Modern investigations of dynamical space plasma systems such as magnetically complicated topologies within the Earth's magnetosphere make great use of supercomputer models as well as spacecraft observations. Space plasma simulations can be used to investigate energy transfer, acceleration, and plasma flows on both global and local scales. Simulation of global magnetospheric dynamics requires spatial and temporal scales currently achievable through magneto-hydrodynamics or hybrid-kinetic simulations, which approximate electron dynamics as a charge-neutralizing fluid. We introduce a novel method for Vlasov-simulating electrons in the context of a hybrid-kinetic framework in order to examine the energization processes of magnetospheric electrons. Our extension of the Vlasiator hybrid-Vlasov code utilizes the global simulation dynamics of the hybrid method whilst modelling snapshots of electron dynamics on global spatial scales and temporal scales suitable for electron physics. Our eVlasiator model is shown to be stable both for single-cell and small-scale domains, and the solver successfully models Langmuir waves and Bernstein modes. We simulate a small test-case section of the near-Earth magnetotail plasma sheet region, reproducing a number of electron distribution function features found in spacecraft measurements.

The foreshock is a region of intense wave activity, situated upstream of the quasi-parallel sector of the terrestrial bow shock. The most common type of waves in the Earth's ion foreshock are quasi-monochromatic fast magnetosonic waves with a period of about 30 s. In this study, we investigate how the foreshock wave field is modified when magnetic clouds, a subset of coronal mass ejections driving the most intense geomagnetic storms, interact with near-Earth space. Using observations from the Cluster constellation, we find that the average period of the fast magnetosonic waves is significantly shorter than the typical 30 s during magnetic clouds, due to the high magnetic field strength inside those structures, consistent with previous works. We also show that the quasi-monochromatic waves are replaced by a superposition of waves at different frequencies. Numerical simulations performed with the hybrid-Vlasov model Vlasiator consistently show that an enhanced upstream magnetic field results in less monochromatic wave activity in the foreshock. The global view of the foreshock wave field provided by the simulation further reveals that the waves are significantly smaller during magnetic clouds, both in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the wave vector. We estimate the transverse extent of the waves using a multi-spacecraft analysis technique and find a good agreement between the numerical simulations and the spacecraft measurements. This suggests that the foreshock wave field is structured over smaller scales during magnetic clouds. These modifications of the foreshock wave properties are likely to affect the regions downstream - the bow shock, the magnetosheath and possibly the magnetosphere - as foreshock waves are advected earthward by the solar wind.

We present observations of ~10–60 min solar wind dynamic pressure structures that drive large‐scale coherent ~20–100 keV electron loss from the outer radiation belt. A combination of simultaneous satellite and Balloon Array for Radiation‐belt Relativistic Electron Losses (BARREL) observations on 11–12 January 2014 shows a close association between the pressure structures and precipitation as inferred from BARREL X‐rays. Specifically, the structures drive radial ExB transport of electrons up to 1 Earth radii, modulating the free electron energy available for low‐frequency plasmaspheric hiss growth, and subsequent hiss‐induced loss cone scattering. The dynamic pressure structures, originating near the Sun and commonly observed advecting with the solar wind, are thus able to switch on scattering loss of electrons by hiss over a large spatial scale. Our results provide a direct link between solar wind pressure fluctuations and modulation of electron loss from the outer radiation belt and may explain long‐period modulations and large‐scale coherence of X‐rays commonly observed in the BARREL data set.

Ultralow frequency (ULF) waves are ubiquitous in the magnetosphere and can have a large direct and indirect impact on the radiation belts. Although their relative contribution to radiation belt dynamics are still enthusiastically debated today within the scientific community, the fact that they impact radiation belt dynamics cannot be denied. In this chapter, we will not try to convince the reader of their relative importance, but instead we will lay out the different ways in which ULF waves impact the evolution of the particle populations in the inner magnetosphere. First, we will discuss the mechanisms through which ULF waves can directly cause acceleration and loss of particles. Then we will discuss their indirect effects through modulation of other loss and acceleration mechanisms. Along with outlining the theory we will also show both model and observational evidence for the importance of ULF waves and their impact on radiation belt dynamics.

We study the interaction of solar wind protons with Earth's quasi-parallel bow shock using a hybrid-Vlasov simulation. We employ the global hybrid model Vlasiator to include effects due to bow shock curvature, tenuous upstream populations, and foreshock waves. We investigate the uncertainty of the position of the quasi-parallel bow shock as a function of several plasma properties and find that regions of non-locality or uncertainty of the shock position form and propagate away from the shock nose. Our results support the notion of upstream structures causing the patchwork reconstruction of the quasi-parallel shock front in a non-uniform manner. We propose a novel method for spacecraft data to be used to analyse this quasi-parallel reformation. We combine our hybrid-Vlasov results with test-particle studies and show that proton energization, which is required for injection, takes place throughout a larger shock transition zone. The energization of particles is found regardless of the instantaneous non-locality of the shock front, in agreement with it taking place over a larger region. Distortion of magnetic fields in front of and at the shock is shown to have a significant effect on proton injection. We additionally show that the density of suprathermal reflected particles upstream of the shock may not be a useful metric for the probability of injection at the shock, as foreshock dynamics and particle trapping appear to have a significant effect on energetic-particle accumulation at a given position in space. Our results have implications for statistical and spacecraft studies of the shock injection problem.

