This proposed research addresses a highly compelling and timely science topic: identifying the cross-scale plasma heating mechanisms using a relatively new concept of the characteristic heating…

This is a $27,000 grant awarded by NASA's Shared Services Center to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a private non-profit educational institution, for a research project addressing plasma heating mechanisms at the Earth's magnetopause. The research will utilize data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission to study the characteristic heating frequency distributions associated with different plasma physics processes like the Kelvin-Helmholtz and drift-mirror instabilities. The goal is to uncover the properties and efficiency of plasma heating in this region. This award is not associated with a set-aside program and is being made directly to Embry-Riddle as the prime contractor based on their expertise in areas like aerospace engineering, space science, and advanced technology development.

This proposed research addresses a highly compelling and timely science topic: identifying the cross-scale plasma heating mechanisms using a relatively new concept of the characteristic heating frequency (CHF). The computation of the distribution and statistical properties of the CHF for different physical mechanisms, such as kelvin-helmholtz instability (KHI) and drift-mirror instability (DMI), will help uncover the properties, e.g., time-scale and efficiency of plasma heating processes at the earth's magnetopause. The four-spacecraft measurements from the magnetospheric multiscale (MMS) mission will be used to address the following scientific questions: 1. What are the CHF distributions during each physical process (kelvin-helmholtz instability, drift mirror instability, etc.)? How are they different during different mechanisms? 2. How behaves the CHF distribution during the crossing of the ION-scale current sheets during a KHI event? 3. Another fitting method for the kappa distribution will be involved. What is the difference compared to the original distribution fitting method?