Description
Book SynopsisThis introduction to the origins and evolutions of magnetic fields in planets, stars and galaxies is aimed at graduate-level students in mathematics, physics, Earth sciences and astrophysics. Researchers at all levels will find this a valuable resource, but it is also ideal for those who are new to the subject.
Table of ContentsPreface; Part I. Basic Theory and Observations: 1. Introduction; 2. Magnetokinematic preliminaries; 3. Advection, distortion and diffusion; 4. The magnetic field of the Earth and planets; 5. Astrophysical magnetic fields; Part II. Foundations of Dynamo Theory: 6. Laminar dynamo theory; 7. Mean-field electrodynamics; 8. Nearly axisymmetric dynamos; 9. Solution of the mean-field equations; 10. The fast dynamo; Part III. Dynamic Aspects of Dynamo Action: 11. Low-dimensional models of the geodynamo; 12. Dynamic equilibration; 13. The geodynamo: instabilities and bifurcations; 14. Astrophysical dynamic models; 15. Helical turbulence; 16. Magnetic relaxation under topological constraints; 17. Magnetic relaxation in a low-β plasma; Appendix. Orthogonal curvilinear coordinates; References; Author index; Subject index.
