In situ observations of high-Mach number collisionless shocks in space plasmas

doi:10.1088/0741-3335/55/12/124035

In situ observations of high-Mach number collisionless shocks in space plasmas

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In situ observations of high-Mach number collisionless shocks in space plasmas

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punktacja MEiN [2013 A]: 30

title:	In situ observations of high-Mach number collisionless shocks in space plasmas
author:	Masters A., Stawarz Łukasz , Fujimoto M., Schwartz S. J., Sergis N., Thomsen M. F., Retinò A., Hasegawa H., Zieger B., Lewis G. R., Coates A. J., Canu P., Dougherty M. K.
journal title:	Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
volume:	55
issue:	12
date of publication :	2013
article ID:	124035
ISSN:	0741-3335
eISSN:	1361-6587
DOI:	10.1088/0741-3335/55/12/124035
language:	English
journal language:	English
abstract in English:	Shock waves are widespread in collisionless space plasmas throughout the Universe. How particles are accelerated at these shocks has been the subject of much research attention. The dominant source of the high-energy particles that pervade our Galaxy (cosmic rays) is thought to be the high-Mach number collisionless shocks that form around young supernova remnants, but it is unclear how much the lower Mach number collisionless shock waves frequently encountered by spacecraft in Solar System space plasmas can tell us about particle acceleration in the higher Mach number regime. Here we review recent studies of the shock wave that stands in the solar wind in front of the planet Saturn (Saturn’s bow shock), based on Cassini spacecraft observations. This review represents a new direction of shock physics research, with the potential to bridge the gap between Solar System and astrophysical shocks. These studies have confirmed that Saturn’s bow shock is one of the strongest shocks in the Solar System, and a recent discovery indicates that electron acceleration at high-Mach numbers may occur irrespective of the upstream magnetic field geometry. This is important because astrophysical shocks can often only be studied remotely via emissions associated with accelerated electrons. We discuss possible future directions of this emerging sub-field of collisionless space plasma shock physics.
affiliation:	Wydział Fizyki, Astronomii i Informatyki Stosowanej : Instytut – Obserwatorium Astronomiczne
type:	journal article
subtype:	academic paper

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