Introduction

Magnetospheric ULF waves are a fundamental element of magnetospheric physics. Although the basic properties of the waves are known from magnetohydrodynamic and kinetic theory, the magnetosphere’s large size, strong inhomogeneity, and dynamic interaction with the solar wind make it very challenging to understand the waves quantitatively. In the past decade we have combined experimental and theoretical techniques to make a significant progress in each of the three major research areas on ULF waves: Excitation and Propagation; Interaction With Plasma and Energetic Particles; and Magnetospheric Diagnostics. This book contains an overview of the progress as presented by experts in this field, based on their presentations made in the 2005 Chapman Conference on Magnetospheric ULF Waves.