out.

SyllabusDate Lecture Assignment9/26 Introduction to Space Weather Read Chapter 19/29 History Read Chapter 2 – HW 110/1 The Sun10/3 The Sun10/6 The Sun Read Chapter 3 – HW 210/8 The Heliosphere10/10 The Heliosphere10/13 The Heliosphere Read Chapter 4 - HW 310/15 Review for First Exam10/17 First Exam

Syllabus

Date Lecture Assignment10/20 Bow Shock and Magnetosheath10/22 Magnetosphere10/24 Magnetosphere10/27 Magnetosphere10/29 Substorms Read Chapter 5 - HW 510/31 Storms11/3 Atmosphere11/5 Ionosphere11/7 Review Second Exam11/10 Second Exam

Syllabus

Date Lecture Assignment11/12 Aurora Read Chapter 6 - HW 611/14 Technology and Space Weather11/17 Technology and Space Weather11/24 Technology and Space WeatherRead Chapter 7 - HW 711/26 Planets11/28 Holiday12/1 Humans in Space12/3 Humans in Space12/5 Review for Final

Slide Number 1What is Science?What are the Goals of ESS 7?Class InformationClass Information ContinuedWhat is Space Weather?Why Bother?The Example of Galaxy IV?May 19, 1998A More Down to Earth ExampleSyllabusSyllabusSyllabus