Syllabus

Module-1 (6 hours)
Physics of Space Plasmas: The Plasma State, Fully Ionized and Magnetized Plasma, Basic Magneto-hydrodynamics and its Application to Space Plasma, Magnetic Diffusion, Reynold’s Number Magnetic Fields.

Module-2 (12 hours)
Sun and its Atmosphere: Physics of the Core, Nuclear Fusion Reaction, Radiative Zone, Convection Zone, Composition Dynamo Helioseismology Photosphere, Chromosphere, Transition Region, Corona, Density & Temperature Structure, Magnetic field and its Structuring, Radiations over the Entire Electromagnetic Spectrum Waves in the Magnetized and Structured Solar Atmosphere Solar flares, Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and Energetic Particles, Solar activity, and Solar wind Solar Radio Emission Scintillation.

Module-3 (6 hours)
Solar System and Planets: Terrestrial planets, Giant planets, Minor planets, Asteroids, Meteorites, Comets, Satellites and Planetary rings Orbit, Mass, Size, Rotation, Shape, Temperature, Surface Composition, Atmosphere, Planetary Magnetism Atmospheric Composition, Atmospheric Dynamics Ionospheres of Planets.

Module-4 (6 hours)
Solar wind interactions with magnetized planets: Solar wind plasma interaction with magnetized and non-magnetized planets, Auroras, Airglow Planetary Magnetospheres, Magnetospheric Dynamics and Properties, Radiation belts, Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling, Reconnection and Formation of Ring current Space Weather, Geomagnetic Storms, Substorms Exo-planets and their Detection Techniques.

Module-5 (6 hours)
Space Exploration and Technology: Space missions Motions in Central fields, Satellite Orbits, the Rocket Principle, Spacecraft interaction with Space Environment Remote sensing, Imaging Satellites, Ground-based techniques, Data Analysis in Space Science, Sustainability in Space.

To impart knowledge on basic concepts of space plasma and its properties.

To impart knowledge on the basics of solar and planetary system to understand application of physical principles to the Sun and the solar system planets.

To impart knowledge on the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetosphere dynamics, and the complex interaction between the Sun and the Space including the Earth.

To impart knowledge on the concepts of space exploration and technology cultivating a research-oriented mindset, encouraging students to explore cutting-edge technologies and contribute to the space science.

At the end of course, students will be able to:
CO1: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of space plasmas and their properties.
CO2: Learn the basic concepts of the space science, solar and planetary physics.
CO3: Apply the basic physical principles for the interpretation of various physical processes occurring on the Sun and in the solar system planets including that on the Earth.
CO4: Understand the concepts related to space exploration and technology.
CO5: Analyze open science problems related to solar, planetary physics and space science missions.

Margaret G. Kivelson and C.T. Russell, Introduction to Space Physics, Cambridge University Press (2005)

Gunter Faure and Teresa M. Mensing, Introduction to Planetary Science, Springer (2007)

M. Stix, The Sun: An Introduction, Springer (2004)

James R. Wertz and Wiley J. Lars, Space Mission Analysis and Design, Microcosm (1992)