Solar Terrestrial Magnetic Activity And Space Environment

The COSPAR Colloquium on Solar-Terrestrial Magnetic Activity and Space Environment (STMASE) was held in the National Astronomy Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) in Beijing, China in September 10-12, 2001. The meeting was focused on five areas of the solar-terrestrial magnetic activity and space environment studies, including study on solar surface magnetism; solar magnetic activity, dynamical response of the heliosphere; space weather prediction; and space environment exploration and monitoring. A hot topic of space research, CMEs, which are widely believed to be the most important phenomenon of the space environment, is discussed in many papers. Other papers show results of observational and theoretical studies toward better understanding of the complicated image of the magnetic coupling between the Sun and the Earth, although little is still known little its physical background. Space weather prediction, which is very important for a modern society expanding into out-space, is another hot topic of space research. However, a long way is still to go to predict exactly when and where a disaster will happen in the space. In that sense, there is much to do for space environment exploration and monitoring. The manuscripts submitted to this Monograph are divided into the following parts: (1) solar surface magnetism, (2) solar magnetic activity, (3) dynamical response of the heliosphere, (4) space environment exploration and monitoring; and (5) space weather prediction. Papers presented in this meeting but not submitted to this Monograph are listed by title as unpublished papers at the end of this book.

This report is an introduction to solar-terrestrial phenomena for those with no special background in astrophysics or solar astronomy. Discussions of physics have been kept to a minimum, with emphasis on phenomonology instead. An individual completely unfamiliar with solar events should, after reading this volume, be able to read and understand the SESC Report and Forecast of Solar Geophysical Activity and be able to apply its contents to his particular area of concern. This volume is also intended as a quick reference work for Skylab ATM Principal Investigator Teams to assist them in using the ATM data book. For that reason, a list of abbreviations used in forecasts and observatory reports is included. Subjects discussed are solar structure and processes, solar activity, and solar-terrestrial relations. There is a brief description of the Space Environment Services Center's activities.

This book describes physical conditions in the upper atmosphere and magnetosphere of the Earth.

This books presents a brief review of modern concepts of the Sun-Earth problem and proposed physical mechanisms of solar-terrestrial relations (STR). This field covers a wide range of fundamental and actual applied problems of paramount importance (Space Weather, radiation hazard in space, functioning of space-borne and ground-based technological systems, heliobiology etc.). It is also closely tied with some general gnosiological problems. The author provides state-of-the-art information about existing problems and discusses different channels for extraterrestrial influences at the up-to-date level: electromagnetic waves and fields, total solar irradiance, solar wind, energetic solar particles, galactic cosmic rays, cosmic dust, etc. Some of the well-known and suggested STR effects and corresponding physical mechanisms are illustrated by several examples. In particular, a number of different external “signals” in observed changes of terrestrial climate and weather are considered. Especially, an expected impact of geophysical disturbances on the accuracy of some precise physical measurements and experiments is analysed. Due attention is paid to the heliobiological aspects of STR. Particular emphasis is on the multifactor nature of magneto-biological effect (MBE), its non-stationary and non-linear behaviour. The author also discusses main features of different physical mechanisms (electromagnetic fields, ionising radiation, triggers, rhythmic and resonances in solar-terrestrial systems) and their applicability to the Sun-Earth problem. The most of them are still needed in more sophisticated theoretical development and experimental confirmation. The main goals of interdisciplinary studies in this field are to determine partial impacts of solar-geomagnetic variability on the terrestrial environments and estimate (separate) relative contributions of different factors into various STR phenomena. The book is based on lectures given on advanced undergraduate level and will also benefit newcomers (physicists and engineers) to the field.