Heliophysics Science Division
Robert MacDowall - Abstract

Plasma Waves, Interplanetary Shocks, and Particle Acceleration: Some Surprises

Robert MacDowall
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD

Plasma wave observations can provide valuable information about interplanetary (IP) shocks and other discontinuities in the interplanetary medium, although the details about wave-particle interactions are often compromised by incomplete data. Here, we report on recent results from Ulysses and other spacecraft, relating plasma wave observations to IP shocks and electron acceleration. Controversy remains concerning the source(s) of electron acceleration at IP shocks and the significance of in-situ observations for IP shocks. We also examine plasma waves near shock-like structures whose slow transition from "upstream" to "downstream" raises questions about the process responsible for the transition scale length.