Ebook: Cosmic Plasma Physics

of the approximation at hand will be outlined from the viewpoint of physics rather than of many possible astronomical applications. After that, as an aid to detailed understanding, please return with pencil and paper to work out the missing steps (if any) in the formal mathematics. On the basis of such an approach the student interested in modern astro­ physics, its current practice, will find the answers to two key questions: (1) what approximation is the best one (the simplest but sufficient) for descrip­ tion of a phenomenon in cosmic plasma; (2) how tO,build an adequate model for the phenomenon, for example, a solar flare. Practice is really important for understanding the theory of cosmic plasma. Related exercises (problems and answers supplemented to each chapter) to improve skill do not thwart the theory but serve to better understanding of cosmic plasma physics. As for the applications, preference evidently is given to physical processes in the solar plasma. Why? - Much attention to solar plasma physics is con­ the possibility of th~ all-round observational test of theoretical ditioned by models. This statement primarily relates to the processes in the solar atmo­ sphere. For instance, flares on the Sun, in contrast to those on other stars as well as a lot of other analogous phenomena in the Universe, can be seen in their development, i. e.

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The scope of this book is not typical of the majority of texts in cosmic plasma physics. The consecutive consideration of physical principles, starting from the most general ones, and simplifying assumptions allows students interested in astronomy to find the answers to two key questions: (1) what approximation is the simplest, but still sufficient for the description of a phenomenon in cosmic plasmas, and (2) how to build an adequate model of this phenomenon.
Astronomers of the future will need such tools. Astronomy of the future will become an increasingly more precise science, similar to physics or plasma physics. This is what the book aims to teach.

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The scope of this book is not typical of the majority of texts in cosmic plasma physics. The consecutive consideration of physical principles, starting from the most general ones, and simplifying assumptions allows students interested in astronomy to find the answers to two key questions: (1) what approximation is the simplest, but still sufficient for the description of a phenomenon in cosmic plasmas, and (2) how to build an adequate model of this phenomenon.
Astronomers of the future will need such tools. Astronomy of the future will become an increasingly more precise science, similar to physics or plasma physics. This is what the book aims to teach.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xix
Introduction....Pages 1-4
Particles and Fields: Exact Self-Consistent Description....Pages 5-20
A Statistical Description of Cosmic Plasma....Pages 21-50
Propagation of Accelerated Particles in Cosmic Plasma....Pages 51-74
The Motion of a Particle in Given Fields....Pages 75-116
Wave-Particle Interactions in Cosmic Plasma....Pages 117-136
Coulomb Collisions of Particles in Cosmic Plasma....Pages 137-166
A Hydrodynamic Description of Cosmic Plasma....Pages 167-196
Magnetohydrodynamics of Cosmic Plasma....Pages 197-224
Cosmic Plasma Flows in a Strong Magnetic Field....Pages 225-246
MHD Waves in Cosmic Plasma....Pages 247-260
Discontinuous Flows in a MHD Medium....Pages 261-290
Evolutionarity of MHD Discontinuities....Pages 291-314
Particle Acceleration by Shock Waves....Pages 315-337
Cosmic Plasma Equilibrium in Magnetic Field....Pages 339-362
Stationary Flows in a Magnetic Field....Pages 363-388
Magnetic Reconnection in Current Sheets....Pages 389-431
Stationary Models of Reconnecting Current Sheets....Pages 433-461
Particle Acceleration in Current Sheets....Pages 463-486
Structural Instability of Reconnecting Current Sheets....Pages 487-516
The Tearing Instability of a Reconnecting Current Sheet....Pages 517-543
Selected Trends in Cosmic Plasma Physics....Pages 545-569
Magnetic Reconnection of Electric Currents....Pages 571-591
Epilogue....Pages 593-594
Back Matter....Pages 595-652

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The scope of this book is not typical of the majority of texts in cosmic plasma physics. The consecutive consideration of physical principles, starting from the most general ones, and simplifying assumptions allows students interested in astronomy to find the answers to two key questions: (1) what approximation is the simplest, but still sufficient for the description of a phenomenon in cosmic plasmas, and (2) how to build an adequate model of this phenomenon.
Astronomers of the future will need such tools. Astronomy of the future will become an increasingly more precise science, similar to physics or plasma physics. This is what the book aims to teach.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xix
Introduction....Pages 1-4
Particles and Fields: Exact Self-Consistent Description....Pages 5-20
A Statistical Description of Cosmic Plasma....Pages 21-50
Propagation of Accelerated Particles in Cosmic Plasma....Pages 51-74
The Motion of a Particle in Given Fields....Pages 75-116
Wave-Particle Interactions in Cosmic Plasma....Pages 117-136
Coulomb Collisions of Particles in Cosmic Plasma....Pages 137-166
A Hydrodynamic Description of Cosmic Plasma....Pages 167-196
Magnetohydrodynamics of Cosmic Plasma....Pages 197-224
Cosmic Plasma Flows in a Strong Magnetic Field....Pages 225-246
MHD Waves in Cosmic Plasma....Pages 247-260
Discontinuous Flows in a MHD Medium....Pages 261-290
Evolutionarity of MHD Discontinuities....Pages 291-314
Particle Acceleration by Shock Waves....Pages 315-337
Cosmic Plasma Equilibrium in Magnetic Field....Pages 339-362
Stationary Flows in a Magnetic Field....Pages 363-388
Magnetic Reconnection in Current Sheets....Pages 389-431
Stationary Models of Reconnecting Current Sheets....Pages 433-461
Particle Acceleration in Current Sheets....Pages 463-486
Structural Instability of Reconnecting Current Sheets....Pages 487-516
The Tearing Instability of a Reconnecting Current Sheet....Pages 517-543
Selected Trends in Cosmic Plasma Physics....Pages 545-569
Magnetic Reconnection of Electric Currents....Pages 571-591
Epilogue....Pages 593-594
Back Matter....Pages 595-652
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