Impact of foreshock transients on near-Earth space

Introduction

This project addresses major open questions in plasma physics: the dynamics of collisionless shocks, their impact on the downstream medium, and particle acceleration. Collisionless shocks are powerful particle accelerators, ubiquitous in astrophysical plasmas. Recent works suggest that the dynamics of the shock precursor, or foreshock, contributes greatly to shock acceleration.

Research Focus

Here we use near-Earth space as a natural laboratory to quantify the impact of transient kinetic structures forming in the foreshock. These foreshock transients are particularly intriguing because, in addition to contributing to acceleration at the shock itself, they impact geospace as a whole in driving swift, intense wave storms in Earth's magnetosphere.

Data and Findings

In this proposal, I present recent data revealing that these waves accelerate energetic electrons in Earth's radiation belts, connecting for the first time the dynamics of two major acceleration sites at Earth. This issue has never been explored because of considerable challenges:

1. Multi-point in situ observations
2. Global kinetic simulations

These are needed to unravel the complex processes at work.

Project Goals

The WAVESTORMS project makes full use of recent advances on both of these fronts to resolve the impact of foreshock transients on near-Earth space in a holistic manner. Using a flagship kinetic model of the global magnetosphere and high-fidelity space- and ground-based measurements, we will:

1. Fully characterise their interaction with the shock and their contribution to shock acceleration.
2. Quantify the radiation belt response (acceleration and losses).
3. Connect our findings to the solar wind context.
4. Quantify their global impact on near-Earth space.

Expertise

My expertise in foreshock physics and in combining multi-mission data and cutting-edge simulations puts me in a unique position to lead this project. Our results will constitute a breakthrough in our understanding of near-Earth space dynamics and particle acceleration in general.