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Scientific topics
The activity of the LPP space plasma team, initially focused on the exploration of terrestrial plasmas, has evolved in two directions. On the one hand, people continue to study the physical processes at work in the ionized part of the atmosphere, called the ionosphere, and in the magnetosphere of the Earth. The former is formed by the interaction of the magnetic field of the planet with the plasma ejected by the Sun, the solar wind. The magnetosphere and the solar wind are separated by boundaries, the magnetopause and the bow shock.
On the other hand, the team turned to the exploration of ionized environments other solar system bodies (planets, satellites, comets and rings) and to the study of the solar wind.
Video : the magnetosphere shape (P. Robert from Tsyganenko B field model of the magnetosphere).
- The Earth magnetosphere : 3D model of the magnetic field (the Sun in on the left).
Source : B. Katra
The "Space Plasmas" team main scientific topics are centered around the main following areas:.
- Brake up of magnetic confinement and plasma transport : Turbulence, Magnetic reconnection, Magnetospheric substorm triggering,
- Physics of shocks ,
- Processes of acceleration, heating, radiation in auroral regions, Planetary radio emissions,
- Comparative planetology: planetary magnetospheres, modelling of plasma environments of small planets, planètes géantes,
- Space Weather.
- Cluster
- Artistic view of the mission. Source : ESA
The work of the team is highly structured by space projects, most of which are transversal to scientific topics above. They are based on the development of instruments: mass spectrometer and plasma analyzers on the one hand, magnetic antenna on the other hand. These projects, Cassini, Cluster, Double Star, THEMIS, MMS, BepiColombo, Solar Orbiter, ..., are conducted in the framework of national and international space agencies: CNES, ESA, NASA, JAXA (Japan), CNSA (China).
One of the strengths of the team is to bring together the main chain of useful skills to insure the success of these projects. This allows it to invest in: participation in definition v for future space missions, the development of instrumentation, the development of software for validation, data formatting and archiving, scientific data analysis of missions in operation. However, the activity of the team goes beyond space missions. People are involved in the design of sensors that are ever smaller, lighter, and more efficient. The team also carries theoretical developments and numerical modeling needed to interpret observations.
Herafter are listed topics studied in the team :
Theoretical modelling of collisionless plasmas
Most astrophysical plasmas studied at LPP are collisionless
The magnetic reconnection
Universal phenomenon linked to the modification of the magnetic field lines topology
Collisionless shock waves
What is the relationship between a fighter plane and the magnetosphere of the Earth?
Acceleration, radiation and turbulence in terrestrial auroral regions
How are created the spectacular northern auroras
Space Weather
How do solar eruptions propagate and what are their effects on terrestrial environment ?
