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# Plasma-Universe.com

Know plasma, know 99.999% of the Universe (No plasma, no Universe)

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## Posts

- [Hannes Alfvén](https://www.plasma-universe.com/hannes-alfven/) - Hannes Olof Gösta Alfvén (b. May 30, 1908; Norrköping, Sweden – d. April 2, 1995; Djursholm, Sweden) was a Swedish scientist who is considered one of the founding father of the field of space plasma physics.[2] He made many contributions and discoveries associated with both terrestrial and cosmic plasmas, (not always acknowledged by his peers),
- [Charles Bruce bibliography](https://www.plasma-universe.com/charles-bruce-bibliography/) - Charles E. R. Bruce bibliography Astrophysical and other Papers, Notes, etc. (1927 - 1969) An "A-ref" (eg. A1) indicates that the contribution has some reference to astrophysics (R) denotes that reprints are or were available. "A Rapid and Convenient Method of Sampling". With W.B. Whitney. "Nature", 119, p. 892, 18 June 1927. "The Rupturing
- [Charles Bruce](https://www.plasma-universe.com/charles-bruce/) - Charles Edward Rhodes Bruce (C.E.R. Bruce), MA., DSc., FIEE., FInstP., (19 April 1902 Shettleston, Glasgow - 30 Dec 1979) was a Scottish astrophysicist and writer. He was educated at Edinburgh University where he finished with First Class Honours in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. 1924 he joined the Electrical Research Association (now ERA Technology Ltd) in
- [Electric currents in space plasmas](https://www.plasma-universe.com/electric-currents-in-space-plasmas/) - Just as electric currents generate magnetic fields described by Ampere's law, changing magnetic fields in a plasma (consisting of charged particles) generate electric currents that are described by Faraday's law. The characteristics of the electric current and magnetic field depend on the characteristics and nature of the plasma. In other words, electric currents produce magnetic
- [Plasma Universe](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-universe/) - The Plasma Universe is a model of the Universe in which plasma and its known laboratory properties, plays a more significant role in the Universe than is generally accepted. [1] [2] The Plasma Universe includes the applications of well-known plasma phenomena to many astrophysical fields, such as the acceleration of ions through electric fields in
- [Plasmoid](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasmoid/) - A plasmoid is a coherent structure of plasma and magnetic fields. Plasmoids have been proposed to explain natural phenomena such as ball lightning,[2] magnetic bubbles in the magnetosphere,[3] and objects in cometary tails,[4] in the solar wind,[5][6] in the solar atmosphere,[7] and in the heliospheric current sheet. Plasmoids produced in the laboratory include field-reversed configurations,
- [Types of Plasmas](https://www.plasma-universe.com/types-of-plasmas/) - Plasmas vary according to temperature and density, and have characteristics that scale over many orders of magnitude. Image copyright Contemporary Physics Education Project Introduction 1. What is plasma? 2. Where is plasma? 3. Why is plasma so? 4. Electrified plasmas 5. Plasma filaments 6. Galaxy simulation 7. Complex
- [Plasma cosmology](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-cosmology/) - Plasma cosmology is a model of the origins of the Universe in which plasma and electromagnetic forces play a significant role, and in which an actualistic approach is preferred: i.e. starting from the observed present-state and trying to extrapolate backwards in time to even more ancient states.[2] Hannes Alfvén also investigated the merits of a
- [Dense plasma focus](https://www.plasma-universe.com/dense-plasma-focus/) - A dense plasma focus (DPF) (also plasma gun) is a plasma machine that produces, by electromagnetic acceleration and compression, short-lived plasma that is so hot and dense that it becomes a copious multi-radiation source. It was invented in the early 1960s by J.W. Mather,[1] and also independently by N.V. Filippov.[2] It is also called a
- [Birkeland current](https://www.plasma-universe.com/birkeland-current/) - A Birkeland current usually refers to the electric currents in a planet's ionosphere that follows magnetic field lines (ie field-aligned currents), and sometimes used to described any field-aligned electric current in a space plasma.[3] They are caused by the movement of a plasma perpendicular to a magnetic field. Birkeland currents often show filamentary, or twisted
- [Plasma](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma/) - A plasma (often ionized gas, but see Pseudo-plasma), is a gaseous substance consisting of free charged particles, such as electrons, protons and other ions, that respond very strongly to electromagnetic fields. The free charges make the plasma highly electrically conductive, so that it may carry electric currents, and generate magnetic fields. This may cause the
