Electron Acceleration in the Aurora and Beyond / Edition 1

by D Bryant

Overview

How do electrons that stream into the high atmosphere from above to create the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis acquire the necessary speeds and energies?

‘Electron Acceleration in the Aurora and Beyond’ explores this and other mysteries concerning the acceleration of electrons in the Earth’s magnetosphere, in the solar wind, at the Sun, at an ‘artificial comet’, and in the Cosmos. The author has had first-hand experience of exploring all of these areas and has pioneered the transition, which now seems to be complete, from the static to the dynamic theory of acceleration. He writes in a conversational style, inviting the reader into the discussion which ranges from the motion of charged particles in electromagnetic fields to the statistical mechanics of interactions between plasma waves and charged particles.

The book is copiously illustrated with more than 170 figures and colour plates. Questions, exercises, and computer programs are provided to stimulate further thinking.

‘This is an absolute jewel of an introduction to the subject.’ Journal of Plasma Physics

‘His book is an excellent starting point for those about to embark on studies in space science.’ The Observatory

‘…the community should thank him for having written it.’ Eos, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780750305334
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/01/1998
Pages:	340
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Accelerator principles. The arena. Electron acceleration in the Aurora. Electron acceleration at the Earth's bow shock Electron acceleration in the neighbourhood of artificial comets. Electron acceleration in solar wind events. Electron acceleration at the terrestrial magnetopause. Electron acceleration in the Earth's magnetosphere. Electron acceleration at the Sun. Electron acceleration in the Cosmos. Reflections

Editorial Reviews

Here are some selections from the excellent reviews which appeared in scientific journals in the areas of geophysics, space physics, plasma physics and astronomy.
"This is a delightful book. The first chapter alone provides the reader with quite a good conceptual grasp of classical mechanics as it applies to space plasma research. Bryant has taken good advantage of the present opportunity to put his concept of auroral electron acceleration firmly on record, and I think the community will benefit from seeing his thoughts on this matter systematically expressed. I recommend the book highly. I think it is instructive, informative, and (of course) provocative. ....the community should thank him for having written it.."
Eos, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union.
"[The book] is to be recommended to anyone interested in electron acceleration anywhere between himself and the sun. The first chapter can be enjoyed by almost any classical physicist."
Journal of Plasma Physics
"This book has a very welcome 'hands-on' approach.....Bryant makes the reader think more seriously about wave-particle interactions as a primary acceleration mechanism. His book is an excellent starting point for those about to embark on studies of space science."
The Observatory
"There is much here to consider — particularly for researchers involved in the field."
Astronomy Now
"The author makes a persuasive case that acceleration in the aurora, and in other plasma environments accessible to in situ measurements, involves some form of wave turbulence."
Nuclear Fusion
"This is a delightful book, in which the author uses mainly words and diagrams to provide clear explanations of a large variety of space plasma topics ... I recommend this book highly. I think it is instructive, informative, and (of course) provocative ... Duncan Bryants books reveals many valuable insights, and the community should thank him for having written it."
Michael Schulz, space Physics Department, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, Palo Alto
in EOS, the newspaper of the Geophysical Sciences
"...there is much here to consider - particularly for researchers involved in the field ... the author has taken great care to explain the underlying physics clearly and in detail."
".. the existence of such kind of book is very important".
Il Nuovo Cimento
e some selections from the excellent reviews which appeared in scientific journals in the areas of geophysics, space physics, plasma physics and astronomy.
"This is a delightful book. The first chapter alone provides the reader with quite a good conceptual grasp of classical mechanics as it applies to space plasma research. Bryant has taken good advantage of the present opportunity to put his concept of auroral electron acceleration firmly on record, and I think the community will benefit from seeing his thoughts on this matter systematically expressed. I recommend the book highly. I think it is instructive, informative, and (of course) provocative. ....the community should thank him for having written it.."
Eos, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union.
"[The book] is to be recommended to anyone interested in electron acceleration anywhere between himself and the sun. The first chapter can be enjoyed by almost any classical physicist."
Journal of Plasma Physics
"This book has a very welcome 'hands-on' approach.....Bryant makes the reader think more seriously about wave-particle interactions as a primary acceleration mechanism. His book is an excellent starting point for those about to embark on studies of space science."
The Observatory
"There is much here to consider — particularly for researchers involved in the field."
Astronomy Now
"The author makes a persuasive case that acceleration in the aurora, and in other plasma environments accessible to in situ measurements, involves some form of wave turbulence."
Nuclear Fusion
"This is a delightful book, in which the author uses mainly words and diagrams to provide clear explanations of a large variety of space plasma topics ... I recommend this book highly. I think it is instructive, informative, and (of course) provocative ... Duncan Bryants books reveals many valuable insights, and the community should thank him for having written it."
Michael Schulz, space Physics Department, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, Palo Alto
in EOS, the newspaper of the Geophysical Sciences
"...there is much here to consider - particularly for researchers involved in the field ... the author has taken great care to explain the underlying physics clearly and in detail."
".. the existence of such kind of book is very important".
Il Nuovo Cimento

From the Publisher

Explores the physics, mathematics, and mystery of the and other phenomena involving acceleration of electrons in the magnetosphere, in solar wind, at the sun, and in the cosmos. Presents a new approach to the subject by treating the acceleration medium as a plasma, and illustrates theory with quantitative formulae, experiments, practical demonstrations, and computer programs. Theory is further illustrated by comparing acceleration in space with particle accelerators in a nuclear physics laboratory. Includes exercises with answers. For space scientists. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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