Centre for Space Physics: Research Projects


Aurora
The Earth's magnetosphere is the region of near Earth space that is threaded by the geomagnetic field and in which ionised gas predominates over the neutral atmosphere; it is a plasma region. The outer boundary of this region at an altitude of some 60,000 km is the turbulent interface with the solar plasma and the inner boundary is the more dense ionosphere 100-500 km above the earth.

The Centre for Space Physics at the University of Newcastle is the major centre for research in experimental magnetospheric physics in Australia and also supports a theoretical sub-group. Research projects include experimental, analytical and theoretical plasma physics.

The Centre for Space Physics formally participates in major coordinated global studies and has close links with companion groups in Alaska, Canada, England, India, Japan, Scandinavia and the USA. International research in Space Physics in an active program supported by global instrumentation and satellite missions.

Research efforts at Newcastle have traditionally focussed on ULF wave studies. This has been broadened into ionosphere physics (Over-the-Horizon radar studies, mathematical modeling), magnetopause dynamics and Birkeland currents associated with the Aurorae and magnetosphere-ionosphere electrical coupling.

Select from the following links for further details of research projects:

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves in the magnetosphere

Remote sensing plasma mass density using ULF waves

ULF wave studies in Antarctica

TIGER SuperDARN radar

TIGER SuperDARN radar Summary Data

Investigating the Aurora using the Iridium Satellites

Modeling ULF waves in the magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere system.

FedSat and the NewMag data

Southern Hemisphere Imaging Riometer Experiment

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