I.H. Cairns: Recent and Current Research


Not Updated since 1997
Recent Research

Bow Shocks

Type III Solar Radio Bursts

Foreshock Waves and Radiation

The Outer Heliosphere

Scattering Theory

Other Topics


Current Research

Bow Shocks

Work is proceeding on (1) 3-D ideal MHD simulations of bow shock locations as a function of magnetic field orientation, Alfven mach number, and sonic mach number (Cairns, Lyon), (2) analytic theories for the standoff distance (Grabbe, Cairns), (3) comparisons of data with theory/Simulation results (Cairns, Lyon, Grabbe, MIT group, GSFC group).

Type III Solar Radio Bursts

Work is proceeding on nonlinear processes in type III bursts (Cairns and Robinson)

Foreshock Waves and Radiation

Work is proceeding on (1) nonlinear processes involving Langmuir waves and/or radiation, (2) applying stochastic growth theory to the foreshock waves (Cairns, Robinson), (3) Vlasov simulations of foreshock wave growth and nonlinear processes (Cairns, Klimas), (4) applying nonlinear wave theory to recent Ulysses and Wind observations.

Auroral Radio Emissions

Work is proceeding on radio emissions near 2f_p and intensified emissions near f_p at mid-altitudes near the auroral regions and over the polar cap in the DE-1 and POLAR data (Menietti and Cairns).

The Outer Heliosphere

Work is proceeding on the effects of cosmic rays and interstellar pick-up ions on turbulence and the structure of the outer heliosphere (Zank, Cairns, Pauls, C.W. Smith).

Scattering Theory

Work is proceeding on angular broadening of the Voyager 2-3 kHz radio emissions in the outer heliosphere.