Instructions

Goals

Although the research execises are relatively simple, they all deal with open questions in space physics. The exercises are advised by a senior scientist. The exercise consists of three parts:
  1. Data analysis: The advisor will give the student the open question and instructions to get the corresponding data. The advisor can also guide with the data analysis.
  2. Writing a scientific report (no more than 10 pages, font 12pt, normal spacing). The report should include the following sections: Abstract, Introduction, Results, Discussion, and References. The Result section should include a couple of figures from the data analysis. The report can be written either in Finnish or English. If needed, the advisor can also guide the student with the report!
  3. Giving a 15-minute (12-minute talk and 3-minute discussion) scientific presentation at a "final conference" held at the end of the course. There will be a small "ice-breaker" at the conference, with beverages and appetizers. A 12-minute presentation usually means about 6-7 viewgraphs. The presentation should consist of the following sections: Introduction, Results and Discussion. The presentation should be given either in Finnish or in English. If needed, the advisors can also help with the presentation!
Each part will contribute individually to the grading.

Topic: Theme (advisor)

Select one topic and either email the Course Assistant of your choice, or announce it at the Exercise kick-off (March 15, 10-12, at Dynamicum ATK class 1D23c). The exercises are distributed to the students with the first serve principle, so be quick to reserve your favorite theme! Reserved themes are marked with red.
  1. The Sun and the solar wind: Statistics of the coronal mass ejections (Rami Vainio)
  2. The Sun and the solar wind: Modelling magnetic clouds (Rami Vainio)
  3. Solar wind - magnetosphere interaction: Effect of Northward IMF to the magnetic superstroms (Minna Palmroth)
  4. Solar wind - magnetosphere interaction: Effect of magnetospheric history to magnetopause energy transfer (Minna Palmroth)
  5. Solar wind - magnetosphere interaction: Effect of storm sudden commencement to the dayside magnetosphere (Petri Toivanen)
  6. Solar wind - magnetosphere - interaction: Statistics of dayside magnetospheric compressions (Pekka Janhunen)
  7. Inner magnetosphere: Comparing stormtime magnetic measurements to global models (Petri Toivanen)
  8. Ionosphere: Stormtime signatures at the high latitudes (Kirsti Kauristie)
  9. Ionosphere: Interhemispheric asymmetries in auroral electrojet activity (Kirsti Kauristie)
  10. Space weather: Statistics of geomagnetically induced currents (Ari Viljanen)
  11. Space weather: Is the sunspot numer a good indicator for magnetic activity? (Ari Viljanen)
  12. Atmosphere: Interhemispheric variations of ozone loss due to solar storms (Annika Seppälä)
  13. Atmosphere: Can a solar proton event eliminate the ozone layer? (Pekka Verronen)

Some useful routines and other stuff:

  • Find suitable references: ADSabs reference data base (Choose "Physics", edit fields, choose "all refereed articles" from below)
  • Oulu University Space Physics Textbook
  • Matlab: Print current figure into an eps file: print_eps.m
  • Matlab: Save omni2 hourly averaged data to Matlab binary: omni2bin.m
  • Matlab: Read omni2 hourly averaged data in binary format: read_omnibin.m

    • Back to course home page
    Contact course assistant:
    Minna Palmroth_at_fmi.fi (replace _at_ with @)
    Finnish Meteorological Institute, Space Research
    Erik Palmenin aukio 1, (Dynamicum)
    Room 1D11a, 09-1929 4696
    home page