Cosmic Plasma Physics

This unusual book considers physical principles, starting from the most general ones, and simplifies assumptions, helping students answer two key questions: what approximation is the simplest, but still sufficient for the description of a phenomenon in cosmic plasmas, and how to build an adequate model.

The general background of this monograph and the aim of it is described in detail in Chapter I. As stated in 1.7 it is written according to the principle that "when rigour appears to conflict with simplicity, simplicity is given preference", which means that it is intended for a rather broad public. Not only graduate students but also advanced undergraduates should be able to understand at least most of it. This monograph is the result of many years of inspiring discussions with a number of colleagues, for which I want to thank them very much. Especially I should mention the groups in Stockholm and La Jolla: in Stockholm, Dr Carl-Gunne Flilthammar and many of his collaborators, including Drs Lars Block, Per Carlqvist, Lennart lindberg, Michael Raadu, Staffan Torven, Miroslav Babic, and Itlgvar Axniis, and further, Drs Bo Lehnert and Bjorn Bonnevier, all at the Royal Institute of Technology. Of other col leagues in Sweden, I should mention Dr Bertel Laurent, Stockholm University, Dr Aina Elvius, The Stockholm Observatory, and Dr Bengt Hultqvist, Kiruna. In La Jolla my thanks go first of all to Dr Gustaf Arrhenius, who once invited me to La Jolla, which was the start of a most interesting collaboration; further, to Dr W.B.

During the past decade our understanding of plasma physics has witnessed an explosive growth due to research in two areas: work directed toward controlled nuclear fusion and work in space physics. This book addresses the growing need to apply these complementary discoveries to astrophysics. Today plasma is recognized as the key element to understanding the generation of magnetic fields in planets, stars and galaxies, the accel- eration and transport of cosmic rays, and many other phenomena occurring in interstellar space, in radio galaxies, stellar atmospheres, quasars, and so forth.

The plan to hold a conference on cosmic plasma physics originated in the Plasma Physics Division of the European Physical Society, whose chairman, B. Lehnert, took the first steps towards its realization. - ESRIN readily adopted this idea, and preliminary contacts with a number of other groups showed that there was a good deal of interest in bringing to gether people working in different areas of the field of cosmic plasma physics. It was clearly felt that an exchange of views and experience, and an attempt to define problem areas, would be profitable. In this spirit a programme was de vised which covered a large variety of topics, ranging from ionospheric to galactic structures. A diversified programme of this kind runs the risk that the communication between the various fields of specialization remains insufficient. It was gratifying to find that within the wide field of cosmic plasma physics a lively dialogue was in fact possible. The Conference was sponsored by the European Physical Society. Financial support was provided by ESRO. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the excellent suggestions of the programme committee members L. Biermann, N. D'Angelo, R. Gendrin, and B. Lehnert. I should like to thank my colleagues B. Bertotti, K. Lackner, and J.F. McKenzie, and numerous other ESRIN staff members, for their valuable help. I feel particularly indebted to the conference secretary, Miss Sachs, who did the real work while I just signed the letters.

This edited collection of papers by pioneering experts was a standard text throughout the 1960s and 70s. A timeless introduction to foundations of plasma physics and a valuable source of historic context. 1961 edition.

Designed to teach plasma physics and astrophysics 'from the ground up', this textbook proceeds from the simplest examples through a careful derivation of results and encourages the reader to think for themselves.

Solar and space physics is the study of solar system phenomena that occur in the plasma state. Examples include sunspots, the solar wind, planetary magnetospheres, radiation belts, and the aurora. While each is a distinct phenomenon, there are commonalities among them. To help define and systematize these universal aspects of the field of space physics, the National Research Council was asked by NASA's Office of Space Science to provide a scientific assessment and strategy for the study of magnetized plasmas in the solar system. This report presents that assessment. It covers a number of important research goals for solar and space physics. The report is complementary to the NRC report, The Sun to the Earthâ€"and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy for Solar and Space Physics, which presents priorities and strategies for future program activities.