Synopses & Reviews
An introductory textbook aimed at first year graduate students specialising in magnetospheric physics.
Synopsis
This text is based on lectures given to a graduate class in space physics. The subject matter is focussed on geomagnetically trapped radiation; the Van Allan belts. The phenomenon of the belts is described briefly, and the physical processes responsible for the belts are treated in detail. The reader will need a working knowledge of advanced calculus and an understanding of basic electrodynamics. The presentation is detailed and at a level easily understood by first year graduate students in engineering or physics. Problem sets are included.
Synopsis
An introductory textbook on the physical processes controlling geomagnetically trapped radiation aimed at first year graduate students specialising in any aspect of magnetospheric physics.
Table of Contents
Preface; 1. The Earth's radiation belts; 2. Charged particle motion in magnetic and electric fields; 3. The geomagnetic field; 4. Adiabatic invariants; 5. Particle fluxes, distribution functions and radiation belt measurements; 6. Particle diffusion and transport; 7. Diffusion in pitch angle; 8. Diffusion in the L coordinate or radial diffusion; 9. Summary and comments; References; Appendices; Index.