The solar radiation in the form of electromagnetic waves emitted by the sun, travels the extraterrestrial space without any essential interaction with matter, and reaches the earth’s atmosphere. Therein, the beam solar radiation undergoes physic-chemical processes and experiences scattering by (macro) molecules, dust, or other tiny particles in the air. This process creates the solar radiation ...

The solar corona, anomalously hot outer atmosphere of the Sun, is traditionally described by magnetohydrodynamic, fluid-like approach. Here we review some recent developments when, instead, a full kinetic description is used. It is shown that some of the main unsolved problems of solar physics, such as coronal heating and solar flare particle acceleration can be viewed in a new light when the s...

We present a review of the process of magnetic flux emergence in the Sun. We focus on observations and numerical experiments that explore the dynamical rise of magnetic fields from the solar interior to the corona. We describe the response of the highly stratified solar atmosphere on flux emergence and, consequently, we present a comprehensive picture of the coupling between solar dynamic event...

Ionospheric variability (space weather) significantly impacts ground and space-based communications. In essence, the electrically charged particles of the ionosphere (i.e., the partially ionized portion of the atmosphere starting at about 40 nautical miles (nm) above the Earth's surface) can attenuate, totally absorb, reflect, change direction of propagation, and change the phase and amplitude ...

Energetic ions from the solar wind, local pick-up ions or magnetospheric plasma ions impact the atmospheres and surfaces of a number of solar system bodies. These energetic incident ions deposit energy in the gas or solid. This can lead to the ejection of atoms and molecules, a process referred to as sputtering. In this paper we first describe the physics and chemistry of atmospheric and surfac...