A/Prof. Colin Waters

Biography

16 years experience in space physics research and tertiary teaching. Research has spanned the areas of ultra-low frequency (ULF) plasma wave signatures, associated mathematical modeling of ULF wave effects in the ionosphere and magnetosphere, and the dynamics of the auroral currents and electromagnetic energy budget derived from the Iridium constellation magnetometer and SuperDARN radar data. Designed and operated induction and fluxgate magnetometer systems and was data manager for the NewMag payload on FedSat, developing algorithms to provide error-free timing of that data. Have ~70 peer reviewed publications in space physics, awarded ~$4M in ARC-DP and LEIF funding, supervised 15 MSc and PhD students and am an associate editor of Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle, 1993
• Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Physics, Avondale College
• Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Newcastle, 1987

Research

Research keywords

• Aurora
• Computer modeling
• Digital Signal Processing
• Ionosphere physics
• Iridium satellite data
• Magnetosphere physics
• Space Physics
• radar

Research expertise

Space Physics, both experimental (data analysis) and mathematical modeling (computer modeling)

Remote sensing near Earth space plasma dynamics using ULF waves

Magnetometer design and data analyses

Gas pipeline voltage data analysis; pipeline corrosion

Modeling MHD (magnetised fluid) equations

Analysis of satellite data; magnetometer signatures and optical emissions of the aurora

Spherical harmonic fitting of Iridium magnetometer data

Birkeland currents and auroral energy deposition into the ionosphere and thermosphere

Ionosphere physics and over the horizon radar data analysis

Development of computer codes for space physics data extraction and analysis

Collaboration

• Co-Investigator on the MICE, CubeSat project at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
• Co-Investigator on CARISMA, the Canadian ground magnetometer array, for remote sensing plasma mass density in the magnetosphere
• Co-author on book contract (Wiley) on remote sensing the magnetosphere using ULF variations
• Development of spherical harmonic cap and elementary current methods applied to Iridium satellite constellation data, including the recently, NSF funded AMPERE project
• First to combine the Iridium satellite data with SuperDARN radar data to show input Poynting flux over both the northern and southern auroral zones.
• First results of Birkeland current location and intensity control by the interplanetary magnetic field (using Iridium satellite data)
• First use of Iridium, SuperDARN and ground magnetometer data to provide ionosphere conductance estimates over large spatial areas of the auroral ionosphere
• Revision of FITACF algorithm (SuperDARN) to improve spectral width estimates from radar data
• First modelling of ULF wave propagation through the ionosphere that includes inductive Hall effects and oblique geomagnetic field effects, predicted phase distortions in radio astronomy interferometer signals
• Developed time dependent, 2-D models of ULF wave propagation that includes a realistic ionosphere/atmosphere system. Present ARC-DP grant will extend this modelling to time dependent 3-D, in collaboration with University of Minnesota, USA.

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Group

Memberships

Body relevant to professional practice.

• Member - Australian Institue of Physics

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

• Member - American Geophysical Union
• Organising committee - Chapman Conference ULF waves

Learned Academy.

• Member - Australian Academy of Science NCRS (Australian Academy of Science)

Appointments

Member Australian Academy of Science NCSS Sun-Earth WG (Australia)

01/06/2006

Invitations

Reviewer Avondale College, Australia (External Reviewer - Programs.)

2002

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Administrative

Administrative expertise

Faculty computer committee; member

Faculty teaching and learning committee; member

Faculty marketing and community; Chair

Assistant Dean (Marketing and Community)

National Committee for Radio Science (Academy of Science); one of 8 members

Program convenor for B.Sc. (Photonics)

Course coordinator (PSB course in Advanced EM, 1st year physics, 2nd year Optics, 3rd year EM)

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Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Concept mapping
• Matching objectives and assessment
• Physics Laboratory experience

Teaching expertise

NSW High school mathematics and physics (up to Yr12, 2 and 3 unit)

TAFE physics and chemistry

Private tutoring; Yr12 to University maths and physics

University Level:

First year; E&M, optics, thermal physics, Atomic and Nuclear, QM, mechanics, continuum mechanics, fluids, Introduction to computing

Second Year; E&M (differential calculus), optics, thermodynamics, statistics, sports mechanics, mechanics (Lagrange and Hamiltonian), Mathematical physics, Scientific data collection (sensors) and instrumentation, Web page design

Third year; E&M, optics, digital and analog electronics

Honours; Space physics, digital signal processing

Honours; Digital Signal Processing

Masters/PhD student supervision

Programs

• Bachelor of Science