- [Physics of the Plasma Universe (Book)](https://www.plasma-universe.com/physics-of-the-plasma-universe-book/) - By Anthony L. Peratt 1st Ed. publ. 1992 Springer-Verlag, ISBN 0-387-97575-6 and ISBN 3-540-97575-6 (Out of print. Second-hand copies @ addall.com) 2nd Ed. publ. Sept. 2014. ISBN 978-1-4614-7818-8. Springer.[1] The content below refers to the first edition. Extract "The purpose of this book is to address the growing recognition of the need for plasma physics
- [Dusty plasma](https://www.plasma-universe.com/dusty-plasma/) - A dusty plasma (or complex plasma) is a plasma containing nanometer or micrometer-sized particles suspended in it. Dust particles may be charged and the plasma and particles behave as a plasma [1] [2], following electromagnetic laws for particle up to about 10 nm (or 100 nm if large charges are present). Dust particles may acrete
- [Aurora](https://www.plasma-universe.com/aurora/) - The aurora (plural aurorae/auroras) is a bright glow observed in the night sky, usually in the polar zone. For this reason some scientists call it a "polar aurora" (or "aurora polaris"). In northern latitudes, it is known as the aurora borealis (IPA Template:IPA), which is named after the Roman goddess of the dawn, Aurora, and
- [Plasma Universe Timeline](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-universe-timeline/) - Contents 1 Timeline 1.1 -5th Century (BCE) 1.2 17th Century 1.3 18th Century 1.4 19th Century 1.5 20th Century 2 Anniversaries 2.1 January 2.2 February 2.3 March 2.4 April 2.5 May 2.6 June 2.7 July 2.8 August 2.9 September 2.10 October 2.11 November 2.12 December 3 Notes Timeline -5th Century (BCE) c.500BC, Heraclitus of Ephesus
- [Laboratory astrophysics](https://www.plasma-universe.com/laboratory-astrophysics/) - Laboratory astrophysics is a branch of physics which attempts to "simulate celestial bodies in a terrestrial laboratory". Kang et al note that: "Despite huge differences in time and space scales and other parameters between astronomical phenomena and laboratory environments, the idea of laboratory simulation is based on the fact that both systems are described generally
- [Galaxy formation](https://www.plasma-universe.com/galaxy-formation/) - Galaxy formation in the Plasma Universe is modeled as two adjacent interacting Birkeland filaments. The simulation produces a flat rotation curve, but no hypothetical dark matter is needed, as required by the conventional model of galaxy formation. The simulations derive from the work of Winston H. Bostick who obtained similar results from interacting plasmoids.[1] [2]
- [Winston H. Bostick](https://www.plasma-universe.com/winston-h-bostick/) - Winston H. Bostick (b. 5 March 1916 Freeport, IL - d. 19 January 1991 Tijuana, Mexico)[1] was a physicist and former head of the physics department at the Stevens Institute of Technology. His research interests included the plasma focus, plasma vortex phenomena, plasmoids, simulation of cosmical astrophysics by plasma physics experiments in the laboratory, showing
- [Winston H. Bostick/Newspaper clippings](https://www.plasma-universe.com/winston-h-bostick-newspaper-clippings/) - Winston H. Bostick newspaper clippings. Note: For peer-reviewed articles on this subject, see Bostick's bibligraphy and the article on plasmoids. Scientists Generated Needed Temperature To Tap H-Power (11 Dec 1956) Scientists Generated Needed Temperature To Tap H-Power WASHINGTON (UP) — Scientists disclosed Tuesday that they have generated in their labs the multi-million-degree temperatures needed to
- [Plasma Universe / Big Bang comparison](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-universe-big-bang-comparison/) - Plasma astrophysicists investigate a wide range of astrophysical phenomena. Many apply their expertise to some of the latest topics in astrophysics, such as the Standard Cosmology, black holes, active galaxies nuclei, neutron stars and dark matter. Other plasma physicists such as Hannes Alfvén, and others, took a different view, which is compared in the table
- [Neutron star](https://www.plasma-universe.com/neutron-star/) - A Neutron star is a type of pulsar. These are stars that have extremely short periods of variability in their production of EM radiation (both light and radio frequency emissions) . When they were first discovered it was thought that they rotated rapidly - like lighthouses. But when the observed rate of "rotation" got up
- [About Quasi-neutrality](https://www.plasma-universe.com/about-quasi-neutrality/) - The quasi-neutrality of plasmas, means they tend overall to be electrically neutral. But plasmas can also violate quasi-neutrality, producing charged regions in double layers and particle beams, such as in M87's jet, above. Introduction 1. What is plasma? 2. Where is plasma? 3. Why is plasma so? 4. Electrified plasmas
- [Emil Wolf](https://www.plasma-universe.com/emil-wolf/) - Emil Wolf (July 30, 1922 - June 2018) is a Czech born American physicist who made advancements in physical optics, including diffraction, coherence properties of optical fields, spectroscopy of partially coherent radiation, and the theory of direct scattering and inverse scattering. He is the co-author, along with Max Born, of one of the standard textbooks
