Space Physics
An Introduction

This textbook provides advanced undergraduates and graduates with up-to-date coverage of space physics from the Sun to the interstellar medium.

C. T. Russell (Author), J. G. Luhmann (Author), R. J. Strangeway (Author)

9781107098824, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 July 2016

512 pages, 325 b/w illus. 19 tables 98 exercises
25.3 x 19.5 x 2.6 cm, 1.22 kg

'As this is an update to an earlier text published in 1995, some chapters have been thoroughly revised while others replaced but the essence is still the same. The authors have designed it to include all the required material, enough for a two-semester graduate course. Each chapter comes with a set of carefully selected additional readings with reasons why they are of interest given; and problem sets, some of which are in the form of lab exercises that are entirely online. The book does not stop at solar-terrestrial problems; the effects of solar wind on other planets and planetary aurora are discussed as well. Apart from graduate students, other parties that will find it a good investment are new lecturers of advanced undergraduate plasma physics course looking to get their hands on a comprehensive text for their lectures or existing ones needing to update their repertoire.' B. Ishak, Contemporary Physics

This textbook, derived from courses given by three leading researchers, provides advanced undergraduates and graduates with up-to-date coverage of space physics, from the Sun to the interstellar medium. Clear explanations of the underlying physical processes are presented alongside major new discoveries and knowledge gained from space missions, ground-based observations, theory, and modelling to inspire students. Building from the basics to more complex ideas, the book contains enough material for a two-semester course but the authors also provide suggestions for how the material can be tailored to fit a single semester. End-of-chapter problems reinforce concepts and include computer-based exercises specially developed for this textbook package. Free access to the software is available via the book's website and enables students to model the behavior of magnetospheric and solar plasma. An extensive glossary recaps new terms and carefully selected further reading sections encourage students to explore advanced topics of interest.

Preface
1. Solar terrestrial physics: the evolution of a discipline
2. The upper atmosphere and ionosphere
3. Physics of magnetized plasmas
4. The Sun and its atmosphere
5. The solar wind and heliosphere
6. Collisionless shocks
7. Solar wind interaction with magnetized obstacles
8. Plasma interactions with unmagnetized bodies
9. Solar wind magnetosphere coupling
10. The terrestrial magnetosphere
11. The aurora
12. Planetary magnetospheres
13. Plasma waves
Appendix 1. Notation, vector identities, and differential operators
Appendix 2. Fundamental constants and plasma parameters of space physics
Appendix 3. Geophysical coordinate transformations
Appendix 4. Time series analysis techniques
Glossary
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Solar system: the Sun & planets [PGS], Astronomy, space & time [PG]