Modelling localised solar jets: (macro)spicules) and their effect on solar atmospheric dynamics

About the Project

(Macro)spicules are one of the longest studied yet unsolved phenomena of small-scale solar atmospheric dynamics. Since the discovery of spicules by Father Secchi about 150 years ago, a number of competing theories have been developed to model the generation, propagation and energy and momentum transport capabilities of spicules. The key question is whether these highly collimated magnetised plasma jets are indeed able to supply the measured mass flux of the solar wind. Their big cousins, macrospicules, were discovered more recently. They are less ubiquitous when compared to spicules, however, their extent is often an order of magnitude larger. Therefore, their role may be also key in the formation and dynamics of solar wind flows.

This project is about to study and model the properties of (macro)spicules, investigate their generation and propagation by means of magnetohydrodynamic wave physics. The research will involve both developing mathematical modelling and observational data analysis using high spatial, temporal and spectral resolution state-of-the-art solar telescopes (e.g. SST and/or the 4m aperture DKIST). There is also the option to develop numerical simulations of the spicule processes by means of our market-leading computational tools, would that be a preferred methodology of the student.

This project may require interest in taking observations by either ground- or space-based telescope. Therefore in case of an observational interest of the student, it is expected that the student may undertake such work at ground-based solar observatories (e.g. SST or DKIST). Further, the project also likely requires collaboration with colleagues from Solar Physics and Space Plasma Research Centre (SP2RC), a cross-Faculty research entity at the University of Sheffield (UK).

Mathematics (25)
Physics (29)

Funding Notes

The primary funding source is self-funding, however, it other grant funding may arise such applications will also be considered.

References

For further reading see e.g.,
De Pontieu, Erdelyi and James, Nature 430, pages 536–539 (2004)
https://www.nature.com/articles/nature02749
Dey et al., Nature Physics, 18, pages 595-600 (2022)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-022-01522-1
Liu et al., Nature Communications, 10, Article number: 3504 (2019)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-11495-0