MHD Waves – Advanced Study within the Space Physics Course
Autumn 2000

The area of special study concerns the behaviour of waves on large scale in the Earth’s magnetosphere. The lecture describes in an intuitive manner how the solar wind is expected to excite waves at the boundary, and then taking the results derived by Samson et al. (1971) [which also summarised on this site] looks at how the magnetosphere responds with waves also being excited deep inside.

A document giving basic information on cold MHD wave theory is also given here.

The site also contains a problem sheet and a solutions sheet (latter, not yet accessible).

For further reading on the topic, students should start from the chapter by Kivelson on MHD waves in the recommended text by Russell and Kivelson ‘Introduction to Space Physics’ (CUP), pursuing, where necessary or where interested, references therein.