About
Exploring the magnetic field evolution of the Sun, one equation at a time. I’m a solar physics postdoctoral fellow at the University of Hawaii with a passion for studying solar magnetic field dynamics. Let’s dig deeper into the unsolved mysteries of the heliosphere to understand, inspire, and educate. Let’s shine a light on solar physics and its diverse impacts on us together!
For more details connect me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/soumya-theory. Checkout my GitHub profile for updates on research projects at https://github.com/sr-dash.
Research
Magnetic activity on our closest star Sun modulates the space environment. In a highly magnetized medium, the magnetic loops (Coronal loops) show complex activities driven by the surface motion of plasma which leads to restructuring of magnetic fields resulting in an eruption of energetic particles into interplanetary medium. Such events despite creating beautiful auroras, pose a threat to telecommunications systems, astronuts, space assets, and power grids among other undesirable effects. With an increasing dependency on space-reliant technologies, we must develop a robust system to predict the onset of such eruptive events which will enable us to take precautionary measures.
Modeling the evolution of the large-scale magnetic field through numerical simulations inspired by multi-spacecraft observations will help us understand and predict the evolution. My doctoral thesis is focused on studying the solar magnetic field dynamics at different layers and deriving connections to its impact at a global scale on the heliosphere at different spatio-temporal scales. Long-term analysis of the global solar magnetic field through a less resource-intensive model based on physically transparent assumptions is the goal of my research. As a part of my current research, I am involved in studying the long-term solar coronal magnetic field evolution, surface magnetic field dynamics, polar field evolution, and solar wind simulation.
Publications
- Dash, Soumyaranjan, Nandy, Dibyendu, Usoskin, Ilya, “Long-term forcing of the Sun’s coro- nal field, open flux and cosmic ray modulation potential during grand minima, maxima and regular activity phases by the solar dynamo mechanism”, 2023, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societ, Volume 525, Issue 4, November 2023, Pages 4801–4814, https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stad1807
- Dash, Soumyaranjan, Bhowmik, Prantika, Athira, B. S., Ghosh, Nirmalya, and Nandy, Dibyendu, “Prediction of the Sun’s Coronal Magnetic Field and Forward-modeled Polarization Character- istics for the 2019 July 2 Total Solar Eclipse”, 2020, Astrophysical Journal, 890 37, https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab6a91
- Pal, Sanchita, Dash, Soumyaranjan, and Nandy, Dibyendu , “Flux Erosion of Magnetic Clouds by Reconnection With the Sun’s Open Flux”, 2020, Geophysical Research Letters, 47, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL086372
- Dash, Soumyaranjan, and Nandy, Dibyendu , “A Magnetofrictional model for the solar corona”, 2018, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 13 (S340), 87-88, https://doi.org/10.1017/S174392131800159X
- Nandy, Dibyendu, Martens, PCH, Obridko, V, Dash, Soumyaranjan, and Georgieva, K, “Solar evolution and extrema: current state of understanding of long-term solar variability and its planetary impacts”, 2021, Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, 8 (1), 1-21, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-021-00430-x
- Nandy, Dibyendu, Bhowmik, Prantika, Yeates, Anthony R, Panda, Suman, Tarafder Rajashik, and Dash, Soumyaranjan, “The Large-scale Coronal Structure of the 2017 August 21 Great American Eclipse: An Assessment of Solar Surface Flux Transport Model Enabled Predictions and Observations”, 2018, Astrophysical Journal, 853 (1), 72, https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/aaa1eb
Affiliations
- Ifa Maui, University of Hawaii
Soumyaranjan Dash