Introduction to Space PhysicsMargaret G. Kivelson, Christopher T. Russell All aspects of space plasmas in the Solar System are introduced and explored in this text for senior undergraduate and graduate students. Introduction to Space Physics provides a broad, yet selective, treatment of the complex interactions of the ionized gases of the solar terrestrial environment. The book includes extensive discussion of the Sun and solar wind, the magnetized and unmagnetized planets, and the fundamental processes of space plasmas including shocks, plasma waves, ULF waves, wave particle interactions, and auroral processes. The text devotes particular attention to space plasma observations and integrates these with phenomenological and theoretical interpretations. Highly coordinated chapters, written by experts in their fields, combine to provide a comprehensive introduction to space physics. Based on an advanced undergraduate and graduate course presented in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles, the text will be valuable to both students and professionals in the field. |
Contents
CONTENTS | |
PHYSICS OF SPACE PLASMAS | |
THE SUN AND ITS MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS | |
THE SOLAR WIND | |
COLLISIONLESS SHOCKS | |
Determining the ShockNormal Direction | |
Additional Reading | |
Problems | |
PLASMA WAVES | |
MAGNETOSPHERIC DYNAMICS | |
THE AURORA AND THE AURORAL IONOSPHERE | |
THE MAGNETOSPHERES OF THE OUTER PLANETS | |
Notation Vector Identities and Differential | |
Fundamental Constants and Plasma Parameters | |
Geophysical Coordinate Transformations | |
References | |
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Common terms and phrases
accelerated Alfvén Alfvén speed Alfvén wave altitude andthe angle approximately atmosphere auroral average axis boundary layer bow shock changes Chapter charged particles collisionless collisions component constant convection coordinate system corona current sheet dayside density diffusion dipole direction discussed dispersion relation distance distribution downstream drift dynamic earth electric field electromagnetic electrons emissions energy equation equatorial plane field lines fluid flux tube frequency gradient gyroradius increases instability interaction interplanetary inthe ionization ionosphere ions latitude lobe Mach number magnetic field magnetic pressure magnetic reconnection magneticfield lines magneticfield strength magnetopause magnetosheath magnetosphere magnetotail measured momentum motion moving neutral normal observed ofthe orbit parallel parameters perpendicular perturbations phase planetary plasma sheet plasmasphere polar cap produced propagation protons radiation reconnection region rotation shown in Figure shows solar wind solution space spacecraft speed substorm surface tail temperature thermal tothe upstream variations vector velocity waves xline