The Sun is an active star that emits radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum. At radio wavelengths, large-scale eruptions can produce intense bursts of radio waves associated with accelerated electrons and shocks. In collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, we operate a number of instruments dedicated to studying solar radio bursts and their effects on Earth at the Rosse Observatory in Birr Castle, Co. Offaly, Ireland. The observatory includes the Irish Low Frequency Array , eCallisto solar radio burst monitors operating at 10-400 MHz, ionospheric monitors, and a magnetometer (the magnetometer is operated with DIAS Geophysics). We use these instruments in coordination with observations from spacecraft such as ESA/NASA’s Solar Orbiter and NASA’s Parker Solar Probe to study the Sun and its impacts on Earth and the wider Heliosphere.
Solar Orbiter
Solar Orbiter is an ESA/NASA mission to examine how the Sun creates and controls the Heliosphere, the vast bubble of charged particles blown by the solar wind into the interstellar medium. The spacecraft combines in situ and remote sensing instruments to gain new information about the solar wind, the heliospheric magnetic field, solar energetic particles, transient interplanetary disturbances and the Sun’s magnetic field.
We are involved in writing software and scientific support for the Solar-Telescope Imaging X-rays (STIX) instrument. This instrument will enable us to obtain X-ray images and spectra emitted by solar flares and to study fundamental processes in solar flares, such as energy release and electron acceleration and propagation.
Solar Eruption Forecasting
Solar flares and coronal mass ejections originate in magnetic fields of the Sun’s atmosphere. Using measurements of the Sun’s surface magnetic field from spacecraft such as NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, we develop methods to characterise and monitor magnetic fields in sunspots (e.g., via the Horizon 2020 FLARECAST project). These enable us to examine the changing topology of sunspots as they emerge, flare and decay. We are also developing techniques to improve the forecasting of solar flares using ensemble-based techniques, and investigating the first steps towards CME onset prediction using machine learning.
Geomagnetic Storms
Solar wind streams and coronal mass ejections can cause storms in the Earth’s magnetosphere called geomagnetic storms. These storms can be associated with beautiful auroral displays but they can also cause unwanted electrical currents to flow through ground-based systems, such as power grids.
We have set up the Magnetometer Network of Ireland (MagIE) to monitor geomagnetic storms in near-realtime and to give warnings of geomagnetic storms in Ireland. We have also developed theoretical models to predict the electric fields and currents generated in response to magnetic variations across Ireland and the UK, in collaboration with the British Geological Survey and the UK Met Office.
SolarMonitor.org
SolarMonitor.org is a leading on-line tool which automatically reads, calibrates and displays solar data from numerous ground- and space-based observing platforms. SolarMonitor not only acts as a source for distributing data, but provides secondary products such as region flaring probabilities, which are essential to satellite operators, human space-flight, military operations, and the communications industry in general. We have received over 20 million visitors to the site since its launch.
Solar Physics and Space Weather research at DIAS is supported by the Irish Research Council , Enterprise Ireland/ESA/PRODEX, Science Foundation Ireland and the European Commission/Horizon 2020.
The Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund is open for applications. Know someone wishing to study a Physics PhD who could benefit from this fund? Direct them to https://t.co/JYp1U4KxuC to find out more and apply. Closing date is midday Friday 22 Jan 2021 #BellBurnellFund
#RIAaccess2experts Join Dame Prof Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Hon. MRIA for this online Academy Discourse 'Astronomy and Poetry' discussing astronomical objects/events that have attracted the attention of #poets on Tue 10 Nov, 7pm. Free but booking essential bit.ly/RIAJBBRetweeted by
DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
✨The Last and Next 100 Years of Astronomy 🪐
If you missed the fascinating talk by Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell the talk has now been loaded to our YouTube Channel.
