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  • © 2003

An Introduction to Plasma Astrophysics and Magnetohydrodynamics

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Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library (ASSL, volume 294)

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Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
  2. Introduction

    • Marcel Goossens
    Pages 1-14
  3. Basic plasma properties

    • Marcel Goossens
    Pages 15-58
  4. Fluid equations for mass, momentum and energy

    • Marcel Goossens
    Pages 59-88
  5. Magnetohydrodynamics

    • Marcel Goossens
    Pages 89-126
  6. Basic MHD dynamics

    • Marcel Goossens
    Pages 127-160
  7. The solar wind

    • Marcel Goossens
    Pages 161-203

About this book

Most of the visible matter in the universe exists in the plasma state. Plasmas are of major importance for space physics, solar physics, and astrophysics. On Earth they are essential for magnetic controlled thermonuclear fusion.

This textbook collects lecture notes from a one-semester course taught at the K.U. Leuven to advanced undergraduate students in applied mathematics and physics. A particular strength of this book is that it provides a low threshold introduction to plasmas with an emphasis on first principles and fundamental concepts and properties.

The discussion of plasma models is to a large extent limited to Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) with its merits and limitations clearly explained. MHD provides the students on their first encounter with plasmas, with a powerful plasma model that they can link to familiar classic fluid dynamics. The solar wind is studied as an example of hydrodynamics and MHD at work in solar physics and astrophysics.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Centre for Plasma Astrophysics, K.U. Leuven, Belgium

    Marcel Goossens

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: An Introduction to Plasma Astrophysics and Magnetohydrodynamics

  • Authors: Marcel Goossens

  • Series Title: Astrophysics and Space Science Library

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1076-4

  • Publisher: Springer Dordrecht

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2003

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4020-1429-1Published: 31 August 2003

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4020-1433-8Published: 31 August 2003

  • eBook ISBN: 978-94-007-1076-4Published: 06 December 2012

  • Series ISSN: 0067-0057

  • Series E-ISSN: 2214-7985

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XI, 203

  • Topics: Astrophysics and Astroparticles, Astronomy, Observations and Techniques

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access