Plasma Astrophysics

✍ Scribed by Boris V. Somov (auth.)

• Publisher: Springer New York
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 860
• Series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library 341
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This well-illustrated monograph is devoted to classic fundamentals, current practice, and perspectives of modern plasma astrophysics. The first part is unique in covering all the basic principles and practical tools required for understanding and working in plasma astrophysics. The second part presents the physics of magnetic reconnection and flares of electromagnetic origin in space plasmas within the solar system; single and double stars, relativistic objects, accretion disks, and their coronae are also covered. This book is designed mainly for professional researchers in astrophysics. However, it will also be interesting and useful to graduate students in space sciences, geophysics, as well as advanced students in applied physics and mathematics seeking a unified view of plasma physics and fluid mechanics.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter....Pages i-xxvi
Plasma Astrophysics....Pages 1-2
Particles and Fields: Exact Self-Consistent Description....Pages 3-18
Statistical Description of Interacting Particle Systems....Pages 19-33
Weakly-Coupled Systems with Binary Collisions....Pages 35-53
Propagation of Fast Particles in Plasma....Pages 55-77
Motion of a Charged Particle in Given Fields....Pages 79-102
Adiabatic Invariants in Astrophysical Plasma....Pages 103-114
Wave-Particle Interaction in Astrophysical Plasma....Pages 115-132
Coulomb Collisions in Astrophysical Plasma....Pages 133-161
Macroscopic Description of Astrophysical Plasma....Pages 163-181
Multi-Fluid Models of Astrophysical Plasma....Pages 183-192
The Generalized Ohm’s Law in Plasma....Pages 193-204
Single-Fluid Models for Astrophysical Plasma....Pages 205-222
Magnetohydrodynamics in Astrophysics....Pages 223-241
Plasma Flows in a Strong Magnetic Field....Pages 243-262
MHD Waves in Astrophysical Plasma....Pages 263-275
Discontinuous Flows in a MHD Medium....Pages 277-303
Evolutionarity of MHD Discontinuities....Pages 305-326
Particle Acceleration by Shock Waves....Pages 327-341
Plasma Equilibrium in Magnetic Field....Pages 343-365
Stationary Flows in a Magnetic Field....Pages 367-391
Reconnection and Flares: Introduction....Pages 392-395
Magnetic Reconnection....Pages 396-411
Reconnection in a Strong Magnetic Field....Pages 412-437
Evidence of Reconnection in Solar Flares....Pages 438-467
The Bastille Day 2000 Flare....Pages 468-489
Electric Currents Related to Reconnection....Pages 490-518
Models of Reconnecting Current Layers....Pages 519-542
Reconnection and Collapsing Traps in Solar Flares....Pages 543-581
Solar-type Flares in Laboratory and Space....Pages 582-598
Particle Acceleration in Current Layers....Pages 599-624
Structural Instability of Reconnecting Current Layers....Pages 625-655
Tearing Instability of Reconnecting Current Layers....Pages 656-682
Magnetic Reconnection and Turbulence....Pages 683-704
Reconnection in Weakly-Ionized Plasma....Pages 705-723
Magnetic Reconnection of Electric Currents....Pages 724-748
Epilogue....Pages 749-750
Back Matter....Pages 751-842

✦ Subjects

Astrophysics;Atoms and Molecules in Strong Fields, Plasma Physics;Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Sciences;Astronomy