Abstract:
The radiation belts of the Earth and magnetised planets include high energy electrons reaching energies of up to 50 MeV or more. In this talk we will discuss some of the early observations and ideas on how electrons are accelerated in space. We will discuss how acceleration by wave-particle interactions came to be accepted as a new theory, and why it was so challenging and took so long. We will discuss the challenges of applying the theory to Jupiter and Saturn and show how this research is being used in space weather applications to help protect satellites on orbit around the Earth.
Biography:
Professor Richard B Horne FRS is Distinguished Research Scientist at the British Antarctic Survey and visiting Professor at the University of Sheffield. Richard is known for his research on electron acceleration by wave-particle interactions at the Earth and planets, and for leading EU and ESA projects to develop a space weather forecasting system. Richard was awarded the Kristian Birkeland Medal and the RAS Gold Medal and is a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Cake and coffee/tea is served from 12.00 to 12.15. The talk starts shortly after.