SHARP H2020 Project

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Published January 18, 2022 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Quasi-Parallel Shock Reformation Seen by Magnetospheric Multiscale and Ion-Kinetic Simulations

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Swedish Institute of Space Physics; Department of Physics, University of Helsinki
  • 2. Department of Physics, University of Helsinki
  • 3. Department of Physics, University of Helsinki; Finnish Meteorological Institute

Description

Shock waves in collisionless plasmas are among the most efficient particle accelerators in space. Shock reformation is a process important to plasma heating and acceleration, but direct observations of reformation at quasi-parallel shocks have been lacking. Here, we investigate Earth's quasi-parallel bow shock with observations by the four Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft. The multi-spacecraft observations provide evidence of short large-amplitude magnetic structures (SLAMS) causing reformation of the quasi-parallel shock. We perform an ion-kinetic Vlasiator simulation of the bow shock and show that SLAMS reforming the bow shock recreates the multi-spacecraft measurements. This provides a method for identifying shock reformation in the future.

Files

Geophysical Research Letters - 2022 - Johlander - Quasi‐Parallel Shock Reformation Seen by Magnetospheric Multiscale and.pdf

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Additional details

Funding

European Commission
SHARP - SHocks: structure, AcceleRation, dissiPation 101004131