Science involves a well orchestrated interplay between
theory and experiment. Past unexplained observations suggest
new questions to be asked, and answering these questions
many times requires new observational techniques or
at least new applications of old techniques. Solar system
plasma physics is a classic example of the scientific process at
work and has benefited from the rapid technological exploration
of our near space environment over the last 35 years.
This book is a 1988 snapshot of the scientific process in solar
system plasma physics. It is structured by a series of scientific
questions. Under each of these headings are theoretical
papers which review the pertinent science and properly
formulate the question in specific observational terms. These
are followed by experimental papers which address the
present state of observational techniques which can be used
to investigate these outstanding problems. In addition, two
introductory papers offer overviews of the fields of solar
physics and magnetospheric physics; each addresses itself,
as a kind of short course in its respective discipline, to
scientists from the other discipline.