kinetic Alfvén wave tagged posts

Basic Plasma Wave physics reshaped by NASA observations

In a typical Alfvén wave, the particles (yellow) move freely along the magnetic field lines (blue). Credits: NASA Goddard's Scientific Visualization Studio/Tom Bridgman, data visualizer

In a typical Alfvén wave, the particles (yellow) move freely along the magnetic field lines (blue).
Credits: NASA Goddard’s Scientific Visualization Studio/Tom Bridgman, data visualizer

NASA scientists are reshaping the basic understanding of the kinetic Alfvén wave in space. When NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale – or MMS – mission was launched, the scientists knew it would answer questions fundamental to the nature of our universe – and MMS hasn’t disappointed. A new finding provides observational proof of a 50-year-old theory and reshapes the basic understanding of the kinetic Alfvén wave...

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