Abstract. The foreshock is a region of space upstream of the Earth's bow shock extending along the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). It is permeated by shock-reflected ions and electrons, low-frequency waves, and various plasma transients. We investigate the extent of the He2+ foreshock using Vlasiator, a global hybrid-Vlasov simulation. We perform the first numerical global survey of the helium foreshock and interpret some historical foreshock observations in a global context. The foreshock edge is populated by both proton and helium field-aligned beams, with the proton foreshock extending slightly further into the solar wind than the helium foreshock and both extending well beyond the ultra-low frequency (ULF) wave foreshock. We compare our simulation results with Magnetosphere Multiscale (MMS) Hot Plasma Composition Analyzer (HPCA) measurements, showing how the gradient of suprathermal ion densities at the foreshock crossing can vary between events. Our analysis suggests that the IMF cone angle and the associated shock obliquity gradient can play a role in explaining this differing behaviour. We also investigate wave–ion interactions with wavelet analysis and show that the dynamics and heating of He2+ must result from proton-driven ULF waves. Enhancements in ion agyrotropy are found in relation to, for example, the ion foreshock boundary, the ULF foreshock boundary, and specular reflection of ions at the bow shock. We show that specular reflection can describe many of the foreshock ion velocity distribution function (VDF) enhancements. Wave–wave interactions deep in the foreshock cause de-coherence of wavefronts, allowing He2+ to be scattered less than protons.

The foreshock, extending upstream of Earth's bow shock, is a region of intense electromagnetic wave activity and nonlinear phenomena, which can have global effects on geospace. It is also the first geophysical region encountered by solar wind disturbances journeying toward Earth. Here, we present the first observations of considerable modifications of the foreshock wave field during extreme events of solar origin called magnetic clouds. Cluster's multispacecraft data reveal that the typical quasi-monochromatic foreshock waves can be completely replaced by a superposition of waves each with shorter correlation lengths. Global numerical simulations further confirm that the foreshock wave field is more intricate and organized at smaller scales. Ion measurements suggest that changes in shock-reflected particle properties may cause these modifications of the wave field. This state of the foreshock is encountered only during extreme events at Earth, but intense magnetic fields are typical close to the Sun or other stars.

Particle precipitation plays a key role in the coupling of the terrestrial magnetosphere and ionosphere by modifying the upper atmospheric conductivity and chemistry, driving field-aligned currents, and producing aurora. Yet quantitative observations of precipitating fluxes are limited, since ground-based instruments can only provide indirect measurements of precipitation, while particle telescopes aboard spacecraft merely enable point-like in situ observations with an inherently coarse time resolution above a given location. Further, orbit timescales generally prevent the analysis of whole events. On the other hand, global magnetospheric simulations can provide estimations of particle precipitation with a global view and higher time resolution. We present the first results of auroral (∼1–30 keV) proton precipitation estimation using the Vlasiator global hybrid-Vlasov model in a noon–midnight meridional plane simulation driven by steady solar wind with a southward interplanetary magnetic field. We first calculate the bounce loss-cone angle value at selected locations in the simulated nightside magnetosphere. Then, using the velocity distribution function representation of the proton population at those selected points, we study the population inside the loss cone. This enables the estimation of differential precipitating number fluxes as would be measured by a particle detector aboard a low-Earth-orbiting (LEO) spacecraft. The obtained differential flux values are in agreement with a well-established empirical model in the midnight sector, as are the integral energy flux and mean precipitating energy. We discuss the time evolution of the precipitation parameters derived in this manner in the global context of nightside magnetospheric activity in this simulation, and we find in particular that precipitation bursts of <1 min duration can be self-consistently and unambiguously associated with dipolarising flux bundles generated by tail reconnection. We also find that the transition region seems to partly regulate the transmission of precipitating protons to the inner magnetosphere, suggesting that it has an active role in regulating ionospheric precipitation.

