MHD Waves in the Solar Atmosphere

Description

This volume presents a full mathematical exposition of the growing field of coronal seismology which will prove invaluable for graduate students and researchers alike. Roberts' detailed and original research draws upon the principles of fluid mechanics and electromagnetism, as well as observations from the TRACE and SDO spacecraft and key results in solar wave theory. The unique challenges posed by the extreme conditions of the Sun's atmosphere, which often frustrate attempts to develop a comprehensive theory, are tackled with rigour and precision; complex models of sunspots, coronal loops and prominences are presented, based on a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) view of the solar atmosphere, and making use of Faraday's concept of magnetic flux tubes to analyse oscillatory phenomena. The rapid rate of progress in coronal seismology makes this essential reading for those hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the field.

Bernard Roberts is Emeritus Professor of Solar Magnetohydrodynamics at the University of St Andrews. Scotland. His important contributions to the field over the past forty years have been recognised with an election to the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1997, a Saltire Scottish Science Award in 1998, and, in 2010, the Royal Astronomical Society's prestigious Chapman Medal, awarded for 'investigations of outstanding merit in solar-terrestrial physics'.

'The book is highly recommended to those students, post-docs, and researchers who are willing to go further into the fundamental understanding of wave phenomena in astrophysical plasmas than just to fit a sine function to the shaken loops after a banging solar flare.' Markus Aschwanden, The Observatory 'This volume presents a full mathematical exposition of the growing field of coronal seismology which will prove invaluable for graduate students and researchers alike ... I think this book would be suitable for a 'special topics' graduate course on MHD wave theory for those with a background in differential equations and special functions.' John Adam, Mathematical Reviews Clippings 'Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is an extremely useful description for a wide variety of plasmas on a macroscopic scale. Such description also demands microscopic interrogation but still provides an excellent first pass at complete understanding. All physicists who study plasmas or conducting fluids must have more than passing familiarity with MHD. Roberts (Univ. of St. Andrews, Scotland) provides an excellent introduction to MHD in general and MHD waves ...' M. A. Reynolds, Choice