We will be launching our events for October very soon so watch this space!
youtu.be/S_XVFGAavE0Retweeted by
DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
The Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund supports full or part-time graduates who wish to study towards a doctorate in physics and are from groups that are currently under-represented in physics #BellBurnellFundRetweeted by
DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Solar Physics and Space Weather
Group Head: Prof. Peter Gallagher
Schrödinger Fellow: Dr Eoin Carley
Research Fellows: Dr Sophie Murray, Dr Shane Maloney
Research Students: Aoife Maria Ryan, Pearse Murphy, Ciara Maguire, Brendan Clarke, John Malone-Leigh, Luis Alberto Cañizares, David McKenna
Refereed Publications: SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System
Solar Radio Physics
The Sun is an active star that emits radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum. At radio wavelengths, large-scale eruptions can produce intense bursts of radio waves associated with accelerated electrons and shocks. In collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, we operate a number of instruments dedicated to studying solar radio bursts and their effects on Earth at the Rosse Observatory in Birr Castle, Co. Offaly, Ireland. The observatory includes the Irish Low Frequency Array , eCallisto solar radio burst monitors operating at 10-400 MHz, ionospheric monitors, and a magnetometer (the magnetometer is operated with DIAS Geophysics). We use these instruments in coordination with observations from spacecraft such as ESA/NASA’s Solar Orbiter and NASA’s Parker Solar Probe to study the Sun and its impacts on Earth and the wider Heliosphere.
Solar Orbiter
Solar Orbiter is an ESA/NASA mission to examine how the Sun creates and controls the Heliosphere, the vast bubble of charged particles blown by the solar wind into the interstellar medium. The spacecraft combines in situ and remote sensing instruments to gain new information about the solar wind, the heliospheric magnetic field, solar energetic particles, transient interplanetary disturbances and the Sun’s magnetic field.
We are involved in writing software and scientific support for the Solar-Telescope Imaging X-rays (STIX) instrument. This instrument will enable us to obtain X-ray images and spectra emitted by solar flares and to study fundamental processes in solar flares, such as energy release and electron acceleration and propagation.
Solar Eruption Forecasting
Solar flares and coronal mass ejections originate in magnetic fields of the Sun’s atmosphere. Using measurements of the Sun’s surface magnetic field from spacecraft such as NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, we develop methods to characterise and monitor magnetic fields in sunspots (e.g., via the Horizon 2020 FLARECAST project). These enable us to examine the changing topology of sunspots as they emerge, flare and decay. We are also developing techniques to improve the forecasting of solar flares using ensemble-based techniques, and investigating the first steps towards CME onset prediction using machine learning.
Geomagnetic Storms
Solar wind streams and coronal mass ejections can cause storms in the Earth’s magnetosphere called geomagnetic storms. These storms can be associated with beautiful auroral displays but they can also cause unwanted electrical currents to flow through ground-based systems, such as power grids.
We have set up the Magnetometer Network of Ireland (MagIE) to monitor geomagnetic storms in near-realtime and to give warnings of geomagnetic storms in Ireland. We have also developed theoretical models to predict the electric fields and currents generated in response to magnetic variations across Ireland and the UK, in collaboration with the British Geological Survey and the UK Met Office.
