Space Weather

Viac o knihe

The editors provide a comprehensive overview of the Physics of Space Weather and its effects on both technological and biological systems. The work begins with an introduction to the subject, followed by a historical review of key developments in solar-terrestrial relationships that have shaped the modern field of space weather. Emphasis is placed on the technological impacts of significant solar activity over the past century. The second chapter highlights milestones in solar observations, from classic telescopes to advanced missions like STEREO, offering new insights into the Sun-Earth System. The third chapter summarizes current scientific understanding of the Sun-Earth system based on findings from spacecraft observing the Sun, interplanetary medium, and geospace. Chapter four examines how variations in solar and interplanetary conditions affect the Earth's magnetosphere, providing essential science and technology context for missions in low and near-Earth orbit. Chapter five discusses the upper atmosphere's physics, which causes disruptions in radio communications and GPS errors, crucial for projects like Galileo. Chapters six through ten review the impacts of existing technology on space, Earth, and life. The book concludes with a forward-looking perspective on space weather research and upcoming projects anticipated by 2015.