Curriculum 2 - Earth and the Sun-Earth system

The study of the extreme variability of the Sun's physical conditions has highlighted the complexity of the systematic coupling between the Sun and the various planets within the heliosphere, with particular reference to the Sun-Earth coupling. Our society, which is increasingly based on space, is exposed to the risks arising from this coupling. The investigation of the physical processes involving solar and space conditions, as well as understanding the processes of interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere and ionosphere, and consequently with the atmosphere and lithosphere, are therefore critical to preventing and mitigating all those extreme solar phenomena that put at risk of destruction, infrastructure in space and on the ground.

Conversely, processes that occur in the lithosphere, such as eruptions or earthquakes, can in turn influence the dynamics of the middle and upper atmosphere, opening up space for studies to understand lithospheric processes and to prediction of their effects. Circum-terrestrial dynamics are now observable through new types of remote sensing imaging and nonimaging from space, and allow the characterization of events extremes observable at various spatial and temporal scales.

The curriculum named Earth and Earth-Sun system aims to provide specific knowledge, scientific and technological, related to the measurement of the main physical and geophysical phenomena relevant in these interactions, the techniques of analysis and the implications in the social and technological spheres, of the Earth-Sun system, and of the interactions between the various parts of the circumterrestrial system, up to the techniques of earth observation.

Details about funded positions for each Cycle are listed in the Menu.