Plasma Physics Initiative

The TAP Plasma Physics Initiative (PPI) uses theory and numerical simulation, combined with remote and in situ observations of space and astrophysical plasmas, to constrain fundamental questions about how energy, mass, and momentum are injected into, transported through, and removed from a wide variety of plasma systems throughout the Universe.

Images

Solar Energetic Particle Acceleration at a Spherical Shock with the Shock Normal Angle ${\theta }_{{B}_{n}}$ Evolving in Space and Time

Quantifying uncertainties in general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic codes

TAP Plasma Physics Initiative Lecturer

COMING MARCH 2025 - Xianzhe Jia, University of Michigan

The Plasma Physics Initiatives will host Xianzhe Jia, March 3-6, 2025. See visitor schedule for meetings and visit details, or contact the host, Kris Klein.

Please join Dr. Jia’s TAP Lecture. Details below:

Title: Coming soon

Date: March 5, 2025, 3:00-4:30 pm, Kuiper Space Sciences Building, Room 312

Join the TAP mailing list to receive future talk updates and announcements.

Previous Lecturers

Jason TenBarge, Princeton University

The Plasma Physics Initiative hosted Jason TenBarge Sept. 25-29, 2023.

TAP Plasma Physics Lecture
Title: New Perspectives on Diagnosing Electron Energization in Magnetic Reconnection

Visit the TAP YouTube Channel to watch the recorded talk.

Join the TAP email list to receive advanced announcements for upcoming lectures and visits.

Publications

“Ion-driven Instabilities in the Inner Heliosphere. II. Classification and Multidimensional Mapping”

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023ApJ…952…14M/abstract

“Parker Solar Probe: Four Years of Discoveries at Solar Cycle Minimum”

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023SSRv..219….8R/abstract

“Estimation of Turbulent Proton and Electron Heating Rates via Landau Damping Constrained by Parker Solar Probe Observations”

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023ApJ…946…85S/abstract

Meetings

For TAP Plasma Physics Initiative monthly meetings, please subscribe to the mailing list.

Mailing List

Solar and Heliospheric Research Group

The Solar and Heliospheric Research Group seeks a greater understanding of the diverse plasma processes at work throughout our solar system and the universe. Research topics range from the physics of the solar interior and atmosphere to the solar wind, energetic particle transport, and acceleration processes. Email Profs. Joe Giacalone Kris Klein, or Shuo Kong to join the mailing list for group meetings.

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