The Theory of Cosmic Ray Modulation,

Edition 1

Editors: By R. Du Toit Strauss and N. Eugene Engelbrecht

Publication Date: 31 Mar 2026

0 Reviews

Hazards

The publication contains no hazards

Conformance

PDF/UA-1
The publication contains a conformance statement that it meets the EPUB Accessibility 1.1, WCAG 2.1, Level AA standard. Please see https://bornaccessible.benetech.org/certified-publishers/ for further details of our compatibility testing.
The publication was certified on 20250728
Accessibility addendum
The certifier's credential is https://bornaccessible.benetech.org/certified-publishers/
For detailed accessibility information, see Elsevier’s website at https://www.elsevier.com/about/accessibility
Compatibility tested
For queries regarding accessibility information, contact [email protected]

Ways Of Reading

This e-publication is accessible to the full extent that the file format and types of content allow, on a specific reading device, by default, without necessarily including any additions such as textual descriptions of images or enhanced navigation.
Short alternative textual descriptions
Information-rich images are described by extended descriptions
Visualised data also available as non-graphical data
All contents of the digital publication necessary to use and understanding, including any text, images (via alternative descriptions), video (via audio description) is fully accessible via suitable audio reproduction.

Navigation

The contents of the PDF have been tagged to permit access by assistive technologies as per PDF-UA-1 standard.
Index with links to referenced entries
Page breaks included from the original print source
Elements such as headings, tables, etc. for structured navigation

Additional Accessibility Information

All (or substantially all) textual matter is arranged in a single logical reading order (including text that is visually presented as separate from the main text flow, e.g., in boxouts, captions, tables, footnotes, endnotes, citations, etc.). Non-textual content is also linked from within this logical reading order. (Purely decorative non-text content can be ignored).
The language of the text has been specified (e.g., via the HTML or XML lang attribute) to optimise text-to-speech (and other alternative renderings), both at the whole document level and, where appropriate, for individual words, phrases or passages in a different language.
For readers with color vision deficiency, use of color (e.g., in diagrams, graphics and charts, in prompts, or on buttons inviting a response) is not the sole means of graphical distinction or of conveying information
Content is enhanced with ARIA roles to optimize organization and facilitate navigation
Where interactive content is included in the product, controls are provided (e.g., for speed, pause and resume, reset) and labelled to make their use clear.
Content provides explanations for unusual words, abbreviations, acronyms, idioms, jargon in an accessible form, such as glossaries, scripted pop-ups.

Product Content

Content includes any type of illustrations.
The primary content is text.
Content includes a significant number of actionable (clickable) web links to external content, downloadable resources, supplementary material, etc.
Content includes a significant number of actionable (clickable) cross-references, hyperlinked notes and annotations, or with other actionable links between largely textual elements (e.g., quiz/test questions, ‘choose your own ending’, etc.).
Additional text not part of main content
Content includes figures, diagrams, charts and/or graphs, including other ‘mechanical’ (i.e. non-photographic) illustrations.
Sequential art
Text within images
Content includes mathematical notations, formulae.

Note

This product relies on 3rd party tooling which may impact the accessibility features visible in inspection copies. All accessibility features mentioned would be present in the purchased version of the title.

The Theory of Cosmic Ray Modulation concretely lays out the current understanding of cosmic ray particle interactions, offering a comprehensive introduction to the underlying theory, observational data, and practical applications that have implications for various fields, including high-energy astrophysics, space weather, and cosmogenic isotope studies. The book provides a solid theoretical foundation, explaining the physical processes involved in cosmic ray modulation. It delves into mathematical details with meticulous explanations and applies them to topics ranging from the implications of cosmic rays in space-based anti-matter research to their role in studying solar variability over timescales, and even in planetary habitability.

This book not only provides a solid foundation for research but also offers wider perspectives on the impact of cosmic rays in our understanding of the universe. With its strong underlying theory and up-to-date coverage, it is a must-read for anyone actively working in the field of cosmic rays or on fields influenced by charged particle physics.

Key Features

Provides an essential starting point in the field of cosmic ray transport, including detailed explanations of underlying physical processes
Includes observational data and current understandings on specific topics such as cosmic ray diffusion, drift, and turbulence.
Covers mathematical expressions, derivations, and equations that describe the behavior of cosmic rays and their modulation processes
Bridges the gap between plasma physics and space weather, making it an indispensable resource for space scientists seeking to understand the complexities of cosmic ray dynamics

About the author

By R. Du Toit Strauss, Professor of physics, North-West University, South Africa and N. Eugene Engelbrecht, Professor in Physics, North-West University, South Africa

Introduction
The Turbulent Heliosphere
1. The active Sun
2. The Solar Wind
3. The Heliospheric Magnetic Field
4. The Heliospheric Current Sheet
5. The Global Heliosphere
  1. The Supersonic Solar Wind
  2. The Termination Shock and Inner Heliosheath
  3. The Heliopause and Outer Heliosheath
6. Turbulence
  1. Some useful concepts from hydrodynamic turbulence
  2. Solar wind turbulence
  3. Selected turbulence observations in the solar wind
7. Closing remarks
8. References
Cosmic Rays
1. Time-dependent variations
  1. Neutron monitors
  2. 11 and 22 year variations
  3. 27 day recurrent variations
  4. Forbush decreases
  5. Daily variations
2. Galactic Cosmic Rays
  1. Modulation through the heliosphere
  2. Modulation and spectral changes
  3. Latitudinal gradients and other features
  4. Drift effect and anti-particles
3. Anomalous Cosmic Rays
4. Jovian electrons
5. Solar Energetic Particles and Other Species
6. References
Cosmic ray transport equations
1. Introduction
2. The distribution function in phase space
3. Transforming Between Different Coordinate Systems
  1. The Forman Transformations
  2. The Compton-Getting Transformation
4. Towards Observational Quantities
  1. A note on the relativistic energy calculations
5. The Parker Transport Equation
  1. The Continuity Equation
  2. The Webb & Gleeson Approach
  3. A note on Liouville’s theorem
6. The Parker Transport Equation in Spherical Coordinates
7. Hierarchy and Validity of Different Approximations
  1. Diffusion-convection Approximation
  2. Force-field Approximation
8. Limitations of the Parker Equation
9. Closing remarks
10. References
Diffusion
1. The basics of diffusion
2. Ascertaining diffusion coefficients
  1. Deriving Diffusion Coefficients from Cosmic Ray Measurements
  2. Simulating Diffusion Coefficients
3. Pitch angle diffusion
  1. Quasi-linear theory
  2. Wave-particle scattering
  3. A note on gyro-resonances
  4. The relationship to parallel transport
4. Parallel diffusion
5. Perpendicular diffusion
  1. Fieldline random walk
  2. Non-linear guiding center theory
6. Discussion
7. References
Drift Effects
1. Basic drift theory
  1. Current Sheet Drift
  2. Electric Field Drift
2. The Combined Drift and Diffusion Tensor
3. Drift Reduction Due to Turbulence
  1. Numerical Test Particle Simulations
  2. Modelling the influence of turbulence
4. Modelling drift effects
5. Drifts in a Parker field
6. Drifts in Cosmic Ray Observations
7. Discussion
8. References
Adiabatic Energy Changes
1. Introduction
2. Thermodynamic Approach: Particles in a Box
3. From First Principles: Charged particle propagation in a plasma
  1. Betatron effect
  2. Inverse Fermi effect
  3. Adiabatic energy loss rate
  4. The adiabatic limit
4. Diffusive Shock Acceleration
  1. Solutions from the Parker equation
5. Discussion
6. References
Concluding Remarks