Today, the near-Earth space is facing a paradigm change as the number of new spacecraft is literally sky-rocketing. Increasing numbers of small satellites threaten the sustainable use of space, as without removal, space debris will eventually make certain critical orbits unusable. A central factor affecting small spacecraft health and leading to debris is the radiation environment, which is unpredictable due to an incomplete understanding of the near-Earth radiation environment itself and its variability driven by the solar wind and outer magnetosphere. This paper presents the FORESAIL-1 nanosatellite mission, having two scientific and one technological objectives. The first scientific objective is to measure the energy and flux of energetic particle loss to the atmosphere with a representative energy and pitch angle resolution over a wide range of magnetic local times. To pave the way to novel model - in situ data comparisons, we also show preliminary results on precipitating electron fluxes obtained with the new global hybrid-Vlasov simulation Vlasiator. The second scientific objective of the FORESAIL-1 mission is to measure energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) of solar origin. The solar ENA flux has the potential to contribute importantly to the knowledge of solar eruption energy budget estimations. The technological objective is to demonstrate a satellite de-orbiting technology, and for the first time, make an orbit manoeuvre with a propellantless nanosatellite. FORESAIL-1 will demonstrate the potential for nanosatellites to make important scientific contributions as well as promote the sustainable utilisation of space by using a cost-efficient de-orbiting technology.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo retomar o debate acerca da atividade docente enquanto processo de trabalho, entendido como processo de transformação não somente da natureza, mas também do próprio ser humano, atividade que, e em conjunto com a linguagem e a cooperação, fornece novos sentidos às relações entre consciência e realidade. No entanto, para uma análise mais rigorosa do termo, faz-se necessário compreender suas formas especificamente capitalistas. Com esse desígnio, caminha-se para a análise dos sentidos modernos de trabalho em Karl Marx, destacando os processos de alienação e de estranhamento, assim como de trabalho abstrato e de trabalho produtivo, com intuito de confirmar a hipótese segundo a qual o trabalho docente se constituiu em um típico trabalho assalariado no modo de produção capitalista. Em seguida, o texto procura demonstrar o que foi o processo de flexibilização e de precarização imposto ao mundo do trabalho e seus impactos negativos na atividade docente, a partir da reestruturação produtiva ocorrida após a década de 1970. Por fim, busca-se uma resposta, ainda que provisória e incerta, para a atividade docente, tendo por base as práticas dos antigos artífices e mestres de ofício.

This paper reviews Vlasov-based numerical methods used to model plasma in space physics and astrophysics. Plasma consists of collectively behaving charged particles that form the major part of baryonic matter in the Universe. Many concepts ranging from our own planetary environment to the Solar system and beyond can be understood in terms of kinetic plasma physics, represented by the Vlasov equation. We introduce the physical basis for the Vlasov system, and then outline the associated numerical methods that are typically used. A particular application of the Vlasov system is Vlasiator, the world's first global hybrid-Vlasov simulation for the Earth's magnetic domain, the magnetosphere. We introduce the design strategies for Vlasiator and outline its numerical concepts ranging from solvers to coupling schemes. We review Vlasiator's parallelisation methods and introduce the used high-performance computing (HPC) techniques. A short review of verification, validation and physical results is included. The purpose of the paper is to present the Vlasov system and introduce an example implementation, and to illustrate that even with massive computational challenges, an accurate description of physics can be rewarding in itself and significantly advance our understanding. Upcoming supercomputing resources are making similar efforts feasible in other fields as well, making our design options relevant for others facing similar challenges.

In this paper, we discuss the general applicability of the Backwards Liouville Test–Kinetic (BLTK) method to the modeling of time-dependent particle distributions in magnetospheric plasmas. We discuss a new particle tracing model, SHIELDS-PTM, and describe certain novel features of its implementation. Finally, we apply SHIELDS-PTM to highlight a powerful but oft-overlooked feature of the BLTK approach: the invariant trajectories are independent of the quantity being transported, so it is straightforward to optimize source models with undetermined parameters. We demonstrate this by using SHIELDS-PTM to determine the local-time distribution of particle fluxes around geosynchronous orbit using simple models for the electromagnetic fields and statistical models of geosynchronous electron fluxes. We find that optimized source distributions generally provide a far superior result than statistical models of the source region, improving the accuracy of modeled fluxes at some energies by more than an order of magnitude.

The origin of the flapping motions of the current sheet in the Earth's magnetotail is one of the most interesting questions of magnetospheric dynamics yet to be solved. We have used a polar plane simulation from the global hybrid-Vlasov model Vlasiator to study the characteristics and source of current sheet flapping in the center of the magnetotail. The characteristics of the simulated signatures agree with observations reported in the literature. The flapping is initiated by a hemispherically asymmetric magnetopause perturbation, created by subsolar magnetopause reconnection, that is capable of displacing the tail current sheet from its nominal position. The current sheet displacement propagates downtail at the same pace as the driving magnetopause perturbation. The initial current sheet displacement launches a standing magnetosonic wave within the tail resonance cavity. The travel time of the wave within the local cavity determines the period of the subsequent flapping signatures. Compression of the tail lobes due to added flux affects the cross-sectional width of the resonance cavity as well as the magnetosonic speed within the cavity. These in turn modify the wave travel time and flapping period. The compression of the resonance cavity may also provide additional energy to the standing wave, which may lead to strengthening of the flapping signature. It may be possible that the suggested mechanism could act as a source of kink-like waves that have been observed to be emitted from the center of the tail and to propagate toward the dawn and dusk flanks.