Magnetic Reconnection: MHD Theory and Applications - Softcover

Priest, Eric; Forbes, Terry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521033942 ISBN 13: 9780521033947

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2007

Synopsis

Magnetic reconnection is at the core of many dynamic phenomena in the universe, such as solar flares, geomagnetic substorms and tokamak disruptions. Written by two world leaders on the subject, this volume provides a comprehensive overview of this fundamental process. Coverage gives both a pedagogical account of the basic theory and a wide-ranging review of the physical phenomena created by reconnection--from laboratory machines, the Earth's magnetosphere, and the Sun's atmosphere to flare stars and astrophysical accretion disks. It also includes a succinct account of particle acceleration by electric fields, stochastic fields and shock waves, and how reconnection can be important in these mechanisms. Clearly written and highly accessible, this volume serves as an essential introduction for graduate students in solar physics, astrophysics, plasma physics and space science. Researchers in these fields also will find Magnetic Reconnection an authoritative reference.

About this title

Book Description:

Magnetic reconnection is at the core of many dynamic phenomena in the universe. This authoritative volume, written by two world leaders on the subject, gives the first comprehensive overview of this fundamental process. It provides a pedagogical introduction to the theory, and a wide-ranging review of its applications--from laboratory machines, the Earth's magnetosphere, and the Sun's atmosphere to flare stars and astrophysical accretion disks. The clear and pedagogical style makes this book an essential introduction for graduate students and an authoritative reference for researchers in solar physics, astrophysics, plasma physics and space science.

Review:

'Solar and stellar flares, geomagnetic sub-storms and tokamak (toroidal magnetic chamber) disruptions are amongst the most dynamic reconnection phenomena studied today. there are few areas of astrophysics in the broader Universe, too, which do not involve reconnection. Two renowned experts in the field have set out the modern approach to this fascinating and universal topic. Vital reading for students and researchers.' Irish Astronomical Journal

'The clear and logical style makes this book an essential introduction for graduate students and an authoritative reference for researchers in solar physics, astrophysics, plasma physics and space science.' Europe & Astronomy

'... will provide a very welcome systematization of a vast and tangled literature, whose interrelationships are not always very obvious.' S. W. H. Cowley, Contemporary Physics

'This timely book meets a welcome need ... [It] provides in a single place an encyclopedic study to which people will be able to refer for yours, to gain an overall picture of the papers published in this field over the past decade or two ... a truly valuable contribution to our understanding of reconnection physics.' Russell M. Kulsrud, Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics

'Anyone working in one of these fields should at least look at the phenomena described in this book, which offers a wide panorama of reconnection scenarios.' Journal of Plasma Physics

'This book, written by two real experts in the field, presents in a clear and logical way an overview of the reconnection process, its theory and applications ... an excellent book for graduate students intending to work ion any of these fields, and an indispensable handbook for researchers, solar physicists in particular.' Zdenek Svestka, Solar Physics

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0521033942
• ISBN 13: 9780521033947
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 616