Space and planetary physics

We propose to carry out a broad series of research projects which will answer important questions about our solar system and the planets within it. We will also study the links between the Sun and interplanetary space through the solar wind, as well as how they affect space around the Earth. Space is filled with small amounts of hot charged particles, called a plasma, along with a magnetic field, so much of the work we do is fundamental plasma physics applied to space. In our work we will study some fundamental processes that occur in plasmas, including the release of magnetic energy by reconnection and the acceleration of particles at shock waves. We will look at how the solar wind is created by the Sun and how it evolves towards the Earth, as well as how different monitoring locations can be used to predict conditions at Earth. We will pursue our quantitative assessment of the plasma processes and complexity at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, linking our models with data from the Rosetta spacecraft flying alongside. We will use data from the Cassini spacecraft as it travels closer to Saturn than ever before to learn about the giant planet's internal magnetic field. We will study the magnetic field of the smallest planet in the solar system, Mercury, as well as considering how energy is transferred from the solar wind to the giant planets and how this is different from the Earth. These are important topics to study not just because they provide new insight into fundamental physical processes which we do not fully understand, but also because of their effects on our lives, on other areas of science and of what they tell us about our Universe. Our work on plasma physics is related to both laboratory work on the Earth as well as many astrophysical objects such as stars and the space between the galaxies. Our work on giant planets and moons helps us to better characterise the processes that occur on and around exoplanets. In all this work we will use theoretical models and computer simulations as well as measurements from spacecraft in deep space or in orbit around planets. In many of these cases, the measurements are made by instruments that we have built here at Imperial College. Most of these measure the magnetic field in space. The magnetic field is important in all plasmas, and space is filled with plasma - but it is also important in telling us about the interiors of planets and moons. Measuring the magnetic fields in space is very difficult because they are so small, so our science is greatly helped by working closely with the engineers who design, build and run the instruments. As part of this proposal, we will also develop the next generation of miniature magnetic field instruments, which we hope to fly on future, small missions around the Earth or other planets. This development is important so that we can take advantage of new technologies that have become available to make the smallest, lightest, lowest power and most accurate instruments possible. In this way, we lay the groundwork for the science of the future.