PAP321 Solar Physics

1. Course title

Auringon fysiikka
Solfysik
Solar Physics

2. Course code

PAP321

Aikaisemmat leikkaavat opintojaksot 53743 Auringon fysiikka, 5 op

3. Course status: compulsory or optional

-Which degree programme is responsible for the course?
Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences

-Which module does the course belong to?
PAP300 Advanced Studies in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences (optional for Study Track in Astrophysical Sciences)

-Is the course available to students from other degree programmes?
Yes

4. Course level (first-, second-, third-cycle/EQF levels 6, 7 and 8)

Master’s level, degree programmes in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine = secondcycle
degree/EQF level 7
Doctoral level = third-cycle (doctoral) degree/EQF level 8

-Does the course belong to basic, intermediate or advanced studies (cf. Government Decree
on University Degrees)?
Advanced studies

5. Recommended time/stage of studies for completion

-The recommended time for completion may be, e.g., after certain relevant courses have
been completed.

6. Term/teaching period when the course will be offered

The course will be offered in the spring term, III period.

7. Scope of the course in credits

5 cr

8. Teacher coordinating the course

Alexey Isavnin

9. Course learning outcomes

• You will learn about the history of formation of the Sun and its future evolution
• You will understand the processes of energy production and transfer in the Sun, structure of solar atmosphere, corona and solar wind, generation and evolution of solar magnetic fields, physics behind solar cycle, solar seismology and solar storms
• You will learn about current and past solar space missions as well ground observatories and will apply your knowledge to study various aspects of the Sun using real data

10. Course completion methods

• Exercises, which will offer both theoretical calculation tasks and solar observational studies
• During the last lecture the students will be required to present a talk on one of the selected solar-related topics
• Final exam, which will mostly require conceptual knowledge of solar physics

11. Prerequisites

• Calculus, linear algebra, knowldge of mechanics and electromagnetism

12. Recommended optional studies

• Space plasma physics
• Numerical space physics

13. Course content

• Formation of the Sun and the solar system, future evolution of the Sun
• Standard solar model
• Solar atmosphere
• Solar oscillations and helioseismology
• Convection
• Solar rotation
• Solar dynamo and solar cycle
• Chromosphere and solar corona
• Solar wind
• Solar storms and eruptions

14. Recommended and required literature

• Lecture notes
• Stix, M. The Sun - An Introduction. 1st ed. Springer, 1989; 2nd ed. Springer 2002

15. Activities and teaching methods in support of learning

-See the competence map (https://flamma.helsinki.fi/content/res/pri/HY350274).
-Student activities
-Description of how the teacher’s activities are documented

16. Assessment practices and criteria, grading scale

-See the competence map (https://flamma.helsinki.fi/content/res/pri/HY350274).
-The assessment practices used are directly linked to the learning outcomes and teaching
methods of the course.

17. Teaching language