Electron Acceleration in the Aurora and Beyond

Explores the mysteries involving the acceleration of electrons in the magnetosphere, in the solar wind, at the Sun and in the Cosmos. This book presents a fresh approach to understanding this subject by treating the acceleration medium as a plasma. It is suitable for graduate and post-doctoral space scientists. How do electrons that stream into the high atmosphere from above to create the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis acquire the necessary speeds and energies? ‘Electron Acceleration in the Aurora and Beyond’ explores this and other mysteries concerning the acceleration of electrons in the Earth’s magnetosphere, in the solar wind, at the Sun, at an ‘artificial comet’, and in the Cosmos. The author has had first-hand experience of exploring all of these areas and has pioneered the transition, which now seems to be complete, from the static to the dynamic theory of acceleration. He writes in a conversational style, inviting the reader into the discussion which ranges from the motion of charged particles in electromagnetic fields to the statistical mechanics of interactions between plasma waves and charged particles. The book is copiously illustrated with more than 170 figures and colour plates. Questions, exercises, and computer programs are provided to stimulate further thinking. ‘This is an absolute jewel of an introduction to the subject.’ Journal of Plasma Physics ‘His book is an excellent starting point for those about to embark on studies in space science.’ The Observatory ‘…the community should thank him for having written it.’ Eos, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union.

How did electrons in the high atmosphere and space around the Earth come to acquire their speeds and energies? This intriguing question lies at the heart of understanding how high-energy electrons create the spectacular displays of the ^IAurora Borealis and ^IAurora Australis. Electron Acceleration in the Aurora and Beyond explores the mysteries