Plasma physics in the solar system

The lecture series will start with some fundamental principles of cosmic physics. The main topics will deal with the sun, the interplanetary plasma, planetary magnetospheres, and energetic particles in the solar system. This includes the role of the sun in forming the heliosphere; manifestations of solar activity and the solar cycle, from large scale structures of the interplanetary medium to climatic changes; formation of the planetary magnetospheres by interactions between the solar wind and planetary magnetic fields; the diversities of charged particle acceleration, in particular the role of collisionless shocks in the solar system. Some specific space projects exploring the heliosphere will be presented.