- [Wolf Effect](https://www.plasma-universe.com/wolf-effect/) - The Wolf Effect (sometimes Wolf shift) is a frequency shift in the electromagnetic spectrum, that has been described as a new redshift mechanism.[2][3][4] The phenomenon occurs in several closely related phenomena in radiation physics, with analogous effects occurring in the scattering of light.[5] It was first predicted by Emil Wolf in 1987 [6] [7] and
- [Plasma redshift](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-redshift/) - Plasma redshift is a theortical redshift mechanism which occurs when a photon enters a hot, sparse electron plasma. Derived by Ari Brynjolfsson, his paper notes: "Abstract: A new interaction, plasma redshift, is derived, which is important only when photons penetrate a hot, sparse electron plasma. The derivation of plasma redshift is based entirely on conventional
- [Sun and stars](https://www.plasma-universe.com/sun-and-stars/) - See also Star formation A Star and hence our Sun, is an almost entirely ionized ball of plasma, consisting of electrons and ions, in which there is hardly any gas (neutral atoms). The movement of the plasma produces strong magnetic fields and corresponding electric currents. The structure of our Sun is thought to include (from
- [Space plasma](https://www.plasma-universe.com/space-plasma/) - Space plasmas or astrophysical plasmas, are prolific; the visible universe is at least 99.999% plasma, and includes: Solar plasma (stellar plasma) in the Sun and stars including the core, photosphere (visible surface), chromosphere, corona, and heliosphere The solar wind or interplanetary plasma (the space between the planets) including the heliospheric current sheet The interstellar medium
- [Filamentation](https://www.plasma-universe.com/filamentation/) - Filamentation (or filamentary structure) is often seen in plasmas. It is created because plasma contains free electrons, making it highly electrically conductive -- even more than metals, and even in tenuous cosmic plasmas. As charged particles readily move in a plasma, a ring of magnetic field forms around the current that can pinch it into
- [Heliospheric current circuit](https://www.plasma-universe.com/heliospheric-current-circuit/) - Hannes Alfvén considered the heliospheric current sheet to be part of a heliospheric current system, as he believed all cosmic plasmas to be part of a "plasma circuit". [2] [3] The Sun behaves as a unipolar inductor producing a current that flows outwards along both axes B2, and inwards in the equatorial plane, C, and
- [Particle beam](https://www.plasma-universe.com/particle-beam/) - A particle beam (sometimes plasma beam, or charged particle beam) is an accelerated stream of charged particles such as electrons and protons, often accelerated towards the speed of light. In the laboratory, such beams are created by particle accelerators such as cathode ray tubes, cyclotrons, and the dense plasma focus. In nature, particle beams are
- [Pinch](https://www.plasma-universe.com/pinch/) - A pinch (alternately called a "knot," "Bennett pinch"[1] (after Willard Harrison Bennett), "electromagnetic pinch"[2], "magnetic pinch"[3], the "pinch effect"[4] or "plasma pinch"[5]) is the compression of an electrically conducting filament by magnetic forces. The conductor is usually a plasma, but could also be a solid or liquid metal. In a z-pinch, the current is axial
- [Unipolar inductor](https://www.plasma-universe.com/unipolar-inductor/) - A Unipolar inductor usually refers to a device in which a rotating metal disk rotating in a magnetic field, generates an electric current. The metal disk can be any conductor, including a rotating plasma. It is also known as a homopolar generator, unipolar generator, acyclic generator, disk dynamo, or Faraday disk. Astrophysical unipolar inductors Unipolar
- [Kristian Birkeland](https://www.plasma-universe.com/kristian-birkeland/) - Kristian Olaf Bernhard Birkeland (13 December 1867 - 15 June 1917) was a Norwegian scientist who has been called "the first space scientist"[1] and "the father of plasma experiments in the laboratory and space"[2] [3] [4]. He is perhaps most well-known for his scientific work on the aurora using a terrella (a magnetized globe), and
- [The Norwegian Aurora Polaris Expedition 1902-1903 (Book)](https://www.plasma-universe.com/the-norwegian-aurora-polaris-expedition-1902-1903-book/) - By Kristian Birkeland. Publ. by H. Aschehoug & Co. Section 1 published 1908; Section 2 publ. 1913. Out of print. Online in full FULL TEXT Extract: Section 2 Chapter VI: On Possible Electric Phenomena in Solar Systems and Nebulae From the Preface In his Preface, Birkeland writes: "The knowledge gained, since 1896, in radio-activity has
