PhD Studentship: Drivers of The Upper Atmosphere

The thermosphere is a region of the Earth’s upper atmosphere, spanning altitudes between approximately 80 km and 500 km. It is one of the least understood regions of the terrestrial environment due to the challenges inherent in making observations at these high altitudes. Estimating the thermospheric density is the greatest challenge when predicting satellite orbits. Inaccurate predictions lead to unnecessary collision avoidance manoeuvres which uses fuel and reduces the operational lifetime of the satellite (Hapgood, 2021). 

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Swarm mission is currently making in-situ observations the thermosphere. Swarm uses a multi-satellite approach and also observes the ionosphere, that is the part of the upper atmosphere which is comprised of plasma, at a range of scale sizes (Jin et al., 2022). This has enabled numerous studies of the multi-scale ionosphere, as reviewed by Wood et al. (2022). 

The University of Birmingham (UoB) have built models of the multi-scale ionosphere using observations from Swarm (Wood et al., 2024; ESA contract 4000130562/20/I-DT). The performance assessment of these models (Spogli et al., 2024) identified both strengths and limitations, and led to ESA awarding an additional 400,000 EUR for model development (ESA contract: 4000143413/23/I-EB). 

One of the model developments, led by the UoB, uses a new high-resolution thermospheric density data product of to drive the ionospheric model. This has led us to consider the inverse question: Could ionospheric measurements be used to infer the properties of the thermosphere? If so, what are the benefits? The purpose of this Ph.D. is to conduct a series of linked studies to determine:  

• The statistical relationship between the thermospheric density and the ionospheric variability on different timescales and in different latitudinal regions. This will advance our understanding of the dynamics and morphology of the thermosphere. 
• To what extent the thermospheric density can be forecasted from ionospheric observations, and the forecast horizon. This will advance our understanding of the fundamental timescales on which the thermosphere fluctuates. 
• The improvement to predictions of satellite orbits using this approach. 

For further information on this project and details of how to apply to it please click on the above 'Apply' button

Further information on how to apply for a CENTA studentship can be found on the CENTA website: https://centa.ac.uk/

This project is offered through the CENTA3 DTP, with funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Funding covers an annual stipend, tuition fees (at home-fee level) and Research Training Support Grant.

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