Propagation of Solar Disturbances - Theories and Models

Recent theoretical developments and construction of several models for the propagation of solar disturbances from the Sun and their continuation throughout heliospheric space are discussed. Emphasis centers on physical mechanisms as well as mathematical techniques (i.e., analytical and numerical methods). This outline will lead to a discussion of the present state-of-art of theoretically-based modeling efforts in this area. It is shown that the fundamental theory for the study of propagation of disturbances in heliospheric space is centered around the self-consistent analysis of wave and mass motion within the context of magnetohydrodynamics in which the small-scale structures will be modified by kinetic effects. Finally, brief mention is made of some interesting problems for which attention is needed for advancement of our understanding the physics of large-scale propagation of solar disturbances in heliospheric space.