Riding the plasma wave: Evidence for a type of plasma wave moving faster than theory predicted
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - 12:00
in Physics & Chemistry
Using data from the WAVES instrument on NASA's Wind mission, researchers have discovered evidence for a type of plasma wave moving faster than theory predicted it could move. The research suggests that a different process than expected, electrical instabilities in the plasma, may be driving the waves. This offers scientists another tool to understand how heat and energy can be transported through plasma.