Solar science has evolved rapidly over the past decade as the results of a new generation of solar space missions have become available. This book provides a thorough introduction to the subject of solar physics, based on those observations. The author introduces the solar corona, which has a temperature of several million degrees, and sets it in the context of basic plasma physics before moving on to discuss plasma instabilities and plasma heating processes. The latest results on coronal heating and radiation, fundamental processes in all stars, are presented. Spectacular phenomena such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections are described in detail, with their potential effects on the Earth. The author gathers observations made at many wavelengths from hard X-rays, soft X-rays, extreme UV and radio wavelengths. This paperback study edition includes 50 pages of problems and solutions which will much enhance the value of the book to students.

Problems and Solutions for Students now included in this paperback edition Draws on the most recent observations of solar phenomena obtained by the current generation of space missions, and includes the very latest imaging material most consistent with current observations Incorporates all the new results and discoveries made and presents them in a systematic form, suitable for students and researchers Includes high quality data and previously unseen images obtained as a result of the author's access to the data archives of all current solar space missions

Inhalt
Thermal Radiation.- Hydrostatics.- Hydrodynamics.- Magnetic Fields.- Magneto-Hydrodynamics (MHD).- MHD Oscillations.- Propagating MHD Waves.- Coronal Heating.- Magnetic Reconnection.- Particle Acceleration.- Particle Kinematics.- Hard X-Rays.- Gamma-Rays.- Radio Emission.- Flare Plasma Dynamics.- Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).