E-Book Overview
This combination of text and reference book describes the physical, plasma and chemical processes controlling the behavior of ionospheres, upper atmospheres and exospheres. It summarizes the structure, chemistry, dynamics and energetics of the terrestrial ionosphere and other solar system bodies, and discusses the processes, mechanisms and transport equations for solving fundamental research problems. This second edition incorporates new results, model developments and interpretations from the last 10 years. It includes the latest material on neutral atmospheres; the terrestrial ionosphere at low, middle and high latitudes; and planetary atmospheres and ionospheres, where results from recent space missions have yielded fresh data. Appendices outline physical constants, mathematical formulas, transport coefficients, and other important parameters for ionospheric calculations. This is an essential resource for researchers studying ionospheres, upper atmospheres, aeronomy and plasma physics. It is also an ideal textbook for graduate-level courses, with supplementary problem sets, and solutions for instructors at www.cambridge.org/9780521877060.
E-Book Content
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Ionospheres Physics, Plasma Physics, and Chemistry Second Edition This combination of text and reference book provides a comprehensive description of the physical, plasma, and chemical processes controlling the behavior of ionospheres, upper atmospheres and exospheres. It describes in detail the relevant processes, mechanisms, and transport equations that are required to solve fundamental research problems. Our current understanding of the structure, chemistry, dynamics, and energetics of the terrestrial ionosphere is summarized in two chapters, while that of other solar system bodies is outlined in a separate chapter. The final chapter of the book is devoted to relevant in-situ and remote measurement techniques. This second edition incorporates the results, model developments, and interpretations from the last ten years, both in the text and through the addition of new figures and references. In particular, it includes new material on neutral atmospheres, on the terrestrial ionosphere at low, middle, and high latitudes, and on planetary atmospheres and ionospheres, where results from recent space missions have yielded a wealth of new data. Extensive appendices (including an additional four for this edition) provide information about physical constants, mathematical formulas, transport coefficients, and other important parameters needed for ionospheric calculations. The book forms an extensive and lasting volume for researchers studying ionospheres, upper atmospheres, aeronomy, and plasma physics, and is an ideal textbook for graduate-level courses. Problem sets are provided, for which solutions are available to instructors online at www.cambridge.org/9780521877060. Cambridge Atmospheric and Space Science Series Editors: J. T. Houghton, M. J. Rycroft, and A. J. Dessler This series of upper-level texts and research monographs covers the physics and chemistry of different regions of the Earth’s atmosphere, from the troposphere and stratosphere, up through the ionosphere and magnetosphere, and out to the interplanetary medium. Ro b e r t W. S c h u n k is Professor of Physics and the Director of the Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences at Utah State University. He is also a co-founder and the President of Space Environment Corporation, a small high-tech company in Logan, Utah. He has over 35 years of experience in theory, numerical modeling, and data analysis in the general areas of plasma physics, fluid mechanics, kinetics, space physics, and planetary ionospheres and atmospheres. He has been a Principal Investigator on numerous NASA, NSF, Air Force, and Navy grants and has chaired many national committees, international organizations a