Solar and Space Physics Space Science in the Twenty-First Century -- Imperatives for the Decades 1995 to 2015 (1988) / Chapter Skim
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1. Introduction
1. Introduction
Pages 1-6
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The ancient Greeks were puzzled by the refires in the upper atmosphere that we now call the aurora; there are several possible references to the aurora in ancient Chinese writings before 2000 B.C.; there are also passages in the first chapter of Ezekiel with vivid descriptions of what we now recognize as auroral formations. The observation of sunspots by Galileo in 1610 led to the eighteenth-century discovery of the 11-year solar sunspot cycle and the recognition that there was a connection between sunspot 1
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For example, motions in the convective layers of the Sun are believed to generate the solar magnetic field and solar wind variations; these in turn affect the Earth's magnetosphere and regulate the amount of plasma energy incident on the Earth's polar caps. Associated magnetospheric activity drives strong winds in the upper atmosphere and may influence the dynamical and chemical composition of the mesosphere and stratosphere as well.
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Explanations of physical phenomena in astrophysical objects that will remain forever inaccessible to direct observation rest heavily on insights obtained through studies of solar system plasmas accessible to in situ observations. Even though space plasma physics AS a mature subject, new oh servations continue to reveal facets of the physics not recognized previously.
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The phenomenological approach appropriate to a young science still in its discovery phase ho progressed to a more mature approach where focused and quantitative investigations are made, interactive regimes are studied, and theory and modeling play a central role in advancing understanding. The future solar and space physics program will require tools and techniques substantially different from those of the past.
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updated the scientific goals and objectives of solar and space physics research from the Kennel report and developed the prioritized implementation plan for NASA that would accomplish these aims. Chapter 2 of the task group's report reviews those scientific objectives, and Chapter 3 describes the status of solar and space physics expected in 1995, assuming a number of space programs proceed according to present plans.
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Those efforts were an important part of the study they were largely responsible for some of the new initiatives proposed in Chapter 4.
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