Stellar magnetic activity (5 cr)
Level: Master or PhD studies studies in astronomy
Contents of the course
The aim of the course is to provide a basis for understanding stellar magnetic activity. The emphasis will be both on observations as well as theory and modelling of stellar magnetic activity. The course consists of lectures and exercises.
Preliminary schedule 2024
Lectures Wednesdays 2-4 pm in Physicum D117, exercises approx. every 2nd Wed 4-6 pm (same room).
We 17/1/2024 Introduction: Stellar magnetic fields
We 24/1/2024 Cause of stellar magnetic activity & Sunspots
We 31/1/2024 Manifestations of stellar magnetic activity
We 7/2/2024 Methods of observing starspots
+ Exercise session 1 mWe 14/2/2024 Stellar spot activity: Observational results and conclusions
+ Exercise session 2We 21/2/2024 Basic MHD concepts (lecture 1 by Maarit Korpi-Lagg)
We 28/2/2024 Solar and stellar dynamos I: Mean field models (lecture 2 by Maarit Korpi-Lagg)
+ Exercise session 3We 13/3/2024 Solar and stellar dynamos II ( (lecture 3 by Maarit Korpi-Lagg)
We 20/3/2024 The solar atmosphere: From the photosphere to the upper corona (Eleanna Asvestari)
+ Exercise session 4We 27/3/2024 Solar wind interaction with Earth’s magnetosphere (Ranadeep Sarkar)
We 10/4/2024 Magnetic activity and exoplanets
We 17/4/2024 Open questions in stellar magnetic activity
+ Exercise session 5We 24/4/2024 Conclusion + Exercise session 6
Flinga-page
You can enter questions and opinions about the course anonymously on this Flinga-page: https://edu.flinga.fi/s/EJW3NPS
Passing of the course
The course is passed by a final examination and exercises in connection with the lectures. The weight of the exam and exercises will be 4/5 and 1/5 respectively. The level for maximum points for the home exercises is 80%. The exam will be held on May 3, at 12 am - 4 pm in Exactum D122.
Literature
In addition to the lecture slides the following literature is useful:
Willamo, 2022, "Stellar activity : starspots, magnetic fields and activity cycles", PhD thesis, University of Helsinki, Report series in Astronomy 30, https://helda.helsinki.fi/handle/10138/342285
Strassmeier, 2009, A&A Rev 17, 251
Rempel, Bhatia, Rubio & Korpi-Lagg, 2023, Space Science Reviews, 219, 36, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11214-023-00981-z
Brandenburg & Subramanian, 2005, Physics Reports, 417, 1-209, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physrep.2005.06.005
Paul Charbonneau: "Dynamo Models of the Solar Cycle", http://solarphysics.livingreviews.org/Articles/lrsp-2005-2/
Jeffrey C. Hall: "Stellar Chromospheric Activity", http://solarphysics.livingreviews.org/Articles/lrsp-2008-2/
Michael Stix: "The Sun - An Introduction" (2nd or newer edition) chapters 6-9