Space, whether interplanetary or interstellar, is filled with plasma or
ionized gas. The success of space exploration must count heavily on the
study and understanding ofthe plasma. With this view, the Symposium
ofPlasma Space Science was held at The Catholic University of America in
Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration and the Goddard Space Flight Center, June 11-14, 1963.
The symposium was organized by Dr. C. C. Chang as director and Dr. Y. C.
Whang as assistant director. The proceedings consist of four parts. The
first part describes the solar phenomena: solar magnetic field, flare,
atmosphere, cosmic rays, radiation, etc. The second part deals with the
solar wind or interplanetary plasma. This includes both theoretical
treatment and experimental measurements of Mariner H. The third part is
concen- trated on magnetosphere, with the measurements on trapped
radiation from natural sources and high altitude thermonuclear
explosions, and particularly with the magnetopause. The fourth and last
part includes the ring current, geomagnetic storms, the aurora, the
ionosphere and lunar surface phenomena. There was round table discussion
in each session. Many interesting comments and stimulating arguments
emerged from the floor and are included in the Proceedings.