Faculty of Science and Technology

The artificial auroras: Wave-particle interactions without boundaries

by Dr. Mike Kosch from Communications Systems Department

Abstract

High-power high-frequency radio waves cause plasma turbulence in the Earth's ionosphere, which accelerates electrons, causing particle collisions, resulting in artificial auroras. The optical emissions give direct evidence of the electron energy spectrum. This work contributes to understanding solar corona heating, solar wind acceleration and the energisation of magnetospheric particles, which ultimately cause the natural aurora, and to space weather phenomena, which directly contribute to spacecraft failure.

venue: Physics Department