An Introduction to Space Weather

by Mark Moldwin

Overview

Space weather is an emerging field of space science focused on understanding societal and technological impacts of the solar-terrestrial relationship. The Sun, which has tremendous influence on Earth's space environment, releases vast amounts of energy in the form of electromagnetic and particle radiation that can damage or destroy satellite, navigation, communication, and power distribution systems. This textbook introduces the relationship between the Sun and Earth, and shows how it impacts our technological society.

One of the first undergraduate textbooks on space weather aimed at non-science majors, An Introduction to Space Weather uses practical aspects of space weather to introduce space physics and give students an understanding of the Sun-Earth relationship. Definitions of important terms are given throughout the text. Key concepts, supplements, and review questions are given at the end of each chapter to help students understand the materials covered. This textbook is ideal for introductory space physics courses.

Each chapter includes: a list of key concepts, definitions of important terms, supplements exploring the underlying physical principles, review questions to test readers' understanding.

About the Author:
Mark Moldwin is Professor of Space Physics in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences and the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108791717
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/01/2022
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.57(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

Mark B. Moldwin is Professor of Space Physics at the Department of Earth and Space Sciences and the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles. His primary research interests are magnetospheric and heliospheric plasma physics, and pre-college space science education and outreach activities.

Table of Contents

Preface     ix
Acknowledgments     xi
What is space weather?     1
Key concepts     1
Introduction     1
Brief history     4
Impacts of space weather on society     13
Supplements     13
Problems     16
The variable Sun     17
Key concepts     17
Introduction     17
Temperature and heat     19
Radiation and convection     19
Solar structure     20
Dynamics and processes     27
Supplements     31
Problems     36
The heliosphere     37
Key concepts     37
Introduction     37
The corona and the solar wind     37
The interplanetary magnetic field     38
Coronal mass ejections     41
The outer heliosphere     42
Cosmic rays     43
Supplements     44
Problems     49
Earth's space environment     50
Key concepts     50
Introduction     50
Dipole magnetic field     50
Structure of the inner magnetosphere     52
Interaction of the solar wind and magnetosphere     54
Magnetic reconnection     55
The magnetotail     56
Plasma sheet convection     57
Dynamics of the magnetosphere     58
Supplements     62
Problems     67
Earth's upper atmosphere     68
Key concepts     68
Introduction     68
The thermosphere     68
The ionosphere     71
Ionospheric structure     72
Ionospheric variations     73
The aurora     74
Impacts on communication     75
Supplements     76
Problems     77
The technological impacts of space storms     79
Key concepts     79
Introduction     79
Satellite orbits     80
Radiation impacts on satellites     82
Radio communication and navigation impacts     85
Ground system impacts     87
Supplements     89
Problems     94
The perils of living in space     95
Key concepts     95
Introduction     95
Radiation      96
Problems of long-duration space travel     102
Living on the Moon and Mars     105
Interstellar travel     105
Supplements     106
Problems     111
Other space weather phenomena     112
Key concepts     112
Introduction     112
Climate variability and space weather     114
Asteroid and comet impacts     115
Nearby supernova     117
Supplements     118
Problems     121
Web resources     123
SI units     125
SI prefixes     127
References     128
Historical bibliography     129
Index     131

Editorial Reviews

"Highly recommended." - CHOICE

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