PhD Studentships in Solar Physics, University of Central Lancashire.
The Jeremiah Horrocks Institute at the University of Central Lancashire is able to offer several full time PhD studentships to commence in October 2012. These will be either in Astrophysics or Solar Physics. Applicants may submit a general application or indicate a preference for a specific project. To ensure that you are considered in the first selection round, please apply by 15th March 2012.
The solar physics projects are:
1. Using Coronal Dimming to Study CME Initiation. Supervisor: Dr. Danielle Bewsher.
The aim of this project is to study the initiation of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) using data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Coronal dimming has been identified as an observable tool which can be the first detection of a CME hours before they are observed in coronagraph observations. The identification of coronal dimming also leads directly to the source regions and studies of the initiation process.
2. Investigating the rotation of sunspots with the Solar Dynamics Observatory. Supervisor: Dr. Daniel Brown.
The aim of this project is to investigate the torsional rotation of sunspots. These rotations are a consequence of magnetic fields emerging from the solar interior into the atmosphere and can provide information about sub-surface magnetic processes. Data from SDO will be used to identify sunspot rotation, determine the rotation profile and the response in the solar atmosphere (e.g., flares, eruptions).
For further details visit http://www.star.uclan.ac.uk or contact Prof. Gordon Bromage (gebromage@uclan.ac.uk) or Dr. Tim Cawthorne (tvcawthorne@uclan.ac.uk).
