The plan to hold a conference on cosmic plasma physics originated in the Plasma Physics Division of the European Physical Society, whose chairman, B. Lehnert, took the first steps towards its realization. - ESRIN readily adopted this idea, and preliminary contacts with a number of other groups showed that there was a good deal of interest in bringing to gether people working in different areas of the field of cosmic plasma physics. It was clearly felt that an exchange of views and experience, and an attempt to define problem areas, would be profitable. In this spirit a programme was de vised which covered a large variety of topics, ranging from ionospheric to galactic structures. A diversified programme of this kind runs the risk that the communication between the various fields of specialization remains insufficient. It was gratifying to find that within the wide field of cosmic plasma physics a lively dialogue was in fact possible. The Conference was sponsored by the European Physical Society. Financial support was provided by ESRO. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the excellent suggestions of the programme committee members L. Biermann, N. D'Angelo, R. Gendrin, and B. Lehnert. I should like to thank my colleagues B. Bertotti, K. Lackner, and J.F. McKenzie, and numerous other ESRIN staff members, for their valuable help. I feel particularly indebted to the conference secretary, Miss Sachs, who did the real work while I just signed the letters.

This unusual book considers physical principles, starting from the most general ones, and simplifies assumptions, helping students answer two key questions: what approximation is the simplest, but still sufficient for the description of a phenomenon in cosmic plasmas, and how to build an adequate model.

The general background of this monograph and the aim of it is described in detail in Chapter I. As stated in 1.7 it is written according to the principle that "when rigour appears to conflict with simplicity, simplicity is given preference", which means that it is intended for a rather broad public. Not only graduate students but also advanced undergraduates should be able to understand at least most of it. This monograph is the result of many years of inspiring discussions with a number of colleagues, for which I want to thank them very much. Especially I should mention the groups in Stockholm and La Jolla: in Stockholm, Dr Carl-Gunne Flilthammar and many of his collaborators, including Drs Lars Block, Per Carlqvist, Lennart lindberg, Michael Raadu, Staffan Torven, Miroslav Babic, and Itlgvar Axniis, and further, Drs Bo Lehnert and Bjorn Bonnevier, all at the Royal Institute of Technology. Of other col leagues in Sweden, I should mention Dr Bertel Laurent, Stockholm University, Dr Aina Elvius, The Stockholm Observatory, and Dr Bengt Hultqvist, Kiruna. In La Jolla my thanks go first of all to Dr Gustaf Arrhenius, who once invited me to La Jolla, which was the start of a most interesting collaboration; further, to Dr W.B.

Plasma Astrophysics is a translation from the Russian language; the topics discussed are based on lectures given by V.N. Tsytovich at several universities. The book describes the physics of the various phenomena and their mathematical formulation connected with plasma astrophysics. This book also explains the theory of the interaction of fast particles plasma, their radiation activities, as well as the plasma behavior when exposed to a very strong magnetic field. The text describes the nature of collective plasma processes and of plasma turbulence. One author explains the method of elementary excitation which he has developed. The book also discusses the sporadic radio-emission of the sun, galactic nuclei, radio-galaxies, quasars, and pulsars. The book explains that problems involving terrestrial plasma can be split into parts; in astrophysics, the approach is different. For example, particle acceleration is determined by turbulence spectra that in turn depends on the energy distribution of the accelerated particles. The authors also give theoretical results based on many calculations analysis of observational data: Tsytovich contributes new theoretical calculations. This book can prove helpful for nuclear scientists and researchers working with plasma physics or astro-physics.

During the past decade our understanding of plasma physics has witnessed an explosive growth due to research in two areas: work directed toward controlled nuclear fusion and work in space physics. This book addresses the growing need to apply these complementary discoveries to astrophysics. Today plasma is recognized as the key element to understanding the generation of magnetic fields in planets, stars and galaxies, the accel- eration and transport of cosmic rays, and many other phenomena occurring in interstellar space, in radio galaxies, stellar atmospheres, quasars, and so forth.

This book explores the ponderomotive wave forces of space plasma, which have implications for a large number of cosmic plasma phenomena. Plasma is a state of matter comprising an equal amount of negative (electrons) and positive (ions) charged particles. The ionized state is the dominating state of matter in the cosmos for stars, galaxies and their corresponding intermediate regions. This book discusses the plasma state and its corresponding theoretical implications based on the analysis of space plasma data. The theory of ponderomotive forcing offers a most important tool for the analysis of “in situ” plasma data of acceleration processes in the terrestrial and Martian plasma environment. In addition, the solar wind interaction with objects in the solar system also provides a roadmap for the analysis and interpretations of other stellar and galactic objects, out of reach for direct “in-situ” measurements.

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 118. The magnetosphere is an open system that interacts with the solar wind. In this system, solar wind energy continuously permeates different regions of the magnetosphere through electromagnetic processes, which we can well describe in terms of current systems. In fact, our ability to use various methods to study magnetospheric current systems has recently prompted significant progress in our understanding of the phenomenon. Unprecedented coverage of satellite and ground?]based observations has advanced global approaches to magnetospheric current systems, whereas advanced measurements of electromagnetic fields and particles have brought new insights about micro?]processes. Increased computer capabilities have enabled us to simulate the dynamics not only of the terrestrial magnetosphere but also the magnetospheres of other planets. Based on such developments, the present volume revisits outstanding issues about magnetospheric current systems.