LASP Magnetosphere Seminars

Abstract

Turbulence is a crucial mechanism that regulates energy dissipation and particle energization in near-Earth space. The multi-scale dynamics of collisionless plasma turbulence along with the importance of kinetic physics at proton and electron scales, made it challenging to obtain adequate in situ observations to understand turbulent dynamics. The MMS mission provides multi-point high-resolution field and plasma measurements around Earth, capable of resolving kinetic-scale physics. These observations allowed us for the first time to directly observe and study the pathways of turbulent dissipation in space.

  In February and March 2023, a dedicated campaign was carried out by the MMS mission with the goal of collecting an unbiased set of burst-resolution samples throughout the entire magnetosheath. This unique dataset allows us to conduct a comprehensive survey of collisionless plasma turbulence, as well as the associated dissipation, particle heating, and energization under a wide range of parameters and upstream conditions. We examine the properties of turbulence throughout the magnetosheath, as well as its evolution as the solar wind plasma encounters the bow shock and is convected downstream. These observations contribute to our understanding of how turbulence downstream of the bow shock responds to changes in the upstream solar wind conditions and shock configuration.

  During this talk, we will be presenting the first results from this campaign, along with a discussion of plans for similar campaigns that are upcoming.