Convection and substorms
Subtitle: paradigms of magnetospheric phenomenology
By: Charles F. Kennel.
Series: International series on astronomy and astrophysics ;; 2
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 1995
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 408
Subjects: Magnetosphere; Magnetospheric substorms; Convection (Meteorology)
Description: The magnetosphere is the region where cosmic rays and the solar wind interact with the Earth's magnetic field, creating such phenomena as the northern lights and other aurorae. The configuration and dynamics of the magnetosphere are of interest to planetary physicists, geophysicists, plasma astrophysicists, and to scientists planning space missions. The circulation of solar wind plasma in the magnetosphere and substorms have long been used as the principle paradigms for studying this vital region. Charles F. Kennel, a leading scientist in the field, here presents a synthesis of the convection and substorm literatures, and an analysis of convection and substorm interactions; he also suggests that the currently accepted steady reconnection model may be advantageously replaced by a model of multiple tail reconnection events, in which many mutually interdependent reconnections occur. Written in an accessible, non-mathematical style, this book introduces the reader to the exciting discoveries in this fast-growing field.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [311]-401) and index.