Physics of Solar System Plasmas

Erscheinungsjahr 2004
ISBN: 978-0-521-61194-7
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 495 Seiten, Format (B × H): 189 mm x 246 mm, Gewicht: 950 g

Reihe: Cambridge Atmospheric and Space Science Series

Physics of Solar System Plasmas provides a comprehensive introduction to the plasma physics and magnetohydrodynamics that are needed to study the solar wind and magnetosphere. The text includes a broad introduction to plasma physics, including important discussions of kinetic theory, single particle motion, magnetohydrodynamics, geomagnetically trapped energetic particles and the physics of magnetic reconnection. This leads into a thorough description of the Sun and the solar wind, and, finally, the author addresses magnetospheric physics. Among the topics covered here are magnetospheric morphology, bow shocks, magnetospheric convection and electrical currents, substorms, ionospheric physics, magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, auroral physics and the interaction of the solar wind with the planets. Problem sets at the end of each chapter make this a useful text for advanced undergraduate students in astrophysics, geophysics, or atmospheric sciences. Graduate students and researchers will also find it a valuable source of information.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Cravens, Thomas E.

Dessler, Alexander J.

Houghton, John T.

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Physik Angewandte Physik Astrophysik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Thermodynamik Plasmaphysik
• Naturwissenschaften Astronomie Astrophysik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Space physics; 2. Introduction to kinetic theory; 3. Single particle motion and geomagnetically trapped particles; 4. Magnetohydrodynamics; 5. Solar physics; 6. The solar wind; 7. The interaction of the solar wind, planets and other solar system bodies; 8. The magnetosphere; Appendix.