Heliospheric and astrophysical shocks: Common features and differences

M. Gedalin, A. Spitkovsky

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Heliospheric shocks are being studied by in situ measurements while all shocks outside of the solar system are detected only due to the electromagnetic radiation produced by heated or accelerated charged particles. Heliospheric shocks have Mach numbers M ≲ 10 while astrophysical shocks may achieve M ~103. The incident plasma velocity in the heliosphere vu/c ~10-3, while supernova remnant shocks may have vu/c ~10-3 and gamma-ray bursts shocks are highly relativistic. Despite substantial differences in the key shock parameters, the basic common feature is the large scale electric field which develops within the shock. It is this electric field which decelerates ions and energizes electrons.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationWaves and Instabilities in Space and Astrophysical Plasmas
Pages172-181
Number of pages10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventWorkshop on Waves and Instabilities in Space and Astrophysical Plasmas - Eilat, Israel
Duration: Jun 19 2011Jun 24 2011

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1439
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Other

OtherWorkshop on Waves and Instabilities in Space and Astrophysical Plasmas
Country/TerritoryIsrael
CityEilat
Period6/19/116/24/11

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

Keywords

  • Collisionless shocks

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