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This concise and systematic account of the current state of this new branch of astrophysics presents the theoretical foundations of plasma astrophysics, magneto-hydrodynamics and coronal magnetic structures, taking into account the full range of available observation techniques -- from radio to gamma.The book discusses stellar loops during flare energy releases, MHD waves and oscillations, plasma instabilities and heating and charged particle acceleration. Current trends and developments in MHD seismology of solar and stellar coronal plasma systems are also covered, while recent progress is presented in the observational study of quasi-periodic pulsations in solar and stellar flares with radio, optical, X and gamma rays. In addition, the authors investigate the origin of coherent radio emission from stellar loops, paying special attention to their fine structure.For advanced students and specialists in astronomy, as well as theoretical and plasma physics.
List of contents
1. Introduction and overview2. Coronal magnetic loop as an equivalent electric circuit2.1. Physical model of an isolated loop2.2. The formation of magnetic tubes by photosphere convection2.3. The structure of the coronal part of a flux tube2.4. Diagnostics of electric currents2.5. Equivalent electric circuit2.6. Inductive interaction of magnetic loops2.7. Waves of electric current in arcades of coronal magnetic loops2.8. Magnetic loops above spots3. Resonators for MHD oscillations in stellar coronae3.1. Eigen-modes of coronal loops: Plasma cylinder approach and the dispersion equation3.2. MHD-resonator at ~ 1RO in the solar corona3.3. Excitation mechanisms for loop oscillations4. Propagating MHD waves in coronal plasma waveguides4.1 MHD waves in vertical coronal magnetic flux tubes4.2 Propagating waves in coronal loops4.3 Waves in coronal jets4.4 Evolution of short-wavelength fast magnetoacoustic waves4.5 Alfvén wave phase mixing5. Prominence seismology 5.1. Prominence models5.2, Prominence oscillations5.3. The heating effect5.4. Non-linear oscillations. Dynamic modes5.5. Flare processes in prominences.5.6. Stellar and interstellar prominences6. The coronal loop as a magnetic mirror trap 6.1. Particle distribution in a coronal loop6.1.1. Gyrosynchrotron emission from a flaring loop6.2. Kinetic instabilities in a loop6.2.1. Loop as Electron Cyclotron Maser 6.2.2. Plasma mechanism of radio emission from coronal loops6.2.3. Instabilities of whistlers and small-scale Alfvén waves6.3. Fine structure of the solar and stellar radio emission 7. Flaring events in stellar coronal loops 7.1. Particle acceleration and explosive Joule heating in current-carrying loops conductivity7.2. Kinematics of energetic particles in a loop and the consequent radiation8. Stellar coronal seismology as a diagnostic tool for flare plasma8.1. Modulation of flaring emission by MHD oscillations8.2. Global sausage mode and diagnostics of the solar event of the 12th of January, 20008.3. Dissipative processes in coronal loop for MHD modes8.4. Diagnostics of flaring plasma parameters in solar and stellar flares8.5. Diagnostics of electric currents in stellar atmosphere 9. Heating mechanisms in stellar coronae 9.1. Wave heating 9.2. Ohmic dissipation of electric currents 9.3. Heating by microflares10. Loops and QPO in neutron stars and accretion discs 10.1. Loops in accretion discs, heating of disc corona10.2. The origin of fast QPOs from magnetars and diagnostics of magnetar corona11. Conclusion
About the author
Alexander V. Stepanov is director of the Pulkovo Observatory, Russia, and elected member of the European Astronomical Society Council. 150 papers on various processes related to flares and the solar corona and how to measure and interpret their emissions prove his standing with the community.
Valery V. Zaitsev is head of the Laboratory of Plasma Physics of the Atmospheres of the Sun and Planets at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Founding Member of the European Astronomical Society.Various assignments have taken him to the European Southern Observatory and the Astrophys. Institute Potsdam, Germany, among others.
His research centers on solar and stellar flares, winds and radio emission, coronal structures and plasma kinetics. It is documented in over 200 publications.
Valery M. Nakariakov is Professor at the University of Warwick, UK, Councilor of the Royal Astronomical Society and Vice President of the European Solar Physics Division of the European Physical Society. His research focuses on astrophysical and laboratory plasmas, on solar coronal physics and magnetohydrodynamic coronal seismology.
Summary
This concise and systematic account of the current state of this new branch of astrophysics presents the theoretical foundations of plasma astrophysics, magneto-hydrodynamics and coronal magnetic structures, taking into account the full range of available observation techniques -- from radio to gamma.
The book discusses stellar loops during flare energy releases, MHD waves and oscillations, plasma instabilities and heating and charged particle acceleration. Current trends and developments in MHD seismology of solar and stellar coronal plasma systems are also covered, while recent progress is presented in the observational study of quasi-periodic pulsations in solar and stellar flares with radio, optical, X and gamma rays. In addition, the authors investigate the origin of coherent radio emission from stellar loops, paying special attention to their fine structure.
For advanced students and specialists in astronomy, as well as theoretical and plasma physics.
