Abstract Details
| Name: Wageesh Mishra Affiliation: Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru Conference ID: ASI2025_513 Title : Insights from Rarely Observed Slow Shocks in Solar Wind Authors and Co-Authors : Wageesh Mishra and Anjali Agarwal Abstract Type : Poster Abstract Category : Sun, Solar System, Exoplanets, and Astrobiology Abstract : Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves and their steepening into shock waves are observed in various astrophysical systems, including solar and interplanetary space plasma. While extensive studies have explored the origins and evolution of fast-forward and fast-reverse shocks at 1 AU and within the heliosphere, there remains limited research on the identification and drivers of slow shocks. Fast shocks are generally associated with large-scale solar wind structures propagating at sufficiently high speeds within the ambient medium. In contrast, slow shocks are considered rare at distances far from the Sun, with their survival and dynamics remaining largely unexplored. We aim to address this gap by systematically identifying and characterizing slow shocks in solar wind observations at 1 AU over a period exceeding two decades. To achieve this, we developed and implemented an automated detection algorithm that utilizes simultaneous measurements of magnetic field strength, plasma density, temperature, and speed in the solar wind. Our analysis assesses the fundamental properties of detected shocks and compares the characteristics of slow and fast shocks. Our analysis provides valuable insights into the physical processes governing the formation and evolution of slow shocks in space plasma, enhancing our understanding of shock dynamics in the heliospheric environment. |