Turbulence, Dynamos, Accretion Disks, Pulsars and Collective Plasma Processes

Turbulence, Dynamos, Accretion Disks, Pulsars and Collective Plasma Processes
Author: S.S. Hasan
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 342
Release: 2008-10-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 140208868X

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It is well established and appreciated by now that more than 99% of the baryonic matter in the universe is in the plasma state. Most astrophysical systems could be approximated as conducting fluids in a gravitational field. It is the combined effect of these two that gives rise to the mind boggling variety of configurations in the form of filaments, loops, jets and arches. The plasma structures that cannot last for more than a second or less in a laboratory remain intact for astronomical time and spatial scales in an astrophysical setting. The case in point is the well known extragalactic jets whose collimation and stability has remained an enigma inspite of the efforts of many for many long years. The high energy radiation sources such as the active galactic nuclei again summon the coherent plasma radiation processes for their exceptionally large output from regions of relatively small physical sizes. The generation of magnetic field, anomalous transport of angular momentum with decisive bearing on star formation processes, the ubiquitous MHD turbulence under conditions irreproducible in terrestrial laboratories are some of the generic issues still awaiting a concerted effort for their understanding. Quantum Plasmas, pair plasmas and pair-ion plasmas exist under extreme conditions in planetary interiors and exotic stars. In this workshop plasma physicists, astrophysicists and plasma astrophysicists are brought together to discuss these issues.

Magnetic Coupling between the Interior and Atmosphere of the Sun

Magnetic Coupling between the Interior and Atmosphere of the Sun
Author: S.S. Hasan
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 561
Release: 2010-03-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642028594

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Solar physics in India has a tradition that can be traced to the setting up of the Kodaikanal Observatory in 1899 when the Madras Observatory was relocated to a high altitude site with a view to initiate observations of the sun. This conference on Magnetic Coupling between the Interior and the Atmosphere of the Sun during 2–5 December 2008 was planned to coincide with centenary of the Evershed effect discovery at Kodaikanal in 1909. The aim of this meeting was to bring to a critical focus a comprehensive - derstanding of the important issues pertaining to solar magnetism with particular emphasis on the various MHD processes that operate in the solar atmosphere. The current status of magnetic eld measurements and their implications in the light of recenttheoriesandnumericalmodelingthataddressthe fundamentalscalesandp- cessesinthehighlymagnetizedturbulentplasmawerereviewedduringthismeeting. The meeting was timely for the following reasons: Space observations such as from SOHO and TRACE have provided a wealth of multiwavelength observations onprocessesoccurringinregionsofthe atmosphereextendingfromthe photosphere up to the outer corona. With the launch of Hinode and STEREO in 2006 and of SDO (Solar Dynamics Observatory) shortly, this conference provided a platform for in-depth discussions on new results from various space missions as well as a comparison with ground-based observing facilities such as the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope. Using sophisticated image processing techniques, such telescopes r- tinelygenerateobservationswitharesolutionbetterthan0. 1arcsec,therebyyielding more informative diagnostics for instance of the microstructure of ux tubes.

Solar Origins of Space Weather and Space Climate

Solar Origins of Space Weather and Space Climate
Author: Irene González Hernández
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2014-06-17
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1493911821

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Presents an overview of recent research on the original of solar phenomena that affect Earth’s technological systems. This topical issue is based on the presentations given at the 26th National Solar Observatory (NSO) Summer Workshop held at the National Solar Observatory/Sacramento Peak, New Mexico, USA from 30 April to 4 May 2012. This unique forum brought together experts in different areas of solar and space physics to help in developing a full picture of the origin of solar phenomena that affect Earth’s technological systems. The articles include theory, model and observation research on the origin of the solar activity and its cycle, as well as a discussion on how to incorporate the research into space-weather forecasting tools. This volume is aimed at graduate students and researchers active in solar physics and space science. Previously published in Solar Physics, Vol. 289/2, 2014.

Plasma Turbulence in the Solar System

Plasma Turbulence in the Solar System
Author: Yasuhito Narita
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 108
Release: 2012-01-19
Genre: Science
ISBN: 364225666X

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Dynamics of astrophysical systems is often described by plasma physics, yet understanding the nature of plasma turbulence remains as a challenge in physics in both theories and experiments. This book is an up-to-date summary and review of recent results in research on waves and turbulence in near-Earth space plasma turbulence, obtained by Cluster, the multi-spacecraft mission. Spatial and temporal structures of solar wind turbulence as well as its interaction with the bow shock ahead of the Earth are presented using Cluster data. The book presents (1) historical developments, (2) theoretical background of plasma physics, turbulence theories, and the plasma physical picture of the solar system, (3) analysis methods for multi-spacecraft data, (4) results of Cluster data analysis, and (5) impacts on astrophysics and Earth sciences.

Multi-scale Dynamical Processes in Space and Astrophysical Plasmas

Multi-scale Dynamical Processes in Space and Astrophysical Plasmas
Author: Manfred P. Leubner
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 231
Release: 2012-08-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642304427

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Magnetized plasmas in the universe exhibit complex dynamical behavior over a huge range of scales. The fundamental mechanisms of energy transport, redistribution and conversion occur at multiple scales. The driving mechanisms often include energy accumulation, free-energy-excited relaxation processes, dissipation and self-organization. The plasma processes associated with energy conversion, transport and self-organization, such as magnetic reconnection, instabilities, linear and nonlinear waves, wave-particle interactions, dynamo processes, turbulence, heating, diffusion and convection represent fundamental physical effects. They demonstrate similar dynamical behavior in near-Earth space, on the Sun, in the heliosphere and in astrophysical environments. 'Multi-scale Dynamical Processes in Space and Astrophysical Plasmas' presents the proceedings of the International Astrophysics Forum Alpbach 2011. The contributions discuss the latest advances in the exploration of dynamical behavior in space plasmas environments, including comprehensive approaches to theoretical, experimental and numerical aspects. The book will appeal to researchers and students in the fields of physics, space and astrophysics, solar physics, geophysics and planetary science.

Working Papers

Working Papers
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 347
Release: 1991-02-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309043832

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This volume contains working papers on astronomy and astrophysics prepared by 15 non-National Research Council panels in areas ranging from radio astronomy to the status of the profession.

Plasma Processes in Pulsar Environments

Plasma Processes in Pulsar Environments
Author: Craig Ronald Stark
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2008
Genre:
ISBN:

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The aim of this thesis is to study coherent plasma effects and collective plasma processes in pulsar environments. Pulsars are one of the most enigmatic objects in the universe. Formed in supernova explosions, pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars identified by their periodically pulsed electromagnetic emission. The source of the radiation is believed to be associated with the electron-positron (pair) plasma populating the pulsar magnetosphere. The theory of pulsar radiation is still in its infancy and there is lack of understanding about the energetic processes involved. The initial aim of this thesis is to study a possible emission mechanism in which electrostatic oscillations are coupled to propagating electromagnetic waves by a magnetic field inhomogeneity, thus creating a source of radiation in the pulsar magnetosphere. The full nonlinear equations in cylindrical geometry for a streaming cold pair plasma are solved numerically, together with Maxwell s equations, using a Finite-Difference Time Domain method. Electrostatic oscillations are induced in a streaming plasma in the presence of a non-uniform magnetic field, and the resulting electromagnetic waves are modelled self-consistently. Also presented is the linear perturbation analysis of these model equations perturbed from a dynamical equilibrium in order to probe the fundamental modes present in the system. These simulations successfully exhibit the coupling mechanism and the nonlinear interaction between electromagnetic waves and independent plasma oscillations, confirming the importance of coherent plasma effects and collective plasma processes in the pulsar magnetosphere. The observed electromagnetic signature is characterised by the nature of the emission mechanism and possibly by the menagerie of dust it encounters as it propagates through the surrounding supernova remnant. Supernova remnants are composed of multi-species electron-ion dusty plasmas. Conventional modelling of dust growth in this environment is based upon coagulation and nucleation of gas phase material. The second aim of this thesis is to study a possible spheroidal dust growth mechanism via plasma deposition. Dust grains immersed in a plasma acquire a net negative charge forming a plasma sheath. Ions are accelerated from the bulk plasma into the sheath and are deposited on the surface of the grain altering its shape and size. Grains with an elliptical geometry have a non-radial electric field and further anisotropic growth occurs if the deposited ions are non-inertial. In reality the extent of such growth depends upon the initial kinetic energy of the ions and the magnitude of the electric field in the sheath. Laplace s equation for the electric field for a range grain eccentricities is numerically solved using a bespoke finite difference method, the dynamics of the ions in the sheath are solved, showing how elliptical growth is related to the initial eccentricity and size of the seed relative to the sheath length.

Fragmented Energy Release in Sun and Stars

Fragmented Energy Release in Sun and Stars
Author: G.H.J. van den Oord
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 404
Release: 1994-06-30
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN:

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Magnetic energy release plays an important role in a wide variety of cosmic objects such as the Sun, stellar coronae, stellar and galactic accretion disks and pulsars. The observed radio, X-ray and gamma-ray emission often directly results from magnetic `flares', implying that these processes are spatially fragmented and of an impulsive nature. A true understanding of these processes requires a combined magnetohydrodynamical and plasma physical approach. Fragmented Energy Release in Sun and Stars: the Interface between MHD and Plasma Physics provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary summary of magnetic energy release in the Sun and stars, in accretion disks, in pulsar magnetospheres and in laboratory plasmas. These proceedings include papers on both theoretical and observational aspects. Fragmented Energy Release in Sun and Stars: the Interface between MHD and Plasma Physics is for researchers in the fields of solar physics, stellar astrophysics and (laboratory) plasma physics and is a useful resource book for graduate level astrophysics courses.

Plasmas in the Universe

Plasmas in the Universe
Author: Società italiana di fisica
Publisher: IOS Press
Total Pages: 528
Release: 2000-10-25
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1614992274

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This book illustrates new developments in the fields of space and solar physics, stellar physics, extragalactic physics and cosmology. It also elaborates upon the progress of laboratory plasma physics. One of the topics discussed is the existence of collective processes, both linear and non-linear, that can explain key elements of accretion physics, magnetic reconnection, the formation of ‘strange’ particle distributions, particle scattering phenomena, etc. Astrophysical plasma are dominated by turbulent or quasi-turbulent processes which interactively associate instabilities, radiation processes and plasma-wave scattering. The resulting scenario, which is outside thermodynamics and conventional statistical physics, is too difficult to describe theoretically, but today there are large-scale experiments and powerful computational tools allowing for the exploration of an almost similarly complex variety of phenomena. Several contributions to this book present indications of the influence of nonlinear phenomena in astrophysical applications. This work marks the fast growth of plasma astrophysics thanks to new observations in the high energy band of the spectrum on the one hand and the possibility of validating and bringing to light relevant new theories by increasingly sophisticated machines on the other.