National Sun-Earth Program

The National Sun-Earth Program (PNST) of the Astronomy-Astrophysics division of INSU CNRS is centered on study of the solar atmosphere, of Sun-Earth relations as well as of the ionized environment of the Earth. This program also includes studies of planetary magnetospheres that enhance our understanding of the physical processes at work.

The scientific themes of PNST encompass a large number of questions concerning the plasma environment of the Sun-Earth-heliosphere system. On the one hand, the aim is to understand physical processes, viz.,

• Generation and transport of the Sun magnetic field.
• Coupling between different regions of plasma.
• Impulsive and explosive processes that convert and transport energy on different scales, characterization of plasma turbulence and particle acceleration up to high energies.

On the other hand, the aim is to develop a global understanding of this Sun-Earth-heliosphere system, viz.,

• Impact of the solar wind and solar activity on the plasma environment (magnetosphere, ionosphere) of the Earth as well as that of other planets.
• Coupling between plasma environment and neutral atmosphere.
• Interaction between the heliosphere and the interstellar medium.