Kristian Birkeland The First Space Scientist /

• Main Authors: Egeland, Alv (Author), Burke, William J. (Author)
• Corporate Author: SpringerLink (Online service)
• Format: Electronic eBook
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands, 2005.
• Series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library ; 325
• Subjects: Physics.; History.; Astronomy.; Astrophysics.; Cosmology.; Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology.; History, general.; Popular Science in Astronomy.

At the beginning of the 20th century Kristian Birkeland (1867-1917), a Norwegian scientist of insatiable curiosity, addressed questions that had vexed European scientists for centuries. Why do the northern lights appear overhead when the Earth’s magnetic field is disturbed? How are magnetic storms c...

Table of Contents:

• Background and Education
• At the 19th Century's End
• A New Abel
• Introduction: Tempora Mutant Et Nos Cum Illis Mutamur
• Geomagnetic and Solar System Research
• Aurora in a Vacuum Chamber
• The Norwegian Auroral Expeditions
• The Universe in a Vacuum Chamber
• Technology and Applied Physics
• Fast Switches and Electromagnetic Cannons
• In as Little as Four Years
• Birkeland the Man
• As Seen in his Own Time
• Consummatus in Brevi, Explevit Tempora Multa
• Birkeland's Heritage
• From Small Acorns
• In Memoriam.