Computational Mathematics and Scientific Computing Seminar

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Space weather encompasses the dynamic conditions in Earth's space environment, strongly influenced by the Sun's activity and its interactions with planetary magnetic fields and the atmosphere. Solar flares, coronal mass ejections, geomagnetic storms, and solar energetic particles are all key components of space weather. Understanding and forecasting space weather is paramount for safeguarding spacecraft and satellites, preserving the integrity of radio communications and GPS systems, ensuring astronaut safety, and preventing disruptions to Earth's power grids. In this presentation, I will highlight novel insights derived from solving the relevant partial differential equations using a particle-in-cell method. This method couples a particle-based algorithm for the Vlasov equation describing the time evolution of the distribution function of the plasma species with a grid-based method for computing the Maxwell equations to obtain self-consistent electromagnetic fields. Leveraging a powerful combination of first-principles kinetic simulations and innovative statistical analyses, I will underscore the role of magnetic reconnection and turbulence processes in triggering coronal mass ejections, solar flares, geomagnetic storms, and the generation of energetic particles. I will show how the timescales, distribution of particles, as well as other critical observables, are linked to plasma conditions. Building from here, I will delineate the next steps necessary to embark on a new era of truly predictive space weather modeling and forecasting. Furthermore, I will discuss how understanding space weather around Earth will enhance our comprehension of conditions on other planets, including those in other stellar systems.