Space Science in the Twenty-First Century Imperatives for the Decades 1995 to 2015, Overview (1988) / Chapter Skim
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4. Solar System Space Physics
4. Solar System Space Physics
Pages 27-36
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From page 27... ...
Such processes reveal basic physical mechanisms and influence many circumstances of human endeavor. Study of the Sun, our nearest star, provides a firm basis for understanding stellar processes and astrophysical plasmas.
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From page 28... ...
The observation of this boundary between the heliosphere and the local interstellar medium is one of the central objectives of contemporary space physics. Solar shy tem space physics research encompasses all of the plasma physical phenomena within the heliosphere.
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From page 29... ...
Giant solar Dare eruptions occur at frequent intervals and release large amounts of energy into interplanetary space. This energy includes radiation that spans ahnost the entire electromagnetic spectrum and energetic particles sufficiently intense to kill exposed living matter ~ space.
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From page 30... ...
Such atmospheres absorb and redistribute globally the variable components of the solar energy falling on them. Planets with strong magnetic fields have dynamic neutral gas plasma interactions associated with auroral activity and the convection of plasma around the planet.
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From page 31... ...
The March 1986 encounters of the Soviet, European, and Japanese spacecraft with comet HaDey yielded further unportant advances in understanding cometary physics. CONNECTIONS OF SOLAR SYSTEM SPACE PHYSICS TO [ABORAIO1lY AND ASTROPHYSICAL PLASMAS Nearly 30 years of apace research have clearly shown that many of the physical processes observed in the Sun, in the solar WiDd, and at the Earth occur throughout the universe.
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From page 32... ...
In addition, ground-based observations play a continuing and important role. Basic theoretical work and modeling calculations underlie the entire field, guiding observational work.
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From page 33... ...
The Ulysses mission represents a pioneering effort to observe the interplanetary medium, solar energetic particles, cosmic rays, and the Sun's atmosphere at high solar latitudes—all classical phenomena In interplanetary and solar physics. The goal of the UARS program is to understand processes that control the structure of Earth's stratosphere and lower thermosphere.
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From page 34... ...
, with a spatial resolution of about 70 km, will provide initial data on plasma-magnetic field interactions related to the solar dynamo and energy transport In the solar atmosphere. 1~:COMMENDED PROGRAM: POST-1995 The steering group has identified a number of forward-Iook~g programs that will address basic scientific problems in solar system space physics.
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From page 35... ...
In addition, it may be possible to perform basic plasma physics experiments in space, including studies of plasma confinement in fusion systems, without the presence of walls. CONCLUSIONS The goals of solar system space physics address not only the basic physics of magnetized plasmas in the solar system, but also
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From page 36... ...
Finally, the understanding of the space environment near Earth has direct practical aspects, aside from its research value. Space Is being used increasingly for scientific, commercial, and national security purposes.
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