SolarMonitor.org
SolarMonitor.org is a leading on-line tool which automatically reads, calibrates and displays solar data from numerous ground- and space-based observing platforms. SolarMonitor not only acts as a source for distributing data, but provides secondary products such as region flaring probabilities, which are essential to satellite operators, human space-flight, military operations, and the communications industry in general. We have received over 20 million visitors to the site since its launch.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Head of DIAS Astrophysics @petertgallagher featured @Wikipedia front page today! Learn more about his work @DIASAstronomy @DIASDunsink @I_LOFAR en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_T._…
Our first online event as part of our upcoming Samhain agus Science mini-fest takes place on Monday 26th October at 6pm, and will be presented by @AstridEichhorn. Tickets are free and booking is essential: eventbrite.ie/e/124399258531 @UniSouthDenmark #Samhainagusscience Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
Come do a PhD with us at DIAS Astrophysics. More on our research at dias.ie/astrophysics/ twitter.com/PhysicsNews/st…
"The Hamilton Way" A proposed foot and cycle route linking Dunsink Observatory and the Royal Canal Greenway, Ashtown and the Tolka Valley Greenway. Read about it here: dunsink.dias.ie/hamiltonway/ @DIASDunsink @DIAS_Dublin @StpDias @DIASAstronomy @MathsWeek Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
Its Maths Week! And we have some tickets left for our upcoming talk tomorrow evening: eventbrite.ie/e/122552924095 #MathsWeek2020 #DIASdiscover Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
I was funded by this great PhD programme way back when. Want to do a PhD @DIASAstronomy on massive stars, supernovae, cosmic rays? Plenty of time to get in touch and write an application! Check out dias.ie/massivestars #DIASdiscovers @davit_zargaryan @sam_green93 @MMoutzouri twitter.com/IrishResearch/… Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
At the time of her contribution, Dr Garcia Lopez was affiliated to DIAS and continues as a research associate twitter.com/UCD_Research/s… Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
@DeptofFHed @ESO @EnterInnov And one of DIAS' researchers at the time, worked on that very project 👍 aanda.org/articles/aa/pd… Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
Research using @ESO telescopes on the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way has been awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics. Ireland is a member of ESO since 2018 @DIAS_Dublin @EnterInnov twitter.com/ESO/status/131… Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
Congratulations to Roger Penrose, Reinhard Genzela and Andrea Ghez today announced as joint @NobelPrize winners in Physics 2020! #NobelPrize2020 #blackholes #milkyway #astrophysics Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
#RIAaccess2experts Join Dame Prof Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Hon. MRIA for this online Academy Discourse 'Astronomy and Poetry' discussing astronomical objects/events that have attracted the attention of #poets on Tue 10 Nov, 7pm. Free but booking essential bit.ly/RIAJBB Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
We're delighted to announce for next month's club meeting, special guest Prof. Tom Ray of @DIAS_Dublin will talk about @ESO_Ireland and the construction of the @ESO VLT in Chile! To Join @LimerickAstro please send us a DM. Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
✨The Last and Next 100 Years of Astronomy 🪐 If you missed the fascinating talk by Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell the talk has now been loaded to our YouTube Channel. We will be launching our events for October very soon so watch this space! youtu.be/S_XVFGAavE0 Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
The Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund supports full or part-time graduates who wish to study towards a doctorate in physics and are from groups that are currently under-represented in physics #BellBurnellFund Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
The Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund is now open for applications! Visit iop.org/bellburnellfund to submit your application. Closing date is midday Friday 22 Jan 2021. #BellBurnellFund Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
@KOSullivanIT @ibec_irl @IrishTimes 📢Prof Terry Tao @UCLA will deliver the RIA 2020 Hamilton Lecture on 16 Oct, 4pm - #free register now bit.ly/riaTTao Remember send your #maths❓by 12noon, 2 Oct, if you need inspiration check out #Numberphile video bit.ly/RIATaoYT #HamiltonDay sponsor @ibec_irl Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
Delighted to have the opportunity to chat with mathematician extraordinaire Terry Tao who will deliver this year’s Hamilton Lecture hosted by @RIAdawson with @ibec_irl and @IrishTimes science Sign up! via @IrishTimes irishtimes.com/news/science/m… Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
#ISSIGameChangers seminar at 15:00 Irish time today. Not to be missed for those interested in space missions to explore the Sun. twitter.com/ISSIBern/statu…
The @IrishResearch Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowships call is now OPEN! Deadline for applications 19 November. Also includes a Social Enterprise Impact Fellowship in partnership with @deptRCD research.ie/funding/goipd/… #LoveIrishResearch #LovePostdocs Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics
.@petertgallagher says SETI might be a "moon-landing moment for the next generation" - having worked with undergraduate interns Aoife Brennan and Charlie Giese this summer we very much agree: lofar.ie/astrolands-int… youtu.be/yv3ZH6C55H8?t=… youtube.com/watch?v=yv3ZH6… twitter.com/I_LOFAR/status… Retweeted by DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics