EE249: Introduction to the Space Environment

The various tools used to probe the space environment electromagnetically are discussed:

• transmitters
• antennas
• receivers
• sensors
• radars
• displays

as are the properties of the near-earth environment itself:

• the troposphere
• the ionosphere
• the magnetosphere, and
• interplanetary space.

Also studied are:

• the important role of the sun, and the effects produced by changes in solar activity
• geoelectric and geomagnetic fields
• charged particle motion, and trapped particles (Van Allen radiation)
• the aurora

The class will consider the application of the various probing tools to current experimental programs in the near-earth space environment, and the planning and execution of experiments in space.

Prerequisites: familiarity with electromagnetics at the level of EE142 and senior or graduate standing.

3 units, Autumn (Fraser-Smith) alternate years. Usually would be given 2009-2010 (Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1:15 pm) but cancelled by the Department as an economy measure.

Introduction to the Space Environment, by Thomas F. Tascione, 2nd Edition, Krieger Publishing, Florida, 1994.

Supplementary Reading:

The Solar-Terrestrial Environment, by J. K. Hargreaves, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England, 1992.

There are a number of interesting and useful Web pages that describe the space environment near the earth in some detail and which have high quality pictures. For example:

• The Exploration of the Earth's Magnetosphere, maintained by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
• Space Weather, maintained by Tony Phillips.
• The Sun and Solar Wind, maintained by Bill Arnett.

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