Prof Bernard Roberts

Emeritus Professor

Researcher profile

Email

br@st-andrews.ac.uk

Office

122 MI

Location

Mathematical Institute

 

Research areas

For many years I have been studying the theoretical behaviour of magnetohydrodynamic waves in an inhomogeneous medium, with particular emphasis on the Sun's atmosphere. I have extensively explored waves in magnetic flux tubes, taking into account the effects of compressibility, magnetic elasticity, and stratification. I have applied my theoretical findings to observed solar phenomena.In particular, I have recently discussed how new observations of oscillating coronal loops detected by the TRACE spacecraft can be understood in terms of theories developed here in St Andrews. The marriage of current theoretical ideas and space observations promises the development of coronal seismology, a new field which aims to determine such basic quantities as the strength of the solar coronal magnetic field through an interpretation of oscillations in coronal loops.

The work involves an expertise in mathematical modelling of complex physical systems. Such skills are likely to prove useful in a number of areas.

For further information, see the Solar and Magnetospheric MHD Theory Group

Selected publications

• MHD Waves in the Solar Atmosphere

  Roberts, B., 2019, Cambridge University Press. 508 p.

  Research output: Book/Report › Book

• Open access

  The period ratio for kink and sausage modes in a magnetic slab

  Macnamara, C. K. & Roberts, B., Feb 2011, In: Astronomy & Astrophysics. 526, 7 p., A75.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Open access

  Effects of thermal conduction and compressive viscosity on the period ratio of the slow mode

  Macnamara, C. K. & Roberts, B., Jun 2010, In: Astronomy & Astrophysics. 515, 7 p., A41.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Turbulence in the solar atmosphere and solarwind

  Petrosyan, A., Balogh, A., Goldstein, M. L., Léorat, J., Marsch, E., Petrovay, K., Roberts, B., Von Steiger, R. & Vial, J. C., Oct 2010, In: Space Science Reviews. 156, 1-4, p. 135-238 104 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Coronal seismology by means of kink oscillation overtones

  Andries, J., Van Doorsselaere, T., Roberts, B., Verth, G., Verwichte, E. & Erdélyi, R., Dec 2009, In: Space Science Reviews. 149, 1-4, p. 3-29 27 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Analytical determination of coronal parameters using the period ratio P-1/2P(2)

  McEwan, M. P., Diaz, A. J. & Roberts, B., Apr 2008, In: Experimental Astronomy. 481, p. 819-825 7 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Effect of coronal structure on loop oscillations: exponential profiles

  Diaz, A. J., Donnelly, G. R. & Roberts, B., Dec 2007, In: Experimental Astronomy. 476, p. 359-368 10 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Effect of longitudinal density structure on a straight magnetic field modelling coronal arcade oscillations

  Donnelly, G. R., Diaz, A. J. & Roberts, B., Sept 2007, In: Experimental Astronomy. 471, p. 999 13 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Comment on "Note on the initial value problemfor coronal loop kink waves" by P. S. Cally

  Ruderman, M. S. & Roberts, B., Aug 2006, In: Solar Physics. 237, p. 119-121 3 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Effect of coronal structure on loop oscillations

  Donnelly, G. R., Diaz, A. J. & Roberts, B., Oct 2006, In: Experimental Astronomy. 457, p. 707-715 9 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

 

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