A space physics book co-edited by a ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ at Boulder administrator has been named the best professional and scholarly book in physics and astronomy for 1998 by the Association of American Publishers.
The book, "New Perspectives on the Earth's Magnetotail," was co-edited by Daniel Baker, director of CU-Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics. The other co-editors were Atsuhiro Nishida of the Institute of Space and Astronomical Sciences in Kanagawa, Japan, and Stanley W.H. Cowley of the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
Earth's magnetotail serves as the reservoir of energy that produces a wide variety of phenomena in the region surrounding Earth that is permeated by its magnetic field. The interaction of the magnetotail with the solar wind provides virtually all of the energy to drive auroral and geomagnetic processes.
The book provides first-hand information on the generation mechanisms for energetic particles. By revealing many of the basic properties of the plasma that fills the universe from the solar system to distant galaxies, it provides a basis for understanding cosmic processes, according to the American Geophysical Union.
The award was made at the annual meeting of the American Association of Publisher's Professional and Scholarly Publishing Division on Feb. 9 in Washington, D.C.