Physics of the Sun

This volume, together with its two companion volumes, originated in a study commis- sioned by the United States National Academy of Sciences on behalf of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. A committee composed of Tom Holzer, Dimitri Mihalas, Roger Ulrich and myself was asked to prepare a comprehensive review of current knowledge concerning the physics of the sun. We were fortunate in being able to persuade many distinguished scientists to gather their forces for the preparation of 21 separate chapters covering not only. solar physics but also relevant areas of astrophysics and solar-terrestrial relations. In proved necessary to divide the chapters into three separate volumes that cover three different aspects of solar physics. Volumes I and III are concerned with 'The Solar Interior' and with 'Astrophysics and Solar-Terrestrial Relations.' This volume, devoted to 'The Solar Atmosphere,' covers not only the chromosphere and corona but also the principal phenomena usually referred to as 'solar activity.' The emphasis is on identifying and analyzing the relevant physical processes, but each chapter also contains a great deal of descriptive material.