- [On Possible Electric Phenomena in Solar Systems and Nebulae By Kristian_Birkeland](https://www.plasma-universe.com/on-possible-electric-phenomena-in-solar-systems-and-nebulae-by-kristian_birkeland/) - 1 Note 2 Chapter VI. On Possible Electric Phenomena in Solar Systems and Nebulae 2.1 The Sun 2.2 The Worlds in the Universe Note Extracted from: The Norwegian Aurora Polaris Expedition 1902-1903 By Kristian_Birkeland Volume 1: On the Cause of Magnetic Storms and The Origin of Terrestrial Magnetism Section 2. Chapter VI (published 1913) Original
- [Astrophysical plasma](https://www.plasma-universe.com/astrophysical-plasma/) - An astrophysical plasma is a plasma (an ionised gas) found in astronomy whose physical properties are studied in the science of astrophysics. The vast majority of the volume of the universe is thought to consist of plasma, a state of matter in which atoms and molecules are so hot, that they have ionized by breaking
- [Comets: Kristian Birkeland's theory](https://www.plasma-universe.com/comets-kristian-birkelands-theory/) - Kristian Birkeland's theory of comets derives from his laboratory experiments with rarefied gases in a discharge tube. He presented his theories in his book, The Norwegian Aurora Polaris Expedition 1902-1903 published in 1913. [1] (See reference for download link to section full text). Birkeland's theory describes how comets interact with "corpuscle rays" (the plasma of
- [Comet](https://www.plasma-universe.com/comet/) - A comet is a body in the solar system that orbits the Sun. It consists of a nucleus that is perhaps made of rock, dust, and ice, and may exhibits a coma (atmosphere, with associated ionosphere, magnetosphere, sometimes called a plasmasphere), and/or one or more tails: an ion tail (or plasma tail) and dust tail.
- [Kristian Birkeland bibliography](https://www.plasma-universe.com/kristian-birkeland-bibliography/) - Articles attributed to Kristian Birkeland. Sources: (a) Kristian Olaf Bernhard Birkeland (in Norwegian, at The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology) (b) Catalogue of Scientific Papers (1800-1900), by Royal Society Great Britain, C. J. Clay and sons, 1867-1902. Note: Items in green are available in full text. Some images may show the incorrect page, in
- [Plasma Universe resources](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-universe-resources/) - 1 Books 1.1 Physics of the Plasma Universe by Anthony L. Peratt 1.2 The Electric Sky by Donald E. Scott 1.3 The Big Bang Never Happened by Eric J. Lerner 1.4 Cosmic Plasma by Hannes Alfvén 1.5 Cosmical Electrodynamics by Hannes Alfvén and Carl-Gunne Fälthammar 1.6 The Norwegian Aurora Polaris Expedition 1902-1903 by Kristian Birkeland
- [Terrella](https://www.plasma-universe.com/terrella/) - A terrella is a small magnetised model ball representing the Earth, that is thought to have been invented by William Gilbert while investigating magnetism, and further developed 300 years later by the Norwegian scientist and explorer Kristian Birkeland, while investigating the aurora. William Gilbert wrote: "To this round stone we give the name Μικρόγη (microge)
- [Klein-Alfvén Cosmology](https://www.plasma-universe.com/klein-alfven-cosmology/) - Klein-Alfvén Cosmology (sometimes Alfvén-Klein cosmology,[1] and also "symmetric cosmology"[2]) is based on work by Oskar Klein, on a universe containing equal amounts of matter and antimatter, that was further developed with Hannes Alfvén. The Professor of history of science and technology at the University of Aarhus, Helge Kragh,[3] writes: "Developing ideas due to his senior
- [Pseudo-plasma](https://www.plasma-universe.com/pseudo-plasma/) - A pseudo-plasma is one that approximates a real plasma, and consequently one whose properties and characteristics may not accurately describe a real plasma. In 1974, Alfvén's theoretical work on field-aligned electric currents in the aurora, based on earlier work by Kristian Birkeland, was confirmed by satellite, and Birkeland currents were discovered. In his later years,
- [Why is plasma so?](https://www.plasma-universe.com/why-is-plasma-so/) - Plasma react very strongly to electromagnetic forces, and is the dominant force in many cosmic plasmas, e.g. stellar surfaces, active galactic nuclei, interplanetary, interstellar and intergalactic space.[1] Introduction 1. What is plasma? 2. Where is plasma? 3. Why is plasma so? 4. Electrified plasmas 5. Plasma filaments 6. Galaxy
- [From lab to space](https://www.plasma-universe.com/from-lab-to-space/) - Plasma Universe research derives from laboratory experiments, such as the dense plasma focus above, with pioneers such as Kristian Birkeland, Hannes Alfvén, Winston H. Bostick. Compare this image with the nebula, far left Introduction 1. What is plasma? 2. Where is plasma? 3. Why is plasma so? 4. Electrified plasmas
- [Galaxy simulation](https://www.plasma-universe.com/galaxy-simulation/) - Computer simulations of two interacting Birkeland currents with plasma clouds trapped in parallel magnetic filaments simulate evolving galaxy formations, without the need for dark matter and black holes! Introduction 1. What is plasma? 2. Where is plasma? 3. Why is plasma so? 4. Electrified plasmas 5. Plasma filaments 6.
