Space physics

The space physics research group at the University of Helsinki studies Sun–Earth physics and space weather. We develop numerical simulations of the Sun’s corona, the heliosphere and the Earth’s magnetosphere and make extensive use of measurements by the probes of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). We aim to gain comprehensive insight into the physics of space weather phenomena, conduct high-quality research that is recognised internationally and use the results to develop services to society.

The group’s operations are based on the idea of making versatile use of research methods from data analysis and data interpretation to theoretical and computational modelling. We are part of the Academy of Finland’s Centre of Excellence in Research of Sustainable Space. We are also running two ERC-funded projects.

Our research focuses on:

• The interaction of solar wind and the Earth’s magnetosphere
• The formation and evolution of coronal mass ejections
• The physics and dynamics of Van Allen radiation belts
• Reconnection, plasma waves, turbulence and instabilities and interplanetary shocks in the Earth’s environment and in solar wind