Physics of the Inner Heliosphere I Large-Scale Phenomena

Physics of the Inner Heliosphere gives for the first time a comprehensive and complete summary of our knowledge of the inner solar system. Using data collected over more than 11 years by the HELIOS twin solar probes, one of the most successful ventures in unmanned space exploration, the authors have compiled 10 extensive reviews of the physical processes of the inner heliosphere and their connections to the solar atmosphere. Researchers and advanced students in space and plasma physics, astronomy, and solar physics will be surprised to see just how closely the heliosphere is tied to the sun and how sensitively it depends on our star. The four chapters of Volume I of the work deal with large-scale phenomena: - observations of the solar corona - the structure of the interplanetary medium - the interplanetary magnetic field - interplanetary dust.

1. Introduction.- 1.1 Why the “Inner Heliosphere”?.- 1.2 Scientific Objectives and General Aspects of the Helios Mission.- 1.3 Scientific Highlights and Summary.- 1.4 Heliospheric Physics and Some Astrophysical Connections.- References.- 2. Remote Sensing Observations of the Solar Corona.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Morphology of the Outer Corona: A Brief Survey.- 2.3 Coronal Plasma Density.- 2.4 Coronal Magnetic Structure.- 2.5 Coronal Velocities and Turbulence.- 2.6 Coronal Mass Ejections.- 2.7 Appendix: Radio-Sounding Measurement Techniques.- References.- 3. Large-Scale Structure of the Interplanetary Medium.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Longitudinal Stream Boundaries.- 3.3 Latitudinal Stream Boundaries.- 3.4 Stream Structures with Respect to the Heliomagnetic Equator.- 3.5 Corotating Shock Waves.- 3.6 Scenario in Terms of the “Ballerina Model”.- 3.7 The Solar Wind as a Two-State Phenomenon.- 3.8 Variations During the Solar Activity Cycle.- 3.9 Conclusions and Outlook.- References.- 4. The Interplanetary Magnetic Field.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Radial Variations.- 4.3 The Solar Magnetic Field and the Interplanetary Magnetic Field.- 4.4 Summary and Outlook.- References.- 5. Interplanetary Dust.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Methods of Observation.- 5.3 Particle Properties.- 5.4 Physical Processes.- 5.5 Mass and Size Distribution.- 5.6 Spatial Distribution.- 5.7 Orbit Distribution.- 5.8 Compatibility of Dust Experiments with Zodiacal Light Observations.- 5.9 Sources and Sinks.- 5.10 Attempt at a Judgement.- References.