Charles Smith

Charles Smith is a Research Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), part of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the College of William and Mary, and has extensive research expertise in space plasma physics, with a focus on solar wind dynamics, magnetospheric processes, and turbulence in space plasmas.

Education:

• Ph.D., Physics, College of William and Mary
• M.S., Physics, College of William and Mary
• B.S., Physics, University of Maryland

Research Interests: Charles specializes in analyzing data from space missions such as the Van Allen Probes and Voyager spacecraft. His work addresses fundamental questions about solar wind turbulence, magnetic reconnection, and the interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere. Key topics include EMIC wave generation, radiation belt dynamics, and the design of multi-spacecraft missions like HelioSwarm to study heliospheric turbulence.

Recent Research Trends: His publications highlight advancements in understanding plasma waves, interplanetary structures, and the role of multi-spacecraft observations. Recent work emphasizes the need for near-Earth heliospheric measurements and the analysis of solar wind turbulence across vast heliocentric distances (1–45 AU).

Grants & Collaborations: He has collaborated with institutions like NASA and the National Science Foundation, contributing to projects such as the SWFO-L1 mission and the Space Weather Underground (SWUG) program. His work often involves interdisciplinary teams analyzing large-scale datasets to model space weather phenomena.

Labs & Teams: Affiliated with UNH's Space Science Center, he leverages advanced instrumentation like the EMFISIS suite on the Van Allen Probes to conduct cutting-edge research. His team focuses on advancing our understanding of plasma dynamics in space.