Atmospheric and Space Physics

The study of atmospheric and space physics at Clemson University focuses on the dynamics of the Earth’s upper atmosphere and its space environment, utilizing space- and ground-based remote sensing techniques, satellite data, theoretical analyses, and computational models. Researchers investigate various phenomena, including ionospheric and auroral electrodynamics, atmospheric waves, turbulence in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, magnetospheric dynamics, geomagnetic disturbances, coupling processes across different domains of the Sun-Earth system, magnetic reconnection, and fundamental plasma physics.

They employ advanced experimental methods such as rocket-based hardware development and incoherent scatter radar data analysis to gather measurements in the upper atmosphere. Global and local computational models are used to investigate the plasma and neutral physical processes occurring in the atmosphere and space environment.

The upper atmosphere is Earth’s gateway to space and serves as the final link in the transfer of energy from the Sun while also staying connected to terrestrial weather processes near the surface. The space around Earth is where many modern technologies and facilities, such as man-made satellites that are used for navigation and communication, reside. They are prone to the effects of solar eruptions, which impact these technologies via space weather. The research group explores the complex interactions of dynamical, thermal, magnetic and electrodynamic processes that define atmospheric and space structure and behavior. Their work integrates real-time monitoring with long-term observational data collected through ground-based instruments, sounding rockets and satellite systems for global-scale insights, and incorporates measurements with state-of-the-art computational models.

Since 2002, undergraduate students have been involved in designing rocket experiments, while graduate students have participated in a diverse array of faculty-led research projects. Graduates of the program often find employment in the aerospace and defense industries, research laboratories and governmental agencies such as NSF, NASA and NOAA. This multidisciplinary approach aims to enhance our understanding of atmospheric and space processes, to make space operations safer, lower the cost of access to space, and advance space weather prediction capabilities.