Space Physics: An Introduction to Plasmas and Particles in the Heliosphere and Magnetospheres (Advanced Texts in Physics)

The first edition of this book sold within a relatively short time span of about two years. Nevertheless, this second edition is not just a corrected and updated reprint but has also seen a couple of changes. First of all, SI units are adopted throughout. Equations often used for estimates also are given in the older but still commonly used cgs system. Thus, the reader can choose what suits best. Second, there were a lot of larger and smaller flaws in the first printing which have been corrected. I greatly appreciate the hints and comments given by Andre Balogh, R. A. Cairns, Stanley H. Cowley, Roman Hatzky, Eberhard Moebius, Reinhold Muller-Mellin, Constantinos Paizes, Wilfried Schroder, C. L. Waters, and, last but not least, Gerd Wibberenz. All these people not only helped reduce the numbers of errors but also made valuable sugges­ tions on better or clearer explanations, topics to cover in more depth, and misleading wording and sentences. I have gratefully taken their suggestions and incorporated them into this edition. For the remaining errors, I take sole responsibility. If you find such a flaw, or have additional suggestions for improvements, please send a brief note to mkallenr@uni-osnabrueck. de. Aside from these minor, though important, modifications there are also some larger changes. The Phenomena Of Space Physics Are Complex And Their Understanding Often Requires The Integration Of Different Concepts. To Help The Beginner, This Book Uses A New Methodolo- Gical Approach. The First Chapters Introduce Simple Concepts Of Plasma Physics And Describe Where These Can Be Applied In Space Physics. Subsequent Chapters Are Devoted To More Complex Observations, Interpreted In Terms Of The Concepts Introduced Earlier. New, More Difficult, Concepts Are Introduced As They Are Required. Thus Observations And Physical Concepts Are Interwoven To Give Basic Explanations Of Phenomena And Also Show The Limitations In These Explanations And Identify Some Fundamental Questions. This Second Edition Has Been Updated And Extended. Improvements Include: The Use Of Si Units; Addition Of Recent Results From Soho And Ulysses; Improved Treatment Of The Magnetosphere As A Dynamic Phenomenon; Text Restructured To Provide A Closer Coupling Between Basic Physical Concepts And Observed Complex Phenomena. 1. Introduction -- 2. Charged Particles In Electromagnetic Fields -- 3. Magnetohydrodynamics -- 4. Plasma Waves, 5. Kinetic Theory, 6. Sun And And Solar Wind: Plasmas In The Heliosphere -- 7. Energetic Particles In The Heliosphere -- 8. The Terrestrial Magnetosphere -- 9. Planetary Magnetospheres -- 10. Solar-terrestrial Relationships -- 11. Instrumentation -- 12. Science In A Complex Environment. By May-britt Kallenrode. Observations and physical concepts are interwoven to give basic explanations of phenomena and also show the limitations in these explanations and identify some fundamental questions. Compared to conventional plasma physics textbooks this book focuses on the concepts relevant in the large-scale space plasmas. It combines basic concepts with current research and new observations in interplanetary space and in the magnetospheres. Graduate students and young researchers starting to work in this special field of science, will find the numerous references to review articles as well as important original papers helpful to orientate themselves in the literature. Emphasis is on energetic particles and their interaction with the plasma as examples for non-thermal phenomena, shocks and their role in particle acceleration as examples for non-linear phenomena. This second edition has been updated and extended. Improvements include: the use of SI units; addition of recent results from SOHO and Ulysses; improved treatment of the magnetosphere as a dynamic phenomenon; text restructured to provide a closer coupling between basic physical concepts and observed complex phenomena. Front Matter....Pages I-XV Introduction....Pages 1-8 Charged Particles in Electromagnetic Fields....Pages 9-30 Magnetohydrodynamics....Pages 31-64 Plasma Waves....Pages 65-86 Kinetic Theory....Pages 87-101 Sun and Solar Wind: Plasmas in the Heliosphere....Pages 103-158 Energetic Particles in the Heliosphere....Pages 159-216 The Terrestrial Magnetosphere....Pages 217-284 Planetary Magnetospheres....Pages 285-302 Solar—Terrestrial Relationships....Pages 303-320 Instrumentation....Pages 321-332 Back Matter....Pages 333-367