- [Plasma filaments](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-filaments/) - Strong radial magnetic fields can make a plasma pinch like the hourglass-shaped nebula above; produce characteristic filaments like in the plasma ball (top row); and produce particle beams as seen in the dense plasma focus. Introduction 1. What is plasma? 2. Where is plasma? 3. Why is plasma so? 4. Electrified
- [Where is plasma?](https://www.plasma-universe.com/where-is-plasma/) - The visible Universe is 99.999% plasma. The Sun is about 100% plasma, as are all stars. Plasma makes up nearly 100% of the interplanetary, interstellar and intergalactic medium. The Earth's ionosphere is plasma. Introduction 1. What is plasma? 2. Where is plasma? 3. Why is plasma so? 4. Electrified plasmas
- [Electrified plasmas](https://www.plasma-universe.com/electrified-plasmas/) - Space plasma moving through a magnetic field generates its own electric current, can act as a unipolar inductor, and conducts electricity better than metals, e.g. the heliospheric current sheet above, and Birkeland currents. Introduction 1. What is plasma? 2. Where is plasma? 3. Why is plasma so? 4. Electrified plasmas
- [Complex dusty plasmas](https://www.plasma-universe.com/complex-dusty-plasmas/) - A gas as little as 1% ionized may behave as a plasma (e.g. the ionosphere). In addition to light and friction, dust and grains are charged inside a plasma, and behave as one, such as the Glowing Eye Nebula, above Introduction 1. What is plasma? 2. Where is plasma? 3. Why is
- [What is plasma?](https://www.plasma-universe.com/what-is-plasma/) - What is plasma? We're familiar with solids, liquids and gases, such as solid ice, liquid water and gaseous steam. But heat atoms more, and they 'split' into free ions and electrons: a plasma, e.g., the electrified aurora, above. Introduction 1. What is plasma? 2. Where is plasma? 3. Why is plasma so?
- [Heliospheric current sheet](https://www.plasma-universe.com/heliospheric-current-sheet/) - The Heliospheric current sheet (HCS) is the surface within the Solar System where the polarity of the Sun's magnetic field changes from north to south. This field extends from the Sun's equatorial plane throughout the entire Solar System and is the largest structure in the heliosphere.[1] The shape of the current sheet results from the
- [Redshift](https://www.plasma-universe.com/redshift/) - In physics and astronomy, redshift occurs when the electromagnetic radiation, usually visible light, that is emitted from or reflected off of an object is shifted towards the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum. More generally, redshift is defined as an increase in the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation] received by a detector compared with the wavelength
- [Plasma scaling](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-scaling/) - The parameters of plasmas, including their spatial and temporal extent, vary by many orders of magnitude. Nevertheless, there are significant similarities in the behaviors of apparently disparate plasmas. It is not only of theoretical interest to understand the scaling of plasma behavior, it also allows the results of laboratory experiments to be applied to larger
- [Alfvén wave](https://www.plasma-universe.com/alfven-wave/) - An Alfvén wave is a wave that occurs in a plasma (or conducting fluid), resulting from the interaction of the magnetic fields and electric currents within it, causing an oscillation of the ions. Alfvén wrote in a letter to the journal Nature in 1942: "If a conducting liquid is placed in a constant magnetic field,
- [99.999% plasma](https://www.plasma-universe.com/99-999-plasma/) - The visible universe is 99.999% plasma. So quite simply, if you don't know how plasmas behave, you don't know how the Universe behaves. It is worth noting that all cosmic plasma carries a magnetic field and electric currents. Even plasmas that are less than 1% ionized, may behave as a plasma, as do dusty plasmas
- [Debye length](https://www.plasma-universe.com/debye-length/) - In plasma physics, the Debye length, named after the Dutch physical chemist Peter Debye, is the scale over which mobile charge carriers (e.g. electrons) screen out electric fields in plasmas and other conductors. In other words, the Debye length is the distance over which significant charge separation can occur. A Debye sphere is a volume
- [Irving Langmuir](https://www.plasma-universe.com/irving-langmuir/) - Irving Langmuir (January 31, 1881 in Brooklyn, New York - August 16, 1957 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts) was an American chemist and physicist. His most noted publication was the famous 1919 article "The Arrangement of Electrons in Atoms and Molecules" in which, building on Gilbert Lewis's cubical atom theory and Walther Kossel's chemical bonding theory,
- [Plasma instability](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-instability/) - A Plasma instability is a region where turbulence occurs due to changes in the characteristics of a plasma (eg. temperature, density, electric fields, magneti fields). As the name suggests, instabilities are unstable, though they may appear to evolve through different forms (morphology). Similar types of instability are common in fluids (liquids and gases). Categorization Plasma
