Dr. Lingling Zhao, an assistant professor in the Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR) at 草榴社区 (UAH).
Michael Mercier | UAH
Dr. Lingling Zhao, an assistant professor in the Department of Space Science and a member of the Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR) at 草榴社区 (UAH), has been awarded a $681,356 award. The project will run through June 2030 and aims to advance the theoretical and observational understanding of how low-frequency magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence interacts with shocks in the heliosphere 鈥� a vast, bubble-like region of space carved out by the solar wind from the sun.
A thorough understanding of the interaction between linear waves and shocks is critical not only for heliophysics and astrophysics, but also for applications such as inertial confinement fusion (ICF), a field of nuclear fusion research that seeks to develop a clean and virtually limitless energy source.
The NSF CAREER Program is aimed at supporting junior faculty in their development as teacher-scholars. It recognizes researchers who effectively integrate research and education within the context of their organization's mission. The researcher鈥檚 first paper related to this project .
Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence interacts with shocks in the heliosphere 鈥� a vast, bubble-like region of space carved out by the solar wind from the sun.
Courtesy NASA
鈥淒r Zhao鈥檚 CAREER Award is fitting recognition of her outstanding abilities and the work in this and related topics that she has completed,鈥� says Dr. Gary Zank, the director of the UAH Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR) and the Aerospace Rocketdyne endowed chair of the Department of Space Science. 鈥淭here is no doubt that Lingling is rapidly becoming one of the outstanding space physicists in the U.S. today and is quite unique in her ability to combine cutting edge theory and observations. Her recent paper published in one of the most prestigious journals, PNAS, illustrates this beautifully in its presentation of both the theory and observations of shock-turbulence interactions.鈥�
Shocks are abrupt transitions in the solar wind which can influence space weather and particle acceleration. They are created in space plasmas when a supersonic flow interacts with an obstacle, such as a coronal mass ejection or a planet. Shocks are ubiquitous in space and laboratory plasmas, forming in supernova explosions, stellar and solar wind terminations, interplanetary transients and fusion experiments.
Structured shocks and turbulent fluctuations are crucial components of the heliosphere. Turbulent fluctuations are chaotic motions and field variations within the solar wind responsible for heating the plasma and transporting energy.
鈥淚 was drawn to this topic because it lies at the intersection of theory and observation 鈥� two aspects of space plasma physics I find deeply complementary,鈥� Zhao explains. 鈥淲hile analyzing spacecraft data, I became fascinated by how structured shocks and turbulent fluctuations coexist and influence each other in the heliosphere. I realized that linear MHD wave theory offers a tractable way to model turbulence and provides clear, testable predictions. The opportunity to validate those predictions using real shock-crossing events from spacecraft data was especially motivating.鈥�
Linear MHD wave theory simplifies the complex physics of plasmas 鈥� ionized gases 鈥� by focusing on how small disturbances propagate as waves. This approach allows the behavior of waves to be analyzed in a more controlled and interpretable way. Zhao is particularly interested in how the different types of waves propagate through the plasma ahead of celestial objects or phenomena, such as planetary bow shocks or interplanetary shocks.
鈥淪pecifically, we鈥檙e investigating how upstream MHD wave modes are transmitted or reflected at the shock,鈥� Zhao explains. 鈥淭his interaction affects the shock structure and evolution of turbulence in the solar wind, which in turn influences key processes such as solar wind heating and energetic particle acceleration. This project bridges a critical gap in heliospheric plasma physics by linking wave-shock interaction theory with direct spacecraft observations, which can ultimately improve our ability to model solar wind dynamics.鈥�
This research advances fundamental plasma physics and practical applications by deepening our understanding of solar wind dynamics and contributing to more accurate modeling of space weather conditions relevant to future space missions. Additionally, the project offers valuable opportunities for student engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration.
鈥淚t has been very satisfying to witness Dr. Zhao鈥檚 progression from postdoc to an outstanding faculty member in the Department of Space Science and the Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research,鈥� Zank says. 鈥淗er hiring as a faculty member was accomplished under the umbrella of an NSF EPSCoR Track-1 grant on which I was the Principal Investigator, a $20 million, five-year award to UAH.鈥