RUI: A Coupled Kinetic and Hydrodynamical Model of Shock-Accelerated Solar Energetic Ions

Roanoke College, Salem VA

Investigators

Abstract

A numerical model will be developed to simulate solar energetic particle (SEP) event charge distributions, energy spectra, and relative abundances as functions of space and time due to a propagating coronal mass ejection (CME) driven shock. This model couples the hydrodynamics of the moving shock to the ion kinetics, while at the same time accounting for non-equilibrium charge and energy change processes. The level of realism is such that self-consistent comparisons with SEP ion and plasma observations will be possible. In addition, a dedicated parallel computing laboratory will be established at Roanoke College. This laboratory will not only address the needs for numerical implementation of the proposed model, but it will also provide training for undergraduate science and non-science students in the developing information technology art of parallel scientific computing.