This well-illustrated monograph is devoted to classic fundamentals, current practice, and perspectives of modern plasma astrophysics. The first part of the book is unique in covering all the basic principles and practical tools required for understanding and work in plasma astrophysics. The second part represents the physics of magnetic reconnection and flares of electromagnetic origin in space plasmas in the solar system, single and double stars, relativistic objects, accretion disks, their coronae. The level of the book is designed mainly for professional researchers in astrophysics. The book will also be interesting and useful to graduate students in space sciences, geophysics, as well as to advanced students in applied physics and mathematics seeking a unified view of plasma physics and fluid mechanics.
Author(s): Boris V. Somov
Series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library Pt. 2
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 430
Front Matter......Page 1
Contents......Page 7
Reconnection and Flares: Introduction......Page 14
Magnetic Reconnection......Page 18
Reconnection in a Strong Magnetic Field......Page 34
Evidence of Reconnection in Solar Flares......Page 60
The Bastille Day 2000 Flare......Page 90
Electric Currents Related to Reconnection......Page 112
Models of Reconnecting Current Layers......Page 142
Reconnection and Collapsing Traps in Solar Flares......Page 166
Solar-type Flares in Laboratory and Space......Page 206
Particle Acceleration in Current Layers......Page 224
Structural Instability of Reconnecting Current Layers......Page 250
Tearing Instability of Reconnecting Current Layers......Page 282
Magnetic Reconnection and Turbulence......Page 310
Reconnection in Weakly-Ionized Plasma......Page 332
Magnetic Reconnection of Electric Currents......Page 352
Epilogue......Page 378
Appendix 1: Acronyms......Page 380
Appendix 2: Notation......Page 382
Appendix 3: Useful Formulae......Page 384
Appendix 4: Constants......Page 388
Bibliography......Page 390
Index......Page 420
