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Upper Atmosphere Physics

Upper Atmosphere Physics. Main task Upper atmospheres (and magnetospheres) in the context of solar/stellar wind plasma and radiation interaction Main research topics Upper atmosphere response to solar/stellar activity

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Upper Atmosphere Physics

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  1. Upper Atmosphere Physics Main task • Upper atmospheres (and magnetospheres) in the context of solar/stellar wind plasma and radiation interaction Main research topics • Upper atmosphere response to solar/stellar activity • Monte Carlo & test-particle upper atmosphere and SW-plasma interaction codes → atmosphere evolution, exoplanets • Exoplanet Magnetospheres • Structure, topology, and dynamics of exoplanetary magnetospheres Refereed publications (since Jan 2013) • Total: 15 (first author: 11) Educational activities (since Jan 2013) • PhD thesis: 1; Master theses: 2 • Lecturing at University of Graz IWF/ÖAW

  2. Who are we? • Lead:Helmut Lammer Members • Staff: O. Archipov, M. L. Khodachenko, K. G. Kislyakova, H.I.M. Lichtenegger, M. Pfleger, J. Sasunov • Students: PhD: P. Odert; Master: I. Juvan, S.-C. Schiefer Cooperation within IWF • Atmosphere response to solar activity (Baur et al.) • Solar/stellar winds/radio signals & exoplanets (Fischer et al.) • Solar wind and magnetospheric interaction studies (Nakamura et al.) • Heliospheric physics (Narita et al.) • CoRoT/Cheops: exoplanet characterization (Steller et al.) Key external collaboration • Austria: IfA, Univ. Vienna; Germany: DLR; Sweden: IRF; Finland: FMI; Belgium: University of Leuven; Spain: Univ. de les IllesBalears; Russia: ICM/RAS Krasnoyarsk, INASAN Moscow, Inst. of Laser Phys./RAS, Moscow State Univ. IWF/ÖAW

  3. Upper Atmosphere Physics Extreme solar events → young Sun/stars • Thermosphere density response GRACE • Correlation with solar proxies • Upper atmosphere impact of super-flares Photochemical processes → suprathermal “hot” atoms (H, O, C, N) • Monte Carlo modeling of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) and exosphere formation and escape • Model validation: VEX, MEX, Earth obs. [Grölleret al., PSS, 2014] IWF/ÖAW

  4. Surface Sputtering / Stellar Dynamics Surface sputtering → airless bodies • Plasma surface interaction • Particle release from surfaces due to solar radiation and plasma • Precursor studies: BepiColombo, JUICE Kepler stars photometry→ deep mixing • Variation of 513 stellar LC spectral harmonics • Time scale 1 of the first rotationalharmonic ~ theoretical turnover time MLT of deep mixing • Remote probing of stellar deep convection Callisto: sputtered O exosphere 1 MLT IWF/ÖAW IWF/ÖAW 4

  5. Atmosphere Evolution • Escape of nebula-based or degassed protoatmospheres from early Solar System planets and “super-Earths” (exoplanets) • Hydro-code development • ThermosphereEUV heating • Atmosphereexpansion • Thermal escape ofH, O, C • Dragging of O, C, N, CO2, etc. • Effect on density,radius-mass [Lammer et al., MNRAS, 2014] [Rauer et al., Exp. Astron., 2014] Mars-size planetary embryo at 1 AU IWF/ÖAW

  6. Exoplanet Environments • Characterization of exoplanet exosphere-magnetosphere environments by UV observations and hydrogen cloud, stellar radiation and plasma interaction modeling • Hydrogen coronaemodeling • ENA heatingfeedback studies • Plasma interaction & ion escape • Space weathereffect studies • HST UV spectrareproduction [Kislyakova et al., A&A, 2014] [Kislyakova et al., Astrobiol., 2013] IWF/ÖAW

  7. Exoplanet Magnetospheres • MHD simulations of the flow-driven magnetodisk formation • No or weak rotation case: • Stellar XUV  • atm. heating & expansion • deformation of dipole field • inner region locked plasma • thin disk region • plasma follows field lines • Experimental confirmation of the flow-driven magnetodisk formation • typical topology of magnetic field • electric current sheet in the equatorial plane IWF/ÖAW

  8. Future Plans: 2015-2018 • Solar/stellar plasma dynamics: Solar Orbiter • Tachocline, photosphere, chromosphere, corona • Upper atmosphere solar activity response: MEX, VEX, LEOs, etc. • Hot C, O, N & H atom escape from Venus, Earth, Mars, exoplanets • Model validation on solar event (CMEs) studies at Earth’s thermosphere • Solar activity & plasma response on Mercury’s and Jovian satellite surfaces: BepiColombo, JUICE • EUV, CME & plasma related particle release and exosphere formation • Origin & evolution of atmospheres, exoplanets: CoRoT, CHEOPS • Protoatmosphere escape studies (sub- to super-Earths) • Upper atmosphere structure, radiation & particle heating • Stellar plasma electrodynamics/exoplanetandexo-magnetosphere hypotheses tests via Lyman-αdiagnostic IWF/ÖAW

  9. Thank you IWF/ÖAW

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