Space Physics

An Introduction

C. T. Russell, J. G. Luhmann, R. J. Strangeway

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN:
  9781107098824
• eBook ISBN:
  9781316478462
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Meteorology & Climatology

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.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title page
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Contents
• 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 Auroras
• 12 Planetary magnetospheres
• 13 Plasma waves
• Appendix A.1 Notation, vector identities, and differential operators
• Appendix A.2 Fundamental constants and plasma parameters of space physics
• Appendix A.3 Geophysical coordinate transformations
• Appendix A.4 Time series analysis techniques
• Glossary
• References
• Index