Space Plasma Physics: The Study of Solar-System Plasmas. Volume 1. Reports of the Study Committee and Advocacy Panels

摘要

This is the first volume of a study which attempts to identify the future objectives of research in space plasma physics. Plasma is matter in the ionized state. Space plasma physics concerns the study of plasmas in the space environment. The principal conclusions are: (1) Space plasma physics is intrinsically an important branch of science. (2) Now that the initial exploratory state of space plasma physics has been completed successfully, the fruitfulness of future projects will depend on addressing basic scientific problems. (30) The theoretical component of the space-plasma effort needs to be strenthened by increased support and by encouraging theory to play a central role in the planned development of the field.