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

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

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• By the 11th century the Chinese had learned that a magnetic needle points north-south. • By the 12th century the European records mention the compass. • That there was a difference between magnetic north and the direction of the compass needle (declination) was known by the 16th century. • William Gilbert (1600) realized that the field was dipolar. • In 1698 Edmund Halley organized the first scientific expedition to map the field in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Plasma State • A plasma is an electrically neutral ionized gas. – The Sun is a plasma – The space between the Sun and the Earth is “filled” with a plasma. – The Earth is surrounded by a plasma. – A stroke of lightning forms a plasma – Over 99% of the Universe is a plasma. • Although neutral a plasma is composed of charged particles- electric and magnetic forces are critical for understanding plasmas.

• By the 11th century the<br />

Chinese had learned that<br />

a magnetic needle points<br />

north-south.<br />

• By the 12th century the<br />

European records<br />

mention the compass.<br />

• That there was a<br />

difference between<br />

magnetic north and the<br />

direction <strong>of</strong> the compass<br />

needle (declination) was<br />

known by the 16th<br />

century.<br />

• William Gilbert (1600)<br />

realized that the field was<br />

dipolar.<br />

• In 1698 Edmund Halley<br />

organized the first<br />

scientific expedition <strong>to</strong><br />

map the field in the<br />

Atlantic Ocean.

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