Physics of the Solar Corona

Solar science has evolved rapidly over the past decade as the results of a new generation of solar space missions have become available. This book provides a thorough introduction to the subject of solar physics, based on those observations. The author introduces the solar corona, which has a temperature of several million degrees, and sets it in the context of basic plasma physics before moving on to discuss plasma instabilities and plasma heating processes. The latest results on coronal heating and radiation, fundamental processes in all stars, are presented. Spectacular phenomena such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections are described in detail, with their potential effects on the Earth. The author gathers observations made at many wavelengths from hard X-rays, soft X-rays, extreme UV and radio wavelengths. This paperback study edition includes 50 pages of problems and solutions which will much enhance the value of the book to students.