Plasma Processes in the Heliosphere

Extract

In this review a few plasma processes in the heliosphere are highlighted. Undoubtedly the major event from mid-1987 to mid-1990 was the Voyager 2 fly by of Neptune on 25 August 1989, of which results are now becoming available. However, most papers dealt with the processing and interpretation of the results from the fly by of Uranus (on 24 January 1986), as well as from earlier encounters with Jupiter and Saturn. Similarly, there continued to be great interest in results from the spacecraft missions to comets P/Giacobini-Zinner and P/Halley in 1985-1986. Mention should also be made of the Phobos missions to Mars and its satellites which yielded valuable scientific results, though unfortunately prematurely aborted. Of necessity, only recent literature will be cited, as these references include earlier ones.