Università Roma Tre

Earth's magnetic field. Analysis of the main, lithospheric, external and inducted components of the field. Dipole approximation. Analysis of the geomagnetic field in spherical harmonics. Distribution of the energy content of the spherical harmonics. Models of self-excited dynamo. Cowling theorem. The Earth's dynamo. Magnetization of rocks (Curie and temperature; Neel temperature; dia- para- and ferromagnetic rocks). Paleomagnetism and archeomagnetism. Spatial and temporal variations of the geomagnetic field (polarity inversions, excursions, jerks, etc.). Motion of magnetic pole. Anomalies of the dipolar and non-dipolar component of the geomagnetic field. Methods and instruments for measuring geomagnetic field on the ground and space. The geomagnetic observatories in the world. Elements of fluid dynamics. Equation of magnetic induction: diffusion, freezing and reconnection. Elements of magneto-hydrodynamics. The structure of the magnetosphere and currents system. Solar activity sources: active regions and sunspots, prominences and filaments, flares, coronal mass ejections (CME), coronal holes. Interplanetary magnetic field. Sun cycle. The interplanetary plasma. Interaction between Earth's magnetosphere and the interplanetary plasma. Perturbations in the solar wind, magneto-hydrodynamic waves, shock waves, magnetic clouds. Transfer of energy from the solar wind to the magnetosphere. Magnetic reconnection. Ionosphere - magnetosphere coupling. Aurorae. Geomagnetic response to different interplanetary disturbances. Storms and magnetospheric sub-storms. Geomagnetic indices (Kp, ap, Dst, AE, AL, AU). Correlation between geomagnetic indices and temporal variations of the solar activity. Magnetic pulsations in the magnetosphere (Pc and Pi). Space Weather and terrestrial environment.

Teaching materials:
- Lessons notes.
- Merrill M., McElhinny M. W., McFadden P. L., “The Magnetic Field of the Earth: Paleomagnetism, the Core, and the Deep Mantle” (International Geophysics Series), 1996
- Meloni A., Il pianeta magnetico. Introduzione al geomagnetismo, Editore: Carocci
- Parks G.K.: “Physics of Space Plasmas. An Introduction” [Addison-Wesley Pub. Co., 1991]
- Kivelson G. and Russell C.T. (eds.): “Introduction to Space Physics” [Cambridge University Press, 1995.]