Table of Contents

1 Introduction to Space Research.- 1.1 Early History of Space Physics.- 1.2 The New Space Age and Global Plans.- 1.3 Space Vehicles and Space Physics.- 1.4 Problems on Chapter 1.- 2 The Magnetosphere of the Earth.- 2.1 Early Concepts.- 2.2 Experimental Methods in Space Studies and Observations.- 2.3 The Structure of the Magnetosphere.- 2.4 Motion of Charged Particles in the Magnetosphere.- 2.5 The Radiation Belts of the Earth.- 2.6 Heavy Ions in the Magnetosphere of the Earth.- 2.7 Problems on Chapter 2.- 3 The Sun and the Heliosphere.- 3.1 The Sun and Space Astrophysics.- 3.2 Sunspots and the Solar Cycles.- 3.3 Solar Wind.- 3.4 Solar and Interplanetary Magnetic Fields.- 3.5 The Active Sun.- 3.6 The Outer Heliosphere.- 3.7 Problems on Chapter 3.- 4 The Moon and the Planets.- 4.1 The Moon.- 4.2 Space Missions and Planetary Exploration.- 4.3 Inner Planets.- 4.4 The Asteroid Belt.- 4.5 Outer Planets.- 4.6 Problems on Chapter 4.- 5 Comets, Meteorites and the origin of the Solar System.- 5.1 Comets and Cometary Probes.- 5.2 The Oort Cloud and the Origin of Comets.- 5.3 Meteorites.- 5.4 Interplanetary Dust.- 5.5 The Origin and Early History of the Solar System.- 5.6 Problems on Chapter 5.- 6 Solar Energetic Particles.- 6.1 General Features and Early Observations.- 6.2 Observational Methods and Early Results.- 6.3 Properties of Energetic Solar Particles.- 6.4 Coronal and Interplanetary Propagation of SEP.- 6.5 Solar Energetic Particles in the Distant Past.- 6.6 Acceleration of Particles in the Sun.- 6.7 Problems on Chapter 6.- 7 Galactic Cosmic Rays.- 7.1 Early Studies and General Features.- 7.2 Interactions of Cosmic Rays with Matter.- 7.3 Methods of Studies of Cosmic Ray Nuclei.- 7.4 Properties of Cosmic Rays and their Implications.- 7.5 Cosmic Ray Propagation in Interplanetary Space.- 7.6 Cosmic Ray Propagation in Interstellar Space.- 7.7 Origin of Cosmic Rays.- 7.8 Problems on Chapter 7.- 8 Space Astrophysics.- 8.1 New Astrophysics from Space Observatories.- 8.2 New Windows to the Universe.- 8.3 Cosmology from Space.- 8.4 Problems on Chapter 8.- 9 The Interstellar Medium (ISM).- 9.1 General Features.- 9.2 Large Scale Dynamical Processes.- 9.3 Physical Features of the ISM.- 9.4 Interstellar Dust.- 9.5 Interstellar Molecules.- 9.6 Organic Molecules in Large Molecular Clouds.- 9.7 The Origin of Life: Terrestrial vs Extra Terrestrial.- 9.8 Problems on Chapter 9.- 10 Concluding Remarks.- References.

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