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Introduction To Space Science

This document contains lecture notes on space science and technology. It discusses topics like Earth's atmosphere, ionosphere, sprites, meteor trails, meteor cameras, meteor radar, and plasma bubbles. Images and descriptions are provided for each topic. The notes are from the Department of Physics at IIT Roorkee and are presented by Sumanta Sarkhel.

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Shivam mishra
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577 views14 pages

Introduction To Space Science

This document contains lecture notes on space science and technology. It discusses topics like Earth's atmosphere, ionosphere, sprites, meteor trails, meteor cameras, meteor radar, and plasma bubbles. Images and descriptions are provided for each topic. The notes are from the Department of Physics at IIT Roorkee and are presented by Sumanta Sarkhel.

Uploaded by

Shivam mishra
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lecture Notes

Space Science and Technology (IPH-04)

Sumanta Sarkhel
Department of Physics
IIT Roorkee
Introduction to Space
Science
Earth’s Atmosphere

Courtesy: Web Source


Earth’s Ionosphere

Courtesy: http://www.astrosurf.com/luxorion/Radio/atmosphere-ionosphere.gif
Sprites
• Sprites are large-scale electrical discharges that
occur high above thunderstorm clouds, giving rise to
range of visual shapes flickering in the night sky.

• They occur in clusters within the altitude range of


50–90 km above the Earth's surface.

• Sprites are sometimes colloquially called upper-


atmospheric lightning.

• Sprites are cold plasma phenomena.

Courtesy: Web Source


Sprites

Courtesy: Web Source


Meteor Trails
During the entry of a meteoroid or asteroid into the upper atmosphere, an ionization
trail is created, where the molecules in the upper atmosphere are ionized by the
passage of the meteor. Such ionization trails can last up to 45 minutes at a time.

Courtesy: Web Source


Meteor Camera at Arecibo Observatory

Signal System NTSC


Frame Rate 30 per second
Image Sensor 1/2" B/W IT CCD
FOV 30o
Number of Pixels 768 x 494
Meteor Radar
Use of Meteor radar

• It gives the velocity of the wind at the


meteor ablation height

• It also gives the temperature


Effect of Plasma Bubbles

• The refractive index of the localized ionosphere is altered due to


plasma bubbles.

• It affects satellite radio wave communication in HF, VHF and


even UHF band.

• It creates delay in the satellite navigation signals that causes


errors in determining accurate position of a location on Earth.

Why we should study plasma bubbles


Why we should study plasma bubbles ….

Courtesy: Sciencemag.org

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