Aurora


Book Description

During long winter nights, the light of the aurora borealis appears over the sparcely populated north. Little is known, however, about these dazzling displays of ghostly light and movement. The author discusses the history, mythology, and science behind auroras. Demonstrating the influence of the sun in the aurora's creation, he also compares the northern lights with phenomena such as lightning and rainbows. Lavishly illustrated with numerous color and black and white pictures, Aurora offers a comprehensive understanding of a mysterious dynamic that has fascinated and even alarmed northern communities through the ages.




Aurora


Book Description

This new book addresses a gap in the literature, offering an explanation of the aurora's causes, how the occurrence of major events may now be predicted, and how amateur observers can go about recording displays. This is the first serious book about aurora written for practical but non-professional observers. It provides a concise accessible description of the various auroral forms and how to record them, illustrated with color images of recent displays. It contains details of 'Space Weather' forecasting websites, how to interpret and use the information given on these, and how to anticipate auroral activity.




Geomagnetism


Book Description

Geomagnetism, Volume 4 focuses on the processes, methodologies, technologies, and approaches involved in geomagnetism, including electric fields, solar wind plasma, pulsations, and gravity waves. The selection first offers information on solar wind, magnetosphere, and the magnetopause of the Earth. Discussions focus on magnetopause structure and transfer processes, magnetosphere electric fields, geomagnetically trapped radiation, microstructure of the solar wind plasma, and hydro magnetic fluctuations and discontinuities. The text then examines geomagnetic tail, neutral upper atmosphere, and geomagnetic pulsations and plasma waves in the Earth's magnetosphere. Topics include plasma waves and instabilities in the magnetosphere, waves in a magneto plasma, gravity waves, atmospheric tides, balance equations for mass, momentum and energy, and absorption of solar and particle radiation. The publication takes a look at auroras and physical processes producing magnetosphere substorms and magnetic storms, including aurora theory and morphology, structure of the magnetosphere, and models of magnetosphere substorms. The selection is a valuable source of data for researchers wanting to explore geomagnetism. Covers upper atmosphere physics, the magnetosphere, and solar wind Expert team of contributors from all over the world The fourth volume of the only comprehensive treatise covering all aspects of geomagnetism




Space Physics


Book Description

Observations and physical concepts are interwoven to give basic explanations of phenomena and also show the limitations in these explanations and identify some fundamental questions. Compared to conventional plasma physics textbooks this book focuses on the concepts relevant in the large-scale space plasmas. It combines basic concepts with current research and new observations in interplanetary space and in the magnetospheres. Graduate students and young researchers starting to work in this special field of science, will find the numerous references to review articles as well as important original papers helpful to orientate themselves in the literature. Emphasis is on energetic particles and their interaction with the plasma as examples for non-thermal phenomena, shocks and their role in particle acceleration as examples for non-linear phenomena. This second edition has been updated and extended. Improvements include: the use of SI units; addition of recent results from SOHO and Ulysses; improved treatment of the magnetosphere as a dynamic phenomenon; text restructured to provide a closer coupling between basic physical concepts and observed complex phenomena.




Alfvén Waves and Static Fields in Magnetosphere/ionosphere Coupling


Book Description

Perturbation electric and magnetic fields carry in excess of 10(exp10) to 10(exp12) W of electrical power between the magnetosphere and high-latitude ionosphere. Most of this power is generated by the solar wind. The ionosphere at large spatial and temporal scales acts as a dissipative slab which can be characterized by its height-integrated Pedersen conductivity sigma p, so that the power flux into the ionosphere due to a quasi-static electric field E is given by sigma (pE2) The energy transferred to the ionosphere by time-varying electromagnetic fields in the form of Alfven waves is more difficult to calculate because density and conductivity gradients can reflect energy. Thus, field resonances and standing wave patterns affect the magnitude and altitude distribution of electrical energy dissipation. We use a numerical model to calculate the frequency-dependent electric field reflection coefficient of the ionosphere and show that the ionosphere does not behave as a simple resistive slab for electric field time scales less than a few seconds. Time variation of spacecraft-measured high-latitude electric and perturbation magnetic fields is difficult to distinguish from spatial structuring that has been Doppler-shifted to a non-zero frequency in the spacecraft frame. However, by calculating the frequency-dependent amplitude and phase relations between fluctuating electric and magnetic fields we are able to show that low frequency fields (




Electron-Molecule Interactions and Their Applications


Book Description

Electron-Molecule Interactions and Their Applications, Volume 1 presents a comprehensive account of electron-molecule interactions in high- and ultra-high-pressure gases and liquids. Topics covered include elastic scattering of electrons by molecules; excitation, ionization, and dissociation of molecules by electron impact; electron-molecule resonances; and electron attachment and detachment processes. This volume is comprised of seven chapters and begins with a discussion on non-resonant elastic scattering and rotational excitation of molecules by electrons, followed by a review of non-resonant vibrational and electronic excitation. The reader is then introduced to resonance effects in electron scattering; electron-induced ionization and dissociation of molecules; and electron-molecule resonances. The ionization mechanisms and types of ions produced are highlighted, along with differential ionization cross sections. The final two chapters focus on electron attachment and detachment processes, paying particular attention to modes of electron capture by molecules such as via negative-ion resonant states. The collisional dynamics for a few selected atomic reactants are also described. Physicists will find this book extremely helpful.




Earth Magnetism


Book Description

An introductory guide to global magnetic field properties, Earth Magnetism addresses, in non-technical prose, many of the frequently asked questions about Earth's magnetic field. Magnetism surrounds and penetrates our Earth in ways basic science courses can rarely address. It affects navigation, communication, and even the growth of crystals. As we observe and experience an 11-year solar maximum, we may witness spectacular satellite-destroying solar storms as they interact with our magnetic field. Written by an acknowledged expert in the field, this book will enrich courses in earth science, atmospheric science, geology, meteorology, geomagnetism, and geophysics. Contains nearly 200 original illustrations and eight pages of full-color plates. * Largely mathematics-free and with a wide breadth of material suitable for general readers * Integrates material from geomagnetism, paleomagnetism, and solar-terrestrial space physics. * Features nearly 200 original illustrations and 4 pages of colour plates




Electric Currents in Geospace and Beyond


Book Description

Electric currents are fundamental to the structure and dynamics of space plasmas, including our own near-Earth space environment, or “geospace.”This volume takes an integrated approach to the subject of electric currents by incorporating their phenomenology and physics for many regions in one volume. It covers a broad range of topics from the pioneers of electric currents in outer space, to measurement and analysis techniques, and the many types of electric currents. First volume on electric currents in space in over a decade that provides authoritative up-to-date insight on the current status of research Reviews recent advances in observations, simulation, and theory of electric currents Provides comparative overviews of electric currents in the space environments of different astronomical bodies Electric Currents in Geospace and Beyond serves as an excellent reference volume for a broad community of space scientists, astronomers, and astrophysicists who are studying space plasmas in the solar system. Read an interview with the editors to find out more: https://eos.org/editors-vox/electric-currents-in-outer-space-run-the-show




The Northern Lights


Book Description

The Northern Lights: Secrets of the Aurora Borealis presents the most up-to-date information on the science, history, and mythology behind the magical light of the aurora. Illustrated throughout with stunning photographs, woodcuts depicting the wonder of the ancients, plus explanatory diagrams, charts, and satellite photographs, The Northern Lights offers a crucial guide for serious aurora watchers and casual sky gazers alike. Book jacket.