Numerical Simulation in Space Plasma Physics

The geospace environment displays a rich variety of interesting, beautiful, and important phenomena that can be understood through highly complex mathematical models involving complicated partial differential equations. Progress in space plasma science has become dependent upon our ability to formulate and solve these complex mathmetical models. It is usually the case that the experimentalists "discover" these phemonena through various observational means (e.g., satellite, radar, and sounding rocket), and it is the theorist/simulationist who "interprets" the observations within the context of models. The three-pronged approach involving observation, theory, and numerical simulation is fundamental to understanding in most scientific fields and space plasma physics is a prime example.

For a glimpse of the on-going numerical simulation projects in space plasma physics at Cornell, click on the names of the following graduate students: