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  • © 2007

Plasma Astrophysics, Part II

Reconnection and Flares

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  • In the book, brief historical remarks demonstrate that the outstanding discoveries in cosmic physics were by no means governed by chance
  • Distinguishing feature of the proposed book is the consecutive consideration of physical principles, starting from the most general ones (the first principles), and of the simplifying assumptions which give us more simpler descriptions of plasma under cosmic conditions

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library (ASSL, volume 341)

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About this book

Magnetic ?elds are easily generated in astrophysical plasma owing to its ?6 high conductivity. Magnetic ?elds, having strengths of order few 10 G, correlated on several kiloparsec scales are seen in spiral galaxies. Their origin could be due to ampli?cation of a small seed ?eld by a turbulent galactic dynamo. In several galaxies, like the famous M51, magnetic ?elds are well correlated (or anti-correlated) with the optical spiral arms. These are the weakest large-scale ?elds observed in cosmic space. The strongest magnets in space are presumably the so-called magnetars, the highly mag- 15 netized (with the strength of the ?eld of about 10 G) young neutron stars formed in the supernova explosions. The energy of magnetic ?elds is accumulated in astrophysical plasma, and the sudden release of this energy – an original electrodynamical ‘burst’ or‘explosion’–takesplaceunderde?nitebutquitegeneralconditions(P- att, 1992; Sturrock, 1994; Kivelson and Russell, 1995; Rose, 1998; Priest and Forbes, 2000; Somov, 2000; Kundt, 2001). Such a ‘?are’ in ast- physical plasma is accompanied by fast directed ejections (jets) of plasma, powerful ?ows of heat and hard electromagnetic radiation as well as by impulsive acceleration of charged particles to high energies.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Astronomical Institute and Faculty of Physics, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

    Boris V. Somov

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 159.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 209.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access