Convection and Substorms: Paradigms of Magnetospheric Phenomenology

by Charles F. Kennel

Overview

The magnetosphere is the region where cosmic rays and the solar wind interact with the Earth's magnetic field, creating such phenomena as the northern lights and other aurorae. The configuration and dynamics of the magnetosphere are of interest to planetary physicists, geophysicists, plasma astrophysicists, and to scientists planning space missions. The circulation of solar wind plasma in the magnetosphere and substorms have long been used as the principle paradigms for studying this vital region. Charles F. Kennel, a leading scientist in the field, here presents a synthesis of the convection and substorm literatures, and an analysis of convection and substorm interactions; he also suggests that the currently accepted steady reconnection model may be advantageously replaced by a model of multiple tail reconnection events, in which many mutually interdependent reconnections occur. Written in an accessible, non-mathematical style, this book introduces the reader to the exciting discoveries in this fast-growing field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195085297
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/08/1996
Series:	International Series on Astronomy and Astrophysics , #2
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.50(h) x 1.32(d)

About the Author

Charles F. Kennel is Professor of Physics at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Teardrop Magnetosphere
3. The Bell-Like Magnetosphere
4. The Viscous Magnetosphere
5. The Reconnecting Magnetosphere
6. Correlation of Geomagnetic Activity with the Solar Wind
7. The Reconnection System
8. Bursty Magnetopause Reconnection and its Consequences
9. Bimodal Plasma Flow Sheet Flow
10. Convection for Northward Interplanetary Field
11. The Nightside Auroral Oval
12. The Auroral Substorm
13. The Geosynchronous and Auroral Substorms
14. Coordination of the Geosynchronous and Auroral Substorms
15. Triggered Substorms
16. On the Relation Between Convection and Substorms
17. Epilogue
References

Editorial Reviews

"... a well-supported claim of a shift in paradigm from the old quasi-steady picture of convection to a new, much more dynamic one .... Primarily, however, it provides enjoyment and stimulation for the educated reader, and I highly recommend it to all colleagues interested in the topic." —Eos

From the Publisher