Dr Licia Ray FHEA
Senior Lecturer in Space and Planetary PhysicsResearch Overview
Planets are connected to their surrounding plasma environment by their planetary magnetic fields, which threads the atmosphere and generates the magnetosphere. This interaction generates bright auroral signatures. Each planetary system has different local conditions. Jupiter and Saturn are rotationally dominated gas giants with strong magnetic fields and geologically active moons within their magnetospheres. The Earth rotates more slowly and has a relatively empty magnetosphere. By comparing these systems, we can understand which physical processes dominate under different regimes. I am interested in the auroral acceleration region, auroral current systems, and the effect of the upper atmosphere on the magnetosphere.
PhD Supervision Interests
PhD projects are available in various aspects of modelling magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling and auroral physics at Jupiter, Saturn, and Earth.
Ionospheric Outflow at Jupiter
01/04/2024 → 31/03/2027
Research
Space and Planetary Research at Lancaster University
01/04/2018 → 30/09/2022
Research
Auroras Abound: Planetary aurora throughout the solar system
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Auroras Abound: Planetary aurora throughout the solar system
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Neither Here Nor There: The coupling between giant planets and their surroundings
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Juno Prime Mission Results in Magnetospheric Science Workshop
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Auroras Abound
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Auroras Abound
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Dallas Road Community Primary School
School Engagement
Science and Technology Facilities Council (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Europlanet Society (External organisation)
Membership of committee
MI Coupling: Where are we and where do we need to go?
Invited talk
National Astronomy Meeting 2019
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Space and Planetary Physics
Space and Planetary Physics
Space and Planetary Physics
- Space and Planetary Physics