Overview

Expanding upon the ideas first proposed in his seminal book Cosmical Magnetic Fields, Eugene N. Parker here offers the first in-depth treatment of the magnetohydrodynamic theory of spontaneous magnetic discontinuities. In detailing his theory of the spontaneous formation of tangential discontinuities (current sheets) in a magnetic field embedded in highly conducting plasma, Parker shows how it can be used to explain the activity of the external magnetic fields of planets, stars, interstellar gas clouds, and galaxies, as well as the magnetic fields in laboratory plasmas. Provocative and fascinating, Spontaneous Current Sheets in Magnetic Fields presents a bold new theory that will excite interest and discussion throughout the space physics community.

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9780195073713

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Reviews

reads very well. ... a remarkable piece of work, that is bound to become a standard reference in the field of magnetic reconnection and coronal physics. * Axel Brandenburg, Radiat. Phys. Chem., vol.47, no.4, 1996. * Parker has great gifts for physical explanation and for expository writing, and he makes the ideas accessible without detailed study of the mathematical examples. 'Spontaneous Current Sheets in Magnetic Fields' is a major work that should be read by anyone interested in magnetohydrodynamics or plasma astrophysics. It will be an influential book for a long time to come. * Ellen G. Zweibel, Science, Vol. 267, 3 March 1995 *

Author Information

Eugene N. Parker is S. Chandrasekhar Distinguished Service Professor in the Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Enrico Fermi Institute, University of Chicago. One of the founders of the field of space plasma physics, Professor Parker is the recipient of many honors, including the United States National Medal of Science and election to the National Academy of Science, where he served as chairman of the Astronomy section from 1983 to 1986.

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