Microphysics Of Cosmic Plasmas

Presents a comprehensive review of physical processes in astrophysical plasmas. This title presents a review of the detailed aspects of the physical processes that underlie the observed properties, structures and dynamics of cosmic plasmas. An assessment of the status of understanding of microscale processes in all astrophysical collisionless plasmas is provided. The topics discussed include turbulence in astrophysical and solar system plasmas as a phenomenological description of their dynamic properties on all scales; observational, theoretical and modelling aspects of collisionless magnetic reconnection; the formation and dynamics of shock waves; and a review and assessment of microprocesses, such as the hierarchy of plasma instabilities, non-local and non-diffusive transport processes and ionisation and radiation processes. In addition, some of the lessons that have been learned from the extensive existing knowledge of laboratory plasmas as applied to astrophysical problems are also covered. This volume is aimed at graduate students and researchers active in the areas of cosmic plasmas and space science. Originally published in Space Science Reviews journal, Vol. 278/2-4, 2013.

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.

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.

This book offers eleven coordinated reviews on multi-scale structure formation in cosmic plasmas in the Universe. Observations and theories of plasma structures are presented in all relevant astrophysical contexts, from the Earth’s magnetosphere through heliospheric and galactic scales to clusters of galaxies and the large scale structure of the Universe. Basic processes in cosmic plasmas starting from electric currents and the helicity concept governing the dynamics of magnetic structures in planet magnetospheres, stellar winds, and relativistic plasma outflows like pulsar wind nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei jets are covered. The multi-wavelength view from the radio to gamma-rays with modern high resolution telescopes discussed in the book reveals a beautiful and highly informative picture of both coherent and chaotic plasma structures tightly connected by strong mutual influence. The authors are all leading scientists in their fields, making this book an authoritative, up‐to‐date and enduring contribution to astrophysics.

Recent results from high-energy scattering and theoretical developments of string theory require a change in our understanding of the basic structure of space-time. This book is about the advancement of ideas on the stochastic nature of space-time from the 1930s onward. In particular, the author promotes the concept of space as a set of hazy lumps, first introduced by Karl Menger, and constructs a novel framework for statistical behaviour at the microlevel. The various chapters address topics such as space-time fluctuation and random potential, non-local fields, and the origin of stochasticity. Implications in astro-particle physics and cosmology are also explored. Audience: This volume will be of interest to physicists, chemists and mathematicians involved in particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology.

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.

During the past few decades, plasma science has witnessed a great growth in laboratory studies, in simulations, and in space. Plasma is the most common phase of ordinary matter in the universe. It is a state in which ionized matter (even as low as 1%) becomes highly electrically conductive. As such, long-range electric and magnetic fields dominate its behavior. Cosmic plasmas are mostly associated with stars, supernovae, pulsars and neutron stars, quasars and active galaxies at the vicinities of black holes (i.e., their jets and accretion disks). Cosmic plasma phenomena can be studied with different methods, such as laboratory experiments, astrophysical observations, and theoretical/computational approaches (i.e., MHD, particle-in-cell simulations, etc.). They exhibit a multitude of complex magnetohydrodynamic behaviors, acceleration, radiation, turbulence, and various instability phenomena. This Special Issue addresses the growing need of the plasma science principles in astrophysics and presents our current understanding of the physics of astrophysical plasmas, their electromagnetic behaviors and properties (e.g., shocks, waves, turbulence, instabilities, collimation, acceleration and radiation), both microscopically and macroscopically. This Special Issue provides a series of state-of-the-art reviews from international experts in the field of cosmic plasmas and electromagnetic phenomena using theoretical approaches, astrophysical observations, laboratory experiments, and state-of-the-art simulation studies.