A Brief Introduction to Space Plasma Physics.pdf - Institute of ...

Space Plasma Physics
• Space physics is concerned with the interaction of
charged particles with electric and magnetic fields in
space.
• Space physics involves the interaction between the
Sun, the solar wind, the magnetosphere and the
ionosphere.
• Space physics started with observations of the
aurorae.
– Old Testament references to auroras.
– Greek literature speaks of “moving accumulations
of burning clouds”
– Chinese literature has references to auroras prior
to 2000BC