Solar-Terrestrial Relations: From Solar Activity to Heliobiology

Description

This books presents a brief review of modern concepts of the Sun-Earth problem and proposed physical mechanisms of solar-terrestrial relations (STR). This field covers a wide range of fundamental and actual applied problems of paramount importance (Space Weather, radiation hazard in space, functioning of space-borne and ground-based technological systems, heliobiology etc.). It is also closely tied with some general gnosiological problems. The author provides state-of-the-art information about existing problems and discusses different channels for extraterrestrial influences at the up-to-date level: electromagnetic waves and fields, total solar irradiance, solar wind, energetic solar particles, galactic cosmic rays, cosmic dust, etc. Some of the well-known and suggested STR effects and corresponding physical mechanisms are illustrated by several examples. In particular, a number of different external “signals” in observed changes of terrestrial climate and weather are considered. Especially, an expected impact of geophysical disturbances on the accuracy of some precise physical measurements and experiments is analysed. Due attention is paid to the heliobiological aspects of STR. Particular emphasis is on the multifactor nature of magneto-biological effect (MBE), its non-stationary and non-linear behaviour. The author also discusses main features of different physical mechanisms (electromagnetic fields, ionising radiation, triggers, rhythmic and resonances in solar-terrestrial systems) and their applicability to the Sun-Earth problem. The most of them are still needed in more sophisticated theoretical development and experimental confirmation. The main goals of interdisciplinary studies in this field are to determine partial impacts of solar-geomagnetic variability on the terrestrial environments and estimate (separate) relative contributions of different factors into various STR phenomena. The book is based on lectures given on advanced undergraduate level and will also benefit newcomers (physicists and engineers) to the field. Preface Contents Acronyms Chapter 1: Introduction: The Problem of Solar-Terrestrial Relations 1.1 The Nature of Helio-Geophysical Disturbances 1.2 Observational Data and Main Lines of Research Chapter 2: Main Characteristics of the Sun 2.1 The Sun as a Star 2.2 The Structure of the Sun 2.3 Age, Chemical Composition, Temperature and Density 2.4 Energy Source 2.5 The Concept of the Heliosphere 2.6 Methods for Studying the Sun and Heliosphere Chapter 3: Solar Activity 3.1 The Structure of the Solar Atmosphere 3.2 Solar Wind 3.3 Solar Flares 3.4 Coronal Mass Ejections 3.5 Cyclicity of Solar Activity 3.6 Forecast of Future Solar Cycles Chapter 4: Structure and Dynamics of the Interplanetary Environment 4.1 Corona Expansion and Solar Wind 4.2 The Global Magnetic Field of the Sun 4.3 Interplanetary Magnetic Field 4.4 Sector Structure of Interplanetary Magnetic Field 4.5 Modern Model of the Polar Magnetic Field 4.6 Fluctuations of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field Chapter 5: Anomalous Component of Cosmic Rays 5.1 Discovery and Origin of ACR 5.2 The Original Acceleration Paradigm 5.3 Modern Models 5.4 Account for the Geometry of the Heliosphere 5.5 Interplanetary Acceleration Chapter 6: Transport of Particles in the Heliosphere 6.1 Energetic Particles in the Heliosphere 6.2 Basic Concepts of Transport Theory 6.3 Energy Density and Transport of Energetic Particles 6.4 The Theory of Solar Cosmic Ray Transport 6.5 Shock Waves and Transport of Solar Particles 6.6 Energetic Particles and Wave Generation in Interplanetary Plasma 6.7 Particle Transport in Large-Scale Magnetic Structures 6.8 Solar Particles at Large Distances from the Sun Chapter 7: Acceleration of Particles on the Sun 7.1 Solar Particle Acceleration Scenarios 7.2 Fermi Model Development 7.3 Acceleration in Solar Flares 7.4 Basic Acceleration Mechanisms 7.5 Acceleration of Particles and Magnetic Reconnection 7.6 Stochastic Acceleration 7.7 Shock Wave Acceleration 7.8 Combined SCR Acceleration 7.9 Flares, CMEs, and Two Classes of Solar Proton Events Chapter 8: Accelerated Particles in the Solar Atmosphere 8.1 Nuclear Reactions in the Sun´s Atmosphere 8.2 Neutrons and Gamma Rays 8.3 Astrophysical Consequences and Applications 8.4 Localization of Sources of Acceleration Chapter 9: Occurrence Rate of Extreme Solar Events 9.1 Concept of Extreme SCR Event 9.2 Past Extreme SCR Events 9.3 New Distribution Function for Extreme SEP Events 9.4 Flares on Stars Like the Sun Chapter 10: Energetic Particles in the Geosphere 10.1 Earth´s Atmosphere and Cosmic Rays 10.2 Ionization and Conductivity of the Atmosphere 10.3 Production of Cosmogenic Isotopes 10.4 Formation of Nitrates 10.5 Formation and Dynamics of the Ozone Layer 10.6 Global Electrical Circuit 10.7 Cosmic Rays: A Trigger for Tropospheric Processes? 10.8 Other Cosmic Ray Effects in the Atmosphere Chapter 11: Hierarchy of Solar-Earth Relations 11.1 Extreme Solar Events and Magnetic Storms 11.2 Main Characteristics of Magnetic Storms 11.3 Energetics of the Magnetosphere 11.4 Dynamics of Trapped Radiation in the Earth´s Magnetosphere 11.5 Solar ``Signals´´ in the Atmosphere and Lithosphere 11.6 Solar-Terrestrial Relations an Space Weather Chapter 12: Influence of the Sun on the Biosphere 12.1 Modern Concepts and Fundamental Problems 12.2 The Role of Geomagnetic Pulsations 12.3 Cosmic Rhythms in the Biosphere 12.4 Features of Heliobiological Rhythms 12.5 Cosmophysical Factors and Creative Activity 12.6 Economic ``Kondratyev Waves´´ Chapter 13: Future of Solar-Terrestrial Physics 13.1 Solar Activity and Accurate Physical Measurements 13.2 Heliobiology and Medicine 13.3 Magneto-Biological Effect (MBE) 13.4 Astronautics Prospects 13.5 Space Weather Forecasting 13.6 Spaceship ``Earth´´ 13.7 Search for Alien Life Instead of an Afterword Appendices Geocentric Solar Ecliptic System Geocentric Solar Equatorial System Geocentric Solar Magnetospheric System References