Fundamental Planetary Science

This books presents a brief review of modern concepts of the Sun-Earth problem and proposed physical mechanisms of solar-terrestrial relations (STR). This field covers a wide range of fundamental and actual applied problems of paramount importance (Space Weather, radiation hazard in space, functioning of space-borne and ground-based technological systems, heliobiology etc.). It is also closely tied with some general gnosiological problems.
The author provides state-of-the-art information about existing problems and discusses different channels for extraterrestrial influences at the up-to-date level: electromagnetic waves and fields, total solar irradiance, solar wind, energetic solar particles, galactic cosmic rays, cosmic dust, etc. Some of the well-known and suggested STR effects and corresponding physical mechanisms are illustrated by several examples. In particular, a number of different external “signals” in observed changes of terrestrial climate and weather are considered. Especially, an expected impact of geophysical disturbances on the accuracy of some precise physical measurements and experiments is analysed. Due attention is paid to the heliobiological aspects of STR. Particular emphasis is on the multifactor nature of magneto-biological effect (MBE), its non-stationary and non-linear behaviour.

Half a century ago, television viewers thrilled to the exploits of the original Star Trek series with its mission “to explore strange new worlds.” Today, astronomers are doing exactly that, analyzing the data from advanced telescopes and discovering strange worlds orbiting other stars in our galaxy.