SHOCK

Solar and Heliospheric Collisionless Kinetics: Enabling Data Analysis of the Sun to Earth Plasma System with Kinetic Modelling

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'This project brings together leading European groups working in the area of kinetic modelling of space plasma to enhance and accelerate the effective scientific exploitation of existing space plasma data sets and to maximize the scientific return of future space missions, both European and international. The fundamental concept of the project is to take advantage in the European context of the synergies between space plasma modelling and data analysis. At the present time there is a vast store of collected data from robotic space plasma missions and also an increasing awareness that kinetic processes at small length scales and short time scales are crucial for a proper understanding of the fundamental processes which govern the dynamics of heliospheric plasmas from the solar corona outwards. The top level aims of this project are: (1) To provide a focus for the increased use of kinetic simulations in enhancing space data analysis for European Space Agency (ESA) missions such as Cluster, Cassini, Ulysses, Helios, BepiColombo, and Solar Orbiter, but also for international missions such as Themis, MMS, Solar Probe Plus, etc.; (2) To take forward the state of the art in research using kinetic plasma simulations of space plasma systems, so that new models are developed and exploited allowing the synergies between data analysis and code validation to emerge; and (3) To improve our knowledge and understanding of the Sun to Earth plasma system, and fundamental processes such as turbulence, shocks, particle acceleration and reconnection, which have relevance for other astrophysical environments.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

To deepen our understanding of how the Sun influences space weather in the solar system, EU-funded scientists are developing the most detailed simulations of the interaction between solar wind and magnetospheres.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

A multitude of space exploration missions has returned a wealth of data on solar wind, the stream of charged particles continuously emanating from the Sun. During solar storms, the intensity of energetic particles can increase dramatically, wreaking havoc on Earth's communications and power distribution networks.

Current forecasting of this so-called space weather is inaccurate and does not sufficiently help prepare for solar storms. The EU-funded project http://project-shock.eu/ (SHOCK) (Solar and heliosphericcollisionless kinetics: Enabling data analysis of the Sun to earth plasma system with kinetic modelling) was launched to increase our understanding of small-scale kinetic changes in solar wind, with the ultimate goal of advancing space weather prediction.

Traditional simulations of magnetosphere-solar wind interaction are based on magnetohydrodynamics models in which space plasma is treated as a fluid. However, because magnetospheres are dominated by ion kinetic effects, much more realistic models can be developed by treating the ions as particles. Results of these simulations can then be directly compared with spacecraft observations.

SHOCK scientists compared results of such realistic simulations of the interaction between solar wind and Mercury's magnetosphere with observations from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Messenger mission. Research has also been conducted into the structure of Earth's bow shock as this is reproduced in simulations of the magnetosphere-solar wind interaction.

A virtual mission laboratory was developed to visualise the results of kinetic simulations of space plasmas in a format suitable for comparison with data from space missions. The prototype of this web-based application is available http://amalka.asu.cas.cz/esa/ (here) and accessible for both researchers and the general public.

Taking advantage of the synergy between space plasma modelling and data analysis, SHOCK scientists have solved long-lasting mysteries related to turbulence, particle acceleration and reconnection in solar wind. In recent comparisons, these fundamental processes captured in their simulations matched well with observations from the European Space Agency's (ESA) Cluster mission.

SHOCK scientists are continuing to compare their predictions with observations from both NASA and ESA spacecraft. The results will be invaluable in developing more accurate models of solar wind's interaction with magnetospheres, which is key to predicting space weather in the solar system.