- [Quasi-neutrality](https://www.plasma-universe.com/quasi-neutrality/) - Quasi-neutrality (quasi, from the Latin, "as if", "resembling") describes the apparent charge neutrality of a plasma overall, while at smaller scales, the positive and negative charges making up the plasma, may give rise to charged regions and electric fields. Since electrons are very mobile, plasmas are excellent conductors of electricity, and any charges that develop
- [Pulsar](https://www.plasma-universe.com/pulsar/) - A pulsar (pulsating star) is an astronomical object which produces a regular pulse of radio waves (electromagnetic radiation) which is conventionally thought to be due to a rotating neutron star. The Plasma Universe explains pulsars as a "magnetospheric transmission line system": "In the three decades since their discovery, the accumulated body of observational data from
- [Transactions on Plasma Science](https://www.plasma-universe.com/transactions-on-plasma-science/) - The IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society (NPSS) is a transnational group of about 3000 professional engineers and scientists.[1] The IEEE-affiliated Society sponsors seven conferences and symposia, and two peer-reviewed journals.[2] The IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization with more than 360,000 members in around 175 countries. History of the NPSS In 1947,
- [Willard Harrison Bennett](https://www.plasma-universe.com/willard-harrison-bennett/) - Willard Harrison Bennett (June 13, 1903 – September 28, 1987) was a scientist and inventor, born in Findlay, Ohio. Bennett conducted research into plasma physics, astrophysics, geophysics, surface physics, and physical chemistry. The Bennett pinch is named after him. Biography Born in Findlay, Ohio, Bennett attended Carnegie Institute of Technology from 1920-22 and Ohio State
- [Plasma Universe Calendar](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-universe-calendar/) - The Plasma Universe 2014 calendar features a dozen awe-inspiring images of the cosmos, in which plasma plays an important role. While plasma makes up a considerable proportion of the Universe, not everyone knows its incredible properties... from its ability to form filaments, constrict into "pinches", conduct electricity better than metals, and form particle beams that
- [Electricity in Space by Hannes Alfvén](https://www.plasma-universe.com/electricity-in-space-by-hannes-alfven/) - First published in 1948 in the book The New Astronomy, Chapter 2, Section III, page 74 -79. 2nd ed. publ. 1955, Simon and Schuster, A Scientific American book [p.48] Hannes Alfvén is an original contributor to the potent new discipline of magnetohydrodynamic, to which he brings a background of work in such varied and related
- [Magnetohydrodynamics](https://www.plasma-universe.com/magnetohydrodynamics/) - Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) (magnetofluiddynamics or hydromagnetics) is the academic discipline which studies the dynamics of electrically conducting fluids. Examples of such fluids include plasmas, liquid metals, and salt water. The word magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is derived from magneto- meaning magnetic field, and hydro- meaning liquid, and -dynamics meaning movement. The field of MHD was initiated by Hannes
- [Plasma Universe predictions](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-universe-predictions/) - Successful predictions attributed to the Plasma Universe (and Plasma Cosmology), and its pioneers and proponents, are considerable. These are just a small sample. Hannes Alfvén Predictions attributed to Hannes Alfvén by Professor of the History of Science, Stephen G. Brush, include:[1] Magnetic braking.[2] Magnetohydrodynamic waves (Alfvén waves) [3] [4] Field-aligned ("Birkeland") currents [5] Critical ionization
- [Critical ionization velocity](https://www.plasma-universe.com/critical-ionization-velocity/) - Critical ionization velocity (CIV, also called Critical velocity, CV) is the relative velocity between a neutral gas and plasma (an ionized gas), at which the neutral gas will start to ionize. If more energy is supplied, the velocity of the atoms or molecules will not exceed the critical ionization velocity until the gas becomes almost
- [Plasma classification (types of plasma)](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-classification-types-of-plasma/) - Plasmas are described by many characteristics, such as temperature, degree of ionization, and density, the magnitude of which, and approximations of the model describing them, gives rise to plasmas that may be classified in different ways. Contents 1 Pseudo-plasmas vs real plasmas 2 Cold, warm and hot plasmas 2.1 Hot plasma (thermal plasma) 2.2 Warm
- [Fire (flame)](https://www.plasma-universe.com/fire-flame/) - Fire (flames) may contain plasma, albeit one that is a partially ionized plasma, and dominated by collisions: "Whether a plasma exists in a flame depends on the material being burned and the temperature".[1] The Contemporary Physics Education Project produces a poster on plasmas (see right) in which flames (ie. fire) is shown as a plasma.[2]
