Plasma Turbulence in the Near-Sun and Near-Earth Solar Wind: A Comparison via Observation-Driven 2D Hybrid Simulations
We analyse two high-resolution 2D hybrid simulations of plasma turbulence with observation-driven initial conditions that are representative of the near-Sun and the near-Earth solar wind. The former employs values of some fundamental parameters that have been measured by the Parker Solar Probe at 0....
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MDPI AG
2022-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/8/9/453 |
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| author | Luca Franci Emanuele Papini Daniele Del Sarto Petr Hellinger David Burgess Lorenzo Matteini Simone Landi Victor Montagud-Camps |
| author_facet | Luca Franci Emanuele Papini Daniele Del Sarto Petr Hellinger David Burgess Lorenzo Matteini Simone Landi Victor Montagud-Camps |
| author_sort | Luca Franci |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We analyse two high-resolution 2D hybrid simulations of plasma turbulence with observation-driven initial conditions that are representative of the near-Sun and the near-Earth solar wind. The former employs values of some fundamental parameters that have been measured by the Parker Solar Probe at 0.17 au from the Sun, while, in the latter, they are set to average values typically observed at 1 au. We compare the spatial and spectral properties of the magnetic, ion velocity, and density fluctuations, as well as the time evolution of magnetic reconnection events that occur spontaneously as the result of the development of turbulence. Despite some differences due to the different plasma conditions, some key features are observed in both simulations: elongated ion-scale Alfvénic structures form in between vortices whenever the orientation of the magnetic field lines is the same, i.e., magnetic reconnection via the formation of an X point cannot occur; the magnetic and density fluctuations at sub-ion scales are governed by force balance; the magnetic compressibility at sub-ion scales is compatible with isotropic magnetic field components; the characteristic time of the formation of current sheets is the eddy turnover at the energy injection scale, while the characteristic time for their disruption via reconnection is compatible with the Alfvén time of the background turbulence. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:18:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-726dd5c22e17472fb623011a1c06539b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2218-1997 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:18:14Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Universe |
| spelling | doaj.art-726dd5c22e17472fb623011a1c06539b2023-11-23T19:18:46ZengMDPI AGUniverse2218-19972022-08-018945310.3390/universe8090453Plasma Turbulence in the Near-Sun and Near-Earth Solar Wind: A Comparison via Observation-Driven 2D Hybrid SimulationsLuca Franci0Emanuele Papini1Daniele Del Sarto2Petr Hellinger3David Burgess4Lorenzo Matteini5Simone Landi6Victor Montagud-Camps7School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UKNational Institute for Astrophysics (INAF)—Institute for Space Astrophysics and Planetology (IAPS), 00133 Rome, ItalyInstitut Jean Lamour, CNRS UMR 7198, University of Lorraine, BP 50840, CEDEX, 54011 Nancy, FranceAstronomical Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, 141 00 Prague, Czech RepublicSchool of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UKDepartment of Physics, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UKDipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Largo Enrico Fermi 2, 50125 Firenze, ItalyAstronomical Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, 141 00 Prague, Czech RepublicWe analyse two high-resolution 2D hybrid simulations of plasma turbulence with observation-driven initial conditions that are representative of the near-Sun and the near-Earth solar wind. The former employs values of some fundamental parameters that have been measured by the Parker Solar Probe at 0.17 au from the Sun, while, in the latter, they are set to average values typically observed at 1 au. We compare the spatial and spectral properties of the magnetic, ion velocity, and density fluctuations, as well as the time evolution of magnetic reconnection events that occur spontaneously as the result of the development of turbulence. Despite some differences due to the different plasma conditions, some key features are observed in both simulations: elongated ion-scale Alfvénic structures form in between vortices whenever the orientation of the magnetic field lines is the same, i.e., magnetic reconnection via the formation of an X point cannot occur; the magnetic and density fluctuations at sub-ion scales are governed by force balance; the magnetic compressibility at sub-ion scales is compatible with isotropic magnetic field components; the characteristic time of the formation of current sheets is the eddy turnover at the energy injection scale, while the characteristic time for their disruption via reconnection is compatible with the Alfvén time of the background turbulence.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/8/9/453space plasmasplasma astrophysicssolar windinterplanetary turbulence |
| spellingShingle | Luca Franci Emanuele Papini Daniele Del Sarto Petr Hellinger David Burgess Lorenzo Matteini Simone Landi Victor Montagud-Camps Plasma Turbulence in the Near-Sun and Near-Earth Solar Wind: A Comparison via Observation-Driven 2D Hybrid Simulations Universe space plasmas plasma astrophysics solar wind interplanetary turbulence |
| title | Plasma Turbulence in the Near-Sun and Near-Earth Solar Wind: A Comparison via Observation-Driven 2D Hybrid Simulations |
| title_full | Plasma Turbulence in the Near-Sun and Near-Earth Solar Wind: A Comparison via Observation-Driven 2D Hybrid Simulations |
| title_fullStr | Plasma Turbulence in the Near-Sun and Near-Earth Solar Wind: A Comparison via Observation-Driven 2D Hybrid Simulations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Plasma Turbulence in the Near-Sun and Near-Earth Solar Wind: A Comparison via Observation-Driven 2D Hybrid Simulations |
| title_short | Plasma Turbulence in the Near-Sun and Near-Earth Solar Wind: A Comparison via Observation-Driven 2D Hybrid Simulations |
| title_sort | plasma turbulence in the near sun and near earth solar wind a comparison via observation driven 2d hybrid simulations |
| topic | space plasmas plasma astrophysics solar wind interplanetary turbulence |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/8/9/453 |
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