Solar wind and its interaction with the magnetosphere

A short su mm ary of th e properties of th e solar wind , as they apply to the interac tion process with th e earth 's magnetosphere, is give n.Necessary co nditi ons on th e bow shoc k are di sc ussed and are co mp ared to experim e ntal e vidence from seve ral space probes.Th e imp ortan ce of th e downstream o r post•shock Aow is e mphasized .Power s pec tra and details of the turbul e nce in thi s region a re reviewed.Limitation s du e to th e very preliminary statu s of IMP da ta ana lys is a re em phas ized.