- [An Open Letter to the Scientific Community](https://www.plasma-universe.com/an-open-letter-to-the-scientific-community/) - In 2004, New Scientist, published an open letter from Eric Lerner and about 30 other scientists,[1] criticizing the Big Bang theory, and noting that there are other theories to consider. The text of the letter is reproduced in full below. It originally appeared at cosmologystatement.org (copy). Full text An Open Letter to the Scientific Community
- [Alpha-Centauri medal](https://www.plasma-universe.com/alpha-centauri-medal/) - The Alpha-Centauri medal was created by Hannes Alfvén, and is to be given to the first person who is able to prove whether the star Alpha-Centauri is made of either normal matter or anti-matter. The medal is held by the American Geophysical Union (AGU). A drawing of the medal can be seen in EOS Transactions,
- [Plasma: the first state of matter](https://www.plasma-universe.com/plasma-the-first-state-of-matter/) - Estimated to be 99.999% of the visible universe, cosmic plasma may be considered to be the first state of matter, that preceded the other states of matter in the history of the evolution of the Universe. Here on Earth where plasma is less common, it is often considered to be the fourth state of matter,
- [Nebula](https://www.plasma-universe.com/nebula/) - A nebula (Latin: "mist"; pl. nebulae or nebulæ, with ligature; from Greek nephele, "cloud") is an interstellar cloud of dust, gas and plasma. Originally nebula was a general name for any extended astronomical object, including galaxies beyond the Milky Way (some examples of the older usage survive; for example, the Andromeda Galaxy is sometimes referred
- [Marklund convection](https://www.plasma-universe.com/marklund-convection/) - Marklund convection (after Göran Marklund) is a natural plasma convection process that takes place in filamentary currents, that may cause chemical separation. It may occur within a plasma with an associated electric field, that causes convection of ions and electrons inward towards a central twisting filamentary axis. A temperature gradient within the plasma will also
- [Gravity](https://www.plasma-universe.com/gravity/) - Gravity is a phenomenon through which all objects with mass attract each other. The force is proportional to the mass of the objects (ie. double the mass produces double the force), and inversely proportional to the square of the distance (ie. double the distance, produces four times less force). Charged particles up to the size
- [Gravitoelectrodynamics](https://www.plasma-universe.com/gravitoelectrodynamics/) - See also: Dusty plasmas: dynamics Gravito-electrodynamics is the physics of the influence of gravity and electromagnetic forces on particle. The motion of solid particles in a plasma follows the momentum equation for ions and electrons: where m, q are the mass and charge of the particle, g is the gravitation acceleration, mvcv is due to
- [Gamma ray bursts](https://www.plasma-universe.com/gamma-ray-bursts/) - Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most luminous electromagnetic events occurring in the universe. They are flashes of gamma rays emanating from seemingly random places in deep space at random times. The duration of a gamma-ray burst is typically a few seconds, but can range from a few milliseconds to several minutes, and the initial burst
- [Eric Lerner](https://www.plasma-universe.com/eric-lerner/) - Eric J. Lerner (b. 1947 Brookline, MA. USA) is an award-winning popular science writer, plasma researcher and advocate of plasma cosmology,[2] In 1991, he authored The Big Bang Never Happened, a popular science book highlighting Plasma Cosmology in comparison to the Big Bang theory. He has also had a number of peer-reviewed papers published, an
- [Electromagnetic force](https://www.plasma-universe.com/electromagnetic-force/) - Electromagnetic forces occur when an electromagnetic field interacts with electrically charged particles, such as those that make up a plasma (ie. electrons, protons and other ions). It include the electric force, which produces electric fields between charged forces, and the magnetic force, which manifests itself as magnetic fields wherever there are moving charges. Plasmas interact
- [Electric glow discharge](https://www.plasma-universe.com/electric-glow-discharge/) - Electric glow discharge is a type of plasma formed by passing a current at 100 V to several kV through a gas, usually argon or another noble gas. It is found in products such as fluorescent lights and plasma-screen televisions, and is used in plasma physics and analytical chemistry, and has been proposed as an
- [Electric Space](https://www.plasma-universe.com/electric-space/) - Electric Space is a term coined in association with the Plasma Universe in the 1990s, to emphasize the importance of electric fields in the plasma throughout the Universe. [1] (Main article: Electric currents in space plasmas) The "Electric Space" metaphor was coined by Dr. Carolyn T. Brown, Assistant Associate Librarian for Area Studies at the
- [Double layer](https://www.plasma-universe.com/double-layer/) - A double layer is a structure in a plasma and consists of two parallel layers with opposite electrical charge. The sheets of charge cause a strong electric field and a correspondingly sharp change in voltage (electrical potential) across the double layer. Ions and electrons which enter the double layer are accelerated, decelerated, or reflected by
