U.S.-Czech Research: Analysis of Waves and Turbulence in Space Plasma

University Of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

INT 001011 Schriver This U.S.-Czech research project between David Schriver of the University of California, Los Angeles, and Petr Hellinger of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Prague, examines the physical characteristics of wave processes in space plasmas through use of numerical simulations and advanced data analysis. The Czech participants who have strengths in numerical plasma simulation methods also belong to the European Wave Experimental Consortium and bring a source of new experimental data to this effort from CLUSTER II (a four satellite project of the European Space Agency). The U.S. team contributes expertise in analytical theory and other numerical simulations, including particle-in-cell and Vlasov codes. The researchers expect to draw upon their comparisons of experimental and simulation data to explain observed phenomena in key regions including solar wind, bow shock, magnetotail and magnetopause, polar cusp and auroral zone. Results of their collaboration should contribute to our fundamental understanding of waves and wave-particle interactions in the Earth's magnetosphere. This atmospheric sciences project featuring magnetospheric physics fulfils the program objective of advancing scientific knowledge by enabling experts in the United States and Central Europe to combine complementary talents and share research resources in areas of strong mutual interest and competence.