In the early years of the twentieth century, Victor Hess of Germany flew instruments in balloons and so discovered in 1912 that an extra-~errestial radiation of unknown origin is incident on the earth with an almost constant intensity at all times. These penetrating non solar radiations which were called Cosmic Rays by Millikan, USA, opened the new frontier of space physics and many leading scientists were attracted to it. At the end of World War II a number of space vehicles, e.g. stratospheric balloons, rockets and satellites were developed. In 1950 and onwards, these vehicles enabled spectacular advances in space physics and space astrophysics. New horizons were opened in the explorations of cosmic rays, the earth's magnetosphere, the Sun and the heliosphere, the moon and the planets. Using space-borne instruments, exciting discoveries were made of stars, and galaxies in the infra-red, ultra violet, x-ray and gamma-ray wavelengths. In this text book these fascinating new findings are presented in depth and on a level suitable for senior undergraduate and graduate students, research scientists and scientists of other disciplines. Although there are several excellent books and monographs on different aspects, most of these deal with specific areas. In this text book the findings of space physics and astrophysics are presented in an integrated manner with proper introductions to the fundamental aspects, and these are supplemented by relevant ground based observations.

Klappentext

This textbook provides an introduction to the fundamentals of space physics and astrophysics and covers the recent progress in various aspects of these fields. In the introductory Chapter 1, a brief historical account of space research is given, followed by short reviews of the space vehicles used and some aspects of the early years of space research. In Chapter 2, the reader is introduced to the discoveries of the radiation belts and the magnetosphere of the Earth. Chapter 3 begins with the phenomena of the quiet Sun, followed by processes in the active Sun (solar flares, radio bursts and X-ray, gamma-ray and neutron emissions). In Chapters 4 and 5, attention is paid to the physical features and properties of large bodies and aggregates in the matter of the solar system, emphasising discoveries obtained from spacecraft. In Chapter 6 solar energetic particles are presented, bringing out their dual role - as a sample of accelerated matter from the Sun and as a sensitive probe of the interplanetary fields in the heliosphere. Chapter 7 presents a discussion on galactic cosmic rays, explaining the basic features and main findings. Highlights of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and possible origins are included. Chapter 8 presents exciting results of extreme UV, infra-red, X-rays and gamma-rays from space. These are followed by outlines of the new vistas of cosmological problems as revealed by the cosmic background measurements of X-rays, gamma-rays and microwaves. In Chapter 9, the reader is introduced to the physical and dynamical properties of the interstellar medium. This chapter concludes with the astrophysical aspects of the search for the origin of life. In the concluding Chapter 10 some general trends and future directions are briefly presented. The level of presentation is aimed at senior undergraduate students who are familiar with introductory physics. Graduate students will find more advanced topics discussed through their underlying features. Each chapter is followed by a number of problems; solving these will enable students to obtain a good grasp of the topics.

Inhalt
1 Introduction to Space Research.- 1.1 Early History of Space Physics.- 1.2 The New Space Age and Global Plans.- 1.3 Space Vehicles and Space Physics.- 1.4 Problems on Chapter 1.- 2 The Magnetosphere of the Earth.- 2.1 Early Concepts.- 2.2 Experimental Methods in Space Studies and Observations.- 2.3 The Structure of the Magnetosphere.- 2.4 Motion of Charged Particles in the Magnetosphere.- 2.5 The Radiation Belts of the Earth.- 2.6 Heavy Ions in the Magnetosphere of the Earth.- 2.7 Problems on Chapter 2.- 3 The Sun and the Heliosphere.- 3.1 The Sun and Space Astrophysics.- 3.2 Sunspots and the Solar Cycles.- 3.3 Solar Wind.- 3.4 Solar and Interplanetary Magnetic Fields.- 3.5 The Active Sun.- 3.6 The Outer Heliosphere.- 3.7 Problems on Chapter 3.- 4 The Moon and the Planets.- 4.1 The Moon.- 4.2 Space Missions and Planetary Exploration.- 4.3 Inner Planets.- 4.4 The Asteroid Belt.- 4.5 Outer Planets.- 4.6 Problems on Chapter 4.- 5 Comets, Meteorites and the origin of the Solar System.- 5.1 Comets and Cometary Probes.- 5.2 The Oort Cloud and the Origin of Comets.- 5.3 Meteorites.- 5.4 Interplanetary Dust.- 5.5 The Origin and Early History of the Solar System.- 5.6 Problems on Chapter 5.- 6 Solar Energetic Particles.- 6.1 General Features and Early Observations.- 6.2 Observational Methods and Early Results.- 6.3 Properties of Energetic Solar Particles.- 6.4 Coronal and Interplanetary Propagation of SEP.- 6.5 Solar Energetic Particles in the Distant Past.- 6.6 Acceleration of Particles in the Sun.- 6.7 Problems on Chapter 6.- 7 Galactic Cosmic Rays.- 7.1 Early Studies and General Features.- 7.2 Interactions of Cosmic Rays with Matter.- 7.3 Methods of Studies of Cosmic Ray Nuclei.- 7.4 Properties of Cosmic Rays and their Implications.- 7.5 Cosmic Ray Propagation in Interplanetary Space.- 7.6 Cosmic Ray Propagation in Interstellar Space.- 7.7 Origin of Cosmic Rays.- 7.8 Problems on Chapter 7.- 8 Space Astrophysics.- 8.1 New Astrophysics from Space Observatories.- 8.2 New Windows to the Universe.- 8.3 Cosmology from Space.- 8.4 Problems on Chapter 8.- 9 The Interstellar Medium (ISM).- 9.1 General Features.- 9.2 Large Scale Dynamical Processes.- 9.3 Physical Features of the ISM.- 9.4 Interstellar Dust.- 9.5 Interstellar Molecules.- 9.6 Organic Molecules in Large Molecular Clouds.- 9.7 The Origin of Life: Terrestrial vs Extra Terrestrial.- 9.8 Problems on Chapter 9.- 10 Concluding Remarks.- References.