- [Diocotron instability](https://www.plasma-universe.com/diocotron-instability/) - The diocotron instability (also called the slipping stream plasma instability), is "one of the most ubiquitous instabilities in low density nonneutral plasmas with shear in the flow velocity [.. that can ..] occur in propagating non-neutral electron beams and layers".[2] [3] It may give rise to electron vortices,[4], which resembles the Kelvin-Helmholtz fluid dynamical shear
- [Current sheet](https://www.plasma-universe.com/current-sheet/) - A current sheet is an electrical current that is confined to a surface, rather than being spread through a volume of space. Current sheets feature in magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), the study of the behavior of electrically conductive fluids: if an electric current flows through part of the volume of such a fluid, magnetic forces tend to
- [Cosmic Plasma (Book)](https://www.plasma-universe.com/cosmic-plasma-book/) - By Hannes Alfvén Publ. 1981. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, Vol. 82 (1981) Springer Verlag. ISBN 90-277-1151-8. Buy Extract: The aims of the present monograph may be summarized as follows: (1) Attention will be given to the question of how much knowledge can be gained by a systematic comparison of different regions of plasma. We
- [Charged particle drift](https://www.plasma-universe.com/charged-particle-drift/) - In many cases of practical interest, the motion in a magnetic field of an electrically charged particle (such as an electron or ion in a plasma) can be treated as the superposition of a relatively fast circular motion around a point called the guiding center and a relatively slow drift of this point. The drift
- [Carl-Gunne Fälthammar](https://www.plasma-universe.com/carl-gunne-falthammar/) - Carl-Gunne Fälthammar (b. 4 December 1931, Markaryd, Sweden) is Professor Emeritus at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, specialising in space and plasma physics in the School of Electrical Engineering. He succeeded Hannes Alfvén as Professor of Plasma Physics in 1975.[1] His research interests include plasma electrodynamics, with application to space and astrophysical
- [Per Carlqvist](https://www.plasma-universe.com/per-carlqvist/) - Per Carlqvist (b. July 25, [1938 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish plasma physicist with an interest in astrophysical applications.[1] In 1963, he received the degree of civilingenjör from the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, in 1970 the Tekn. lic., and in 1980 the Tekn. D. He is currently affiliated with the Royal Institute of
- [Black hole](https://www.plasma-universe.com/black-hole/) - A Black hole is a theoretical cosmic object with a tremendous mass, and hence gravitational force, from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The Plasma Universe is agnostic on the existence of black holes, proposing that well-known laboratory plasma physics and electromagnetic forces are responsible for certain cosmic phenomena that others attribute to black
- [Hannes Alfvén bibliography](https://www.plasma-universe.com/hannes-alfven-bibliography/) - Introduction This is a bibliographic list of paper by Hannes Alfvén. Click on article title for bibliographic record (often including an abstract) Titles in green additionally include a link to the full text article Bibliographical list The Ref number in the first column is from the article "Hannes Olof Gosta Alfven. 30 May 1908-2 April
- [Irving Langmuir bibliography](https://www.plasma-universe.com/irving-langmuir-bibliography/) - Complete list of papers of Dr Irving Langmuir as they appear in the "Collected Works of Irving Langmuir", edited by C. Guy Suits, 12 vols. Published 1962, with the editorial assistance of the General Electric Co. by Pergamon Press Numbers refer to the order in which the papers were published. JACS = Journal of the
- [Pseudoskepticism](https://www.plasma-universe.com/pseudoskepticism/) - The terms pseudoskepticism (sometimes pseudo-skepticism) and pathological skepticism are used to denote the phenomena when certain forms of skepticism deviate from objectivity. The term has been in limited use in philosophy for more than a century, but has only recently been the object of more systematic attempts at defining the concept. The most well known
- [Star formation](https://www.plasma-universe.com/star-formation/) - Star formation in the plasma universe begins with an electromagnetic "Pinch Compression of Dark Interstellar Clouds". This is the "Alfvén-Carlqvist Model for Star Formation in Pinched Filaments".[1] Alfvén-Carlqvist Model Hannes Alfvén and Per Carlqvist write:[2] According to the conventional view, star formation is due to a Jeans collapse of a massive interstellar cloud. The difficulty
- [Synchrotron radiation](https://www.plasma-universe.com/synchrotron-radiation/) - Synchrotron radiation is electromagnetic radiation, similar to cyclotron radiation, but generated by the acceleration of ultrarelativistic (i.e., moving near the speed of light) electrons through magnetic fields. This may be achieved artificially by storage rings in a synchrotron, or naturally by fast moving electrons moving through magnetic fields in space. The radiation typically includes infrared,

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