STFC Introductory Course in Solar and Solar-Terrestrial Physics


The University of Sheffield
1 - 6 September 2024


Objectives Course directors Programme Registration Venue Accommodation Travel Further information


Objectives



Summer School Poster

The annual STFC Introductory Course in Solar and Solar-Terrestrial Physics has played a significant role in the training of early career UK solar system physicists for several generations and often attracts several of their international counterparts. The content of the course, designed by the UK Solar Physics and MIST Councils, and approved by the Heads of UK Solar Groups and MIST since 2015, is targeted at PhD students, who are new to the field, aiming to upgrade, consolidate and broaden their knowledge.

As well as strengthening theoretical, observational and technical knowledge relevant to their fields, the School allows students and other participants to interact scientifically and socially with each other and with the lecturers, thus enriching the field as a whole - particularly in the UK. The subject-oriented lectures are complemented by a hands-on event on coding skills, a session on managing mental health during PhD, an EDI lecture, a careers panel and Q&A event and a lecture on public engagement with outreach.

Course Directors


Marianna Korsós Noémi Kinga Zsámberger Robertus Erdélyi

Programme


Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9:15-9:30
 Welcome and Logistics
9:30-10:30 Introduction to Plasma Physics (A. Hillier) Solar Interior and Helioseismology (A. M. Broomhall) The Ionosphere (A. Kavanagh) Plasma Turbulence (N. Jeffrey) Impacts of Space Weather (M. Korsos)
10:30-11:00 Coffee Coffee Coffee Coffee Coffee
11:00-12:00 Introduction to MHD (K. Meyer) Introduction to the Solar Atmosphere (R. Erdélyi) The Thermosphere and Mesosphere (D. Jackson) Planetary Plasma Environments (A. Coates) Public Engagement and Outreach (S. Yardley)
12:00-14:00 Lunch and Break Lunch and Break Lunch and Break Lunch and Break Lunch
14:00-15:00 MHD Waves and Instabilities (C. Nelson) CMEs, the Solar Wind and the Heliosphere (H. Morgan)
Hands-on computing: Introductory Python coding (N. Zsámberger)


Hands-on computing: Sunpy (S. Mumford)
Career Session Close
15:00-15:30 Tea and ''Ask me Anything'' Tea and ''Ask me Anything'' Tea and ''Ask me Anything''
15:30-16:00 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
16:00-17:00 Arrival Magnetic Reconnection (P. Wyper) The Magnetosphere (I. Gingell)
17:00-18:00
18:00-18:30 Registration and Ice breaker
18:30- Conference Dinner

Registration


The School is free of charge for STFC-sponsored and self-funded students, subject to availablity. Consideration will be given by the STFC, in conjunction with the Course Directors, to offering any remaining places to students in receipt of other sponsorship. The course fee for any attendee in the latter category is £400. To register your interest, please contact Robertus Erdélyi . Fee-paying participants can use this link to complete their payment.

Registration is now closed.

Venue


The Summer School venue is room I19 on floor I of the Hicks Building at The University of Sheffield. Address: Hounsfield Road, S3 7RH; see here on Google Maps.

Accommodation


During the summer school period, self-catering (i.e. no breakfast, etc.) lodging will be provided at a standard student accommodation hall. Arrival must be on Sunday, 1 September; check-out on Friday, 6 September. The accommodation is organised in flats of 4-5 rooms, each of which comes with a single bed and a private bathroom. The rooms in each flat share a common kitchen. The accommodation is about 20-25 minutes comfortable walking distance from the Hicks Building, at The Forge (Boston St, Highfield, S2 4QG - see here on Google Maps). Upon arrival, please use the intercom by the main door to gain entry to the building.

Travel


Useful information for visitors to Sheffield can be found here. Campus maps and further travel guides are available here.

Information about rail and coach options for travelling to Sheffield is provided here by the University.

For international travel guidence, please see this summary.

Important locations for the science and social programmes, as well as travel, are marked on this map. The central train and bus stations are both within walking distance (20-25 minutes) to both the conference venue and the accommodation provided, but bus and tram links are also available.

Further Information


Information for STFC- and self-funded students: STFC and self-funded UK students can claim the cost of travel and any additional meals required that are not already provided by the school. Students will be required to keep all receipts for purchases that they wish to claim back from STFC and these receipts must be dated and itemised. Please keep an eye out for emails including the forms required for this, along with details of UKRI’s T&S Policy.
Please also fill out this feedback form as soon as possible.

Updated: 11.09.2024