Solar Magnetohydrodynamics

• 1. A description of the sun.- 1.1. Brief History.- 1.2. Overall Properties.- 1.3.The Quiet Sun.- 1.4. Transient Features.- 2. The basic equations of magnetohydrodynamics.- 2.1. Electromagnetic Equations.- 2.2. Plasma Equations.- 2.3. Energy Equations.- 2.4. Summary of Equations.- 2.5. Dimensionless Parameters.- 2.6. Consequences of the Induction Equation.- 2.7. The Lorentz Force.- 2.8. Some Theorems.- 2.9. Summary of Magnetic Flux Tube Behaviour.- 2.10. Summary of Current Sheet Behaviour.- 3. Magnetohydrostatics.- 3.1. Introduction.- 3.2. Plasma Structure in a Prescribed Magnetic Field.- 3.3. The Structure of Magnetic Flux Tubes (Cylindrically Symmetric).- 3.4. Current-Free Fields.- 3.5. Force-Free Fields.- 3.6. Magnetohydrostatic Fields.- 4. Waves.- 4.1. Introduction.- 4.2. Sound Waves.- 4.3. Magnetic Waves.- 4.4. Internal Gravity Waves.- 4.5. Inertial Waves.- 4.6. Magnetoacoustic Waves.- 4.7. Acoustic-Gravity Waves.- 4.8. Summary of Magnetoacoustic-Gravity Waves.- 4.9. Five-Minute Oscillations.- 4.10. Waves in a Strongly Inhomogeneous Medium.- 5. Shock waves.- 5.1. Introduction.- 5.2. Hydrodynamic Shocks.- 5.3. Perpendicular Shocks.- 5.4. Oblique Shocks.- 6. Heating of the upper atmosphere.- 6.1. Introduction.- 6.2. Models for Atmospheric Structure.- 6.3. Acoustic Wave Heating.- 6.4. Magnetic Heating.- 6.5. Coronal Loops.- 7. Instability.- 7.1. Introduction.- 7.2. Linearised Equations.- 7.3. Normal Mode Method.- 7.4. Variational (or Energy) Method.- 7.5. Summary of Instabilities.- 8. Sunspots.- 8.1. Magnetoconvection.- 8.2. Magnetic Buoyancy.- 8.3. Cooling of Sunspots.- 8.4. Equilibrium Structure of Sunspots.- 8.5. The Sunspot Penumbra.- 8.6. Evolution of a Sunspot.- 8.7. Intense Flux Tubes.- 9. Dynamo theory.- 9.1. Introduction.- 9.2. Cowling’s Theorem.- 9.3.Qualitative Dynamo Action.- 9.4. Kinematic Dynamos.- 9.5. Magnetohydrodynamic Dynamos.- 9.6. Difficulties with Dynamo Theory.- 10. Solar flares.- 10.1. Magnetic Reconnection.- 10.2. Simple-Loop Flare.- 10.3. Two-Ribbon Flare.- 11. Prominences.- 11.1. Formation.- 11.2. Magnetohydrostatics of Support in a Simple Arcade.- 11.3. Support in Configurations with Helical Fields.- 11.4. Coronal Transients.- 12. The solar wind.- 12.1. Introduction.- 12.2. Parker’s Solution.- 12.3. Models for a Spherical Expansion.- 12.4. Streamers and Coronal Holes.- 12.5. Extra Effects.- Appendix I. Units.- Appendix II. Useful Values and Expressions.- Appendix III. Notation.- References.

'The book should be eminently suitable for a course in solar physics. Also it provides a comprehensive review of present magnetohydrodynamical models in solar physics, which will be quite useful for workers in the field. Finally, the book is strongly recommended to the rapidly growing number of astrophysicists studying magnetically active stars.' Science '...belongs on the desk of every astrophysicist interested in active objects, whether stars or galaxies. It should go without saying that the book is also an excellent text for a graduate on magnetohydrodynamics.' Nature 'Professor Priest has succeeded in writing a lucid and thorough introductory in the fascinating field of Solar Magnetohydrodynamics that is of great value to students and researchers in the field. It is easily accessible to researchers in peripheral astrophysical disciplines such as stellar atmospheres and extragalactic physics. This monograph can be recommended as the textbook in this field.' Space Science Reviews '...only very rarely do I feel delighted to receive a particular book. Eric Priest's book is nevertheless one such instance. It is a very solid production both on the part of the author who has provided the best part of 500 pages and the publisher who has matched the author's effort with a well presented text and illustrations.' Planetary Space Science 'Professor Priest had constructed an impressively coherent textbook. As an account of solar magnetism, or a demonstration of the applied-mathematical approach in astrophysics it can be strongly recommended.' Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 155 (1985)