International Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics – Serie

Expanding upon the ideas first proposed in his seminal book Cosmical Magnetic Fields, Eugen N. Parker here offers the first in-depth treatment of the magnetohydrodynamic theory of spontaneous magnetic discontinuities. In detailing his theory of the spontaneous formation of tangential discontinuities (current sheets) in a magnetic field embedded in highly conducting plasma, Parker shows how it can be used to explain the activity of the external magnetic fields of planets, stars, interstellar gas clouds, and galaxies, as wellas themagnetic fields in laboratory plasmas. Provocative and fascinating, this book presents a bold new theory that will excite interest and discussion throughout the space physics community.

Spacecraft have explored the interplanetary medium between the orbits of Mercury and Pluto, revealing the exotic and beautiful nature of the environment of our planet and sun. This book summarizes the principle results of these historic expeditions. Magnetohydrodynamics provides the framework for interpreting the observations, and the observations have greatly enriched the subject of magnetohydrodynamics. Numerous figures in the book illustrate the essential observations and fundamental concepts. Simple equations summarize basic physical and phenomenological relations observed in the interplanetary medium. Fundamental objects observed in the interplanetary medium include various types of MHD shocks, tangenital and rotational discontinuities, and force-free field configurations. Fundamental processes observed in the interplanetary medium include the interaction among shocks (which can be classified using catastrophic theory), the formation of merged interaction region regions associated with various types of flows, the destruction of flows, the growth of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and formation of a heliospheric vortex street, the development of multifractal fluctuations on various scales, and the evolution of multifractal intermittent turbulence. These physical objects and processes are of fundamental interest in themselves. The knowledge about them derived from interplanetary investigations has applications to magnetospheric physics, solar physics, cosmic ray physics and astrophysics. The book contains an extensive set of reference that gives the readers access to the detailed results in the literature.

The magnetosphere is the region in which the solar wind interacts with the Earth's magnetic field, the zone which screens the Earth from most of the harmful cosmic rays which daily bombard it. The Aurora Borealis, or Norhun lights, other such phenourena result from the interaction of particles in the solar wind and the magnetosphere.Planetary physicists, geophysicists, plasma astrophysicists, and scientists involved with astronautics all have a primary interest in the configuration and dynamics of the magnetosphere, and much research is devoted to convection (the circulation of solarwind plastma in the magnetiosphere) and substorms, which are linked to the aurorae and thought to stimulate convection. In this book, one of the leading scientists in the field presents a synthesis of current knowledge on convection and substorms and proposes that the Planetary physicists, geophysicists, plasma astrophysicists, and scientists involved with astronautics all have a primary interest in the configuration and dynamics of the magnetosphere, and much research is devoted to convection (the circulation of solarwind plastma in the magnetiosphere) and substorms, which are linked to the aurorae and thought to stimulate convection. In this book, one of the leading scientists in the field presents a synthesis of current knowledge on convection and substorms and proposes that the steady reconnection model be replaced by a model of multiple tail reconnection events, in which many mutually interdependent reconnections occur.

This book provides a comprehensive survey of modern molecular astrophysics. It includes an introduction to molecular spectroscopy and then addresses the main areas of current molecular astrophysics, including galaxy formation, star forming regions, mass loss from young as well as highly evolved stars and supernovae, starburst galaxies plus the tori and discs near the central engines of active galactic nuclei. All chapters have been written by invited authors who are acknowledged experts in their fields. The thorough editorial process has ensured a uniformly high standard of exposition and a coherent style. The book is unique in giving a detailed view of its wide-ranging subject. It will provide the standard introduction for research students in molecular astrophysics. The book will be read by research astronomers and astrophysicists who wish to broaden the basis of their knowledge or are moving their activities into this burgeoning field. It will enable chemists to learn the astrophysics most related to chemistry as well as instruct physicists about the molecular processes most important in astronomy.