Physics of the Space Environment

A self-contained, comprehensive introduction to the physical phenomena that result from the interaction of the Sun and the planets.

Tamas I. Gombosi (Author)

9780521607681, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 19 August 2004

360 pages, 99 b/w illus.
24.5 x 18.8 x 2.1 cm, 0.619 kg

'… a valuable resource for helping introduce graduate students to space physics, and for presenting to specialists in various branches of the field a broad overview of many of the theoretical concepts applied in space physics.' World Meteorological Organization Bulletin

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the physical phenomena that result from the interaction of the sun and the planets - often termed space weather. Physics of the Space Environment explores the basic processes in the Sun, in the interplanetary medium, in the near-Earth space, and down into the atmosphere. The first part of the book summarizes fundamental elements of transport theory relevant for the atmosphere, ionosphere and the magnetosphere. This theory is then applied to physical phenomena in the space environment. The fundamental physical processes are emphasized throughout, and basic concepts and methods are derived from first principles. This book is unique in its balanced treatment of space plasma and aeronomical phenomena. Students and researchers with a basic mathematics and physics background will find this book invaluable in the study of phenomena in the space environment.

Preface
Part I. Theoretical Description of Gases and Plasmas: 1. Particle orbit theory
2. Kinetic theory
3. Basic plasma phenomena
4. Fluid and MHD theory
5. Waves and oscillations
6. Shocks and discontinuities
7. Transport of superthermal particles
Part II. The Upper Atmosphere: 8. The terrestrial upper atmosphere
9. Airglow and aurora
10. The ionosphere
Part III. Sun-Earth connection: 11. The Sun
12. The solar wind
13. Cosmic rays and energetic particles
14. The terrestrial magnetosphere
Appendices: A. Physical constants
B. Vector and tensor identities and operators
C. Some important integrals
D. Some useful special functions.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB]