Prominent progress in science is inevitably associated with
controversies. Thus, young researchers, in particular, have to learn how
to persevere during the period of controversy and struggle for
acceptance. Unfortunately, the skills needed are not taught in textbooks
or monographs, which mostly describe the consensus of contemporary
experts.
This book, which is based on my own experiences as a scientist,
describes the history of the progress made in auroral science and
magnetospheric physics by providing examples of ideas, controversies,
struggles, acceptance, and success in some instances.
Although no general methodology (if any exists) is mentioned, I hope
that the reader will learn about the history of progress in auroral
science and examples (right or wrong) of dealing with the controversies.