Cosmical Electrodynamics

A reprint/copy of the original - free on the internet, but published here for those who prefer reading a physical copy. Magnetic fields in cosmic physics are investigated, with special attention to plasma related phenomena. A concept of Magneto-hydrodynamic waves is proposed and investigated. A special review of solar physics is provided with magnetic storms, aurorae, and cosmic radiation all covered.

This book presents the fundamental concepts of the theory, illustrated by numerous examples of astrophysical applications. Classical concepts are combined with new developments and the authors demarcate what is well established and what is still under debate. To book illustrates how apparently complicated phenomena can be addressed and understood using well-known physical principles and equations within appropriate approximations and simplifications. For this purpose, a number of astrophysical examples are considered in greater detail than what is normally presented in a regular textbook. In particular, a number of nonlinear self-consistent models are considered, which is motivated by the latest observational data and modern theory.

Originally published in 1958, this informative textbook was primarily designed for undergraduate students and presents a classical account of cosmic electrodynamics, as well as addressing the rapid changes and growth in the field and discussing the new and emerging developments at the time of publication. Detailed, clearly written and replete with equations and diagrams, this book systematically includes a section on each major topic and explains both the physics of the subject as well as the mathematics necessary for a thorough and full understanding. Multiple topics and sub topics are considered and analysed, including the velocity-distribution method, magnetic storms and ionospheric electrodynamics. This book captures the very dynamism and vibrancy of the subject and goes into much greater detail than most physics textbooks at the time. It will be of significant value to scholars of astrophysics as well as to anyone with an interest in the history of education.

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.