Ionospheres
Physics, Plasma Physics, and Chemistry

Describes the physical, plasma and chemical processes controlling ionospheres, upper atmospheres and exospheres, for researchers and graduates.

Robert Schunk (Author), Andrew Nagy (Author)

9780521877060, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 August 2009

628 pages
25.4 x 17.9 x 3.2 cm, 1.4 kg

'This excellent book's utility as both a graduate-level textbook and reference book for active researchers fills a much-needed niche in presenting the expansive topic of ionospheric physics and chemistry.' EOS

This combination of text and reference book describes the physical, plasma and chemical processes controlling the behaviour of ionospheres, upper atmospheres and exospheres. It summarises the structure, chemistry, dynamics and energetics of the terrestrial ionosphere and other solar system bodies, and discusses the processes, mechanisms and transport equations for solving fundamental research problems. This second edition incorporates new results, model developments and interpretations from the last ten years. It includes the latest material on neutral atmospheres; the terrestrial ionosphere at low, middle and high latitudes; and planetary atmospheres and ionospheres, where results from recent space missions have yielded fresh data. Appendices outline physical constants, mathematical formulas, transport coefficients, and other important parameters for ionospheric calculations. This is an essential resource for researchers studying ionospheres, upper atmospheres, aeronomy and plasma physics. It is also an ideal textbook for graduate-level courses, with supplementary problem sets, and solutions for instructors at www.cambridge.org/9780521877060.

1. Introduction
2. Space environment
3. Transport equations
4. Collisions
5. Simplified transport equations
6. Wave phenomena
7. Magnetohydrodynamic formulation
8. Chemical processes
9. Ionization and energy exchange processes
10. Neutral atmospheres
11. The terrestrial ionosphere at middle and low latitudes
12. The terrestrial ionosphere at high latitudes
13. Planetary ionospheres
14. Ionospheric measurement techniques
Appendix A. Physical constants and conversions
Appendix B. Vector relations and operators
Appendix C. Integrals and transformations
Appendix D. Functions and series expansions
Appendix E. System of units
Appendix F. Maxwell transfer equations
Appendix G. Collision models
Appendix H. Maxwell velocity distribution
Appendix I. Semilinear expressions for transport coefficients
Appendix J. Solar fluxes and relevant cross sections
Appendix K. Atmospheric models
Appendix L. Scalars, vectors, dyadics and tensors
Appendix M. Radio wave spectrum
Appendix N. Simple derivation of continuity equation
Appendix O. Numerical solution for F-region ionisation
Index.

Subject Areas: Earth sciences, geography, environment, planning [R], Atmospheric physics [PHVJ], Solar system: the Sun & planets [PGS]