This book describes a great variety of significant space plasma processes and the eminent influence that in particular magnetic processes have on the formation, structure and development of objects in our solar system. Supported by vivid graphics, real shots and links to video sequences, all these processes are, while being didactically prepared, explained thoroughly with few mathematical derivations. The book is written mainly for students, but also for amateurs or scientists from various fields interested in space science. It appeals to those who may want to gain a comprehensive overview of the far-reaching impacts of magnetic fields, on many things in our solar system, or beyond in extrasolar planetary systems and stars in the distant universe.

The topics discussed here, with emphasis on magnetism, comprise the structure and dynamics of the solar system and its objects, the solar interior and atmosphere, the time-variable solar activity, the solar wind, processes in the heliosphere and planetary magnetospheres, as well as space weather. Scientific instruments, experiments and measurement methods are presented, with the help of which solar and plasma physicists, astrophysicists and planetary scientists can today gain their deep and fascinating insights. Theoretical and numerical results are interpreted and recent observations are explained, which were made by modern telescopes on Earth and obtained by satellites in space, through either optical remote-sensing and or in-situ plasma measurements.

Discusses the important influences of magnetic fields on most diverse physical processes in our solar system Covers magnetic effects in the Sun, the heliosphere, planetary magnetospheres and space weather Without major mathematical derivations, yet supported by extensive image- and video-material

Autorentext

was Eckart Marsch is a retired Senior Research Scientist (C3) at the Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung (MPS), retired Extraordinary Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Göttingen und retired Senior Research Scientist at the IEAP of the Christian-Albrechts-University at Kiel, 2012. He studied physics at the Universities of Karlsruhe, Berlin and Kiel. He was awarded Dipl.-Phys. (theoretical condensed matter physics), University of Kiel, 1973 Dr. rer. nat. (theoretical condensed matter physics), University of Kiel, 1976 Habilitation (astronomy and astrophysics), University of Göttingen, 1990 Call for full professorship (C4) for Extraterrestrial Physics at the University of Kiel, 1999 Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, 2009 Hannes Alfven Medal of the European Geosciences Union, 2018 He was research staff at the MPI für Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, 1976-1980, research staff and senior scientist (C3) at the Max Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, Lindau, 1980-2004, and senior research scientist at the Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung, 2004-2012 Lecturer and Co-editor of eight books and of four international scientific journals (1991-2015) (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckart_Marsch). Ulrich von Kusserow studied physics and mathematics at the Clausthal University of Technology and astrophysics at the Georg-August University in Göttingen. His Diploma thesis was on "Stationary spherical - -dynamos and the Earth's magnetic field" He worked as a teacher of physics and mathematics and was chairman of the amateur astronomical Olbers Society e. V. Bremen. He worked at the Institute for Didactics of Physics at the University of Potsdam and was head of the advanced practical experiment "Observation of the Magnetic Sun" at the University of Bremen. He is a Lecturer and author (ulrich-von-kusserow.de)

Inhalt

Prologue Living with a magnetic star.- Historical notes concerning magnetism in the solar system.- Genesis and development of the solar system.- Scientific research instruments and methods.- The magnetic Sun.- The solar wind and heliospheric interaction processes.- Planetary magnetic fields.- Comets and polar lights.- Investigation of space weather and earth climate.- Life on the magnetic planet Earth.- Epilogue Astrophysical relevance of heliophysical processes.- Glossary.- Index.