Space Physics: An Introduction to Plasmas and Particles in the Heliosphere and Magnetospheres (Advanced Texts in Physics) [Hardcover]

May-Britt Kallenrode (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2004 | ISBN-10: 3540206175 | ISBN-13: 978-3540206170 | Edition: Enlarged 3rd

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.        

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews of the third edition: "It’s delighting to read such a book! Not only clear and precise, it covers a huge amount of information on a vast and difficult domain. … An appendix with symbols, useful relations, numbers and 52 Internet resources is followed by a list of 573 references. … I warmly recommend this book for students, young researchers or specialists as like the author said, focus is on concepts rather than on detailed mathematical analysis. Everyone could take benefits of the reading." (Jean-Claude Jodogne, Physicalia, Vol. 57 (3), 2005)

From the Back Cover

Space is a large natural plasma laboratory offering a wealth of phenomena which range from the simple to the highly complex and non-linear. This book begins with an introduction to basic principles such as single-particle motion, magnetohydrodynamics and plasma waves. It incorporates these concepts into an analysis of complex phenomena including the sun and solar activity, shocks, interplanetary space and magnetospheres, and finally the interaction between these entities in solar-terrestrial relationships. In all these subfields of space research, special attention is paid to energetic particles. The book concludes with a brief chapter on instrumentation. In this third edition, numerous examples have been added to illustrate the basic concepts and aid the reader in applying such concepts to real world physics. In addition, recent observations (ACE, TRACE, Wind) have been included. The chapter on solar-terrestrial relationships has been expanded to introduce the current research topic of Space Weather.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Springer; Enlarged 3rd edition (April 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540206175
• ISBN-13: 978-3540206170
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #903,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and unique book on space physics, June 5, 2011

By 

Charles W. Smith (Newark, DE USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Space Physics: An Introduction to Plasmas and Particles in the Heliosphere and Magnetospheres (Advanced Texts in Physics) (Paperback)

May-Britt Kallenrode's book "Space Physics" is a unique overview of the field, which might more correctly be titled "Space Plasma Physics". Plasma physics is the study of how ionized gases can behave in a collective manner rather than simply as a collection of individual particles behaving in an unrelated manner. The field attempts to explain much of solar physics, the interplanetary medium, the interaction of the solar wind with the planets, the interstellar medium, and the interaction of the solar wind with the interstellar plasma. It explains the appearance of a comet's tail in the night sky and the aurora at northern latitudes. It can also explain why solar eruptions can lead to the destruction of satelites, the endangerment of astronauts, and the loss of electricity in cities at moderate to high latitudes. Of course, this just scratches the surface of a broad and rich subject that stands on the borders with astronomy and astrophysics.

What is most unique in Kallenrode's book is her treatment of the solar wind, cosmic radiation, and related topics. Few other sources take up this subject where many others focus on the Earth's magnetosphere. For both student and professors working in the subject, I think the book is uniquely well-written, orderly, and instructive. I gave copies of the book to all my students upon graduation this year.

There is one word of caution: the second edition contained a great many typographical errors, although I found no outright mistakes. The third edition seems to have corrected these errors, although I would be careful when reading it. As I say to my students: don't believe anything until you have worked it out for yourself. This might be especially true of an excellent text in space physics containing some annoying typographical errors.