4. Solar Energetic Particles observed by Planetary Missions on their way to their targets

ESA supervisor: Laura Rodríguez-García
Collaborator(s):  Marco Pinto, Miho Janvier

Site: ESAC

The atmosphere of our Sun is a dynamic medium where explosive events take place. Such phenomena can inject high energy particles into the solar system, also known as solar energetic particle (SEP) events, and that can be observed by spacecraft in the interplanetary medium. The goal of this project is to identify SEP events measured by planetary missions on their way to their targets and the solar sources related to them, using data from different spacecraft. Planetary missions equipped with radiation monitors may have the opportunity to measure SEP events, determining particle (electron and proton) intensities, directivity, and spectra. These planetary missions, such as BepiColombo or JUICE, will be selected based on the data availability. The definition of a semi-automatic software tool to detect SEP events is expected to be developed. 

As an optional additional work, and based on data availability, a few case studies will be selected to characterize the instruments onboard the planetary missions and to compare its measurements with other particle instruments onboard solar and heliophysics missions in the heliosphere. 

It is expected that this project will lead to a publication in a relevant scientific journal. 

Project duration: 6 months.

Desirable expertise or programming language:

• English advanced knowledge.
• Python advanced knowledge.
• Heliophysics basic knowledge.

To apply for this project please fill in an online application form through the following link.