| Univ. Belgrade Dr. A. Nina | Earth Ionosphere: Theory and Observations (S3, elective, 6 ECTS) |
| Learning Outcomes: | The main objectives of the course are: 1. To acquaint students with the ionosphere as a medium whose monitoring provides information about numerous phenomena from the outer space and terrestrial processes whose occurrences disturb physical properties of this atmospheric layer, and 2. To reveal the influence of the ionosphere on the outer space and Earth observations. |
| Knowledge and Understanding: | Knowledge and understanding the ionospheric properties and establishing correlations of specific ionospheric disturbances with outer space and terrestrial phenomena as their sources. Knowledge and understanding the techniques for ionospheric observations and basic theory of propagation of EM waves in the ionosphere. |
| Applying Knowledge and Understanding: | Applying the observational data in detection and analysis of events originating in the outer space and terrestrial layers. Applying the available on-line models in ionospheric modeling and modeling the EM wave propagation relevant for the Earth and other space observations, global positioning. |
| Prerequisites | A basic level of programming and essentials of plasma physics. |
| Program | Characteristics of the ionosphere Ionospheric models Techniques for ionospheric observation Ionospheric perturbations: effects of the outer space and terrestrial phenomena on the ionosphere and their detection by ionospheric observations Basic theory of electromagnetic wave propagation with reference to the ionosphere. Impact of the ionosphere on the ground-based and satellite emitted radio signals (importance for positioning and Earth observations) and observations of the outer space from the Earth. Training to work with the ionospheric models available on-line Seminar on modeling the influence of the perturbed ionosphere on propagation of electromagnetic waves |
| Description of how the course is conducted | See the next item |
| Description of the didactic methods | The course consists of theory lectures. Several theory classes are accompanied by exercises and examples enabling students to practice utilizing the on line available ionospheric models. The course is concluded by a final seminar where students are to report their results obtained using the numerical procedures based on learned models and theory. |
| Description of the evaluation methods | Students have to present their results obtained in modeling based on explained models at a seminar before the final oral exam. At the seminar, a student has to express ability to use the available models for calculations of ionospheric parameters, and to model some parameters important for different types of observations. The oral exam is to confirm student’s understanding of the learned theory and presented models, and to show her/his abilities for comparisons, applications, and critical descriptions of the learned methods. |
| Adopted Textbooks | Material will be given as lecture notes (unpublished material) |
| Recommended readings | Ionospheric Prediction and Forecasting, Zolesi Bruno, Cander Ljiljana R., Springer, 2014; https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783642384295 |
