Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Multi-Scale Plasma Turbulence in the Diffuse Interstellar Medium

  • Published:
Space Science Reviews Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

I discuss how radioastronomical observations can provide information on the turbulence that governs the propagation of cosmic rays in the Galaxy. Interstellar radio wave propagation effects, collectively referred to as interstellar scintillations, yield information on the spatial power spectra of fluctuations in plasma density and magnetic field. Results of relevance to cosmic-ray physics are the existence of interstellar turbulence over a wide range of spatial scales (which can thus interact with a wide range of cosmic ray energies), the detection of magnetic field fluctuations in association with this turbulence, and a change in the nature of the turbulence on spatial scales of about 3.5 parsecs. A number of mysteries remain, such as the apparent suppression of Fast Magnetosonic wave generation by the interstellar turbulence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Armstrong, J. W., Rickett, B. J., and Spangler, S. R.: 1995, ‘Electron Density Power Spectrum in the Local Interstellar Medium’, Astrophys. J. 443, 209-221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandran, B. G.: 2000, ‘Confinement and Isotropization of Galactic Cosmic Rays by Molecular Cloud Magnetic Mirrors When Turbulent Scattering is Weak’, Astrophys. J. 529, 513-535.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jokipii, J. R.: 1977, ‘Fermi Acceleration and the Structure of Interstellar Turbulence’, Proc. 15th Int. Cosmic Ray Conf., 000, 429-433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jokipii, J. R.: 1988, in J. M. Cordes, B. J. Rickett, and D. C. Backer (eds.), ‘Cosmic Rays and the Physics of Interstellar Turbulence’, Radio Wave Scattering in the Interstellar Medium, AIP Conf. Proc. 174, 48-59.

  • Minter, A. H. and Spangler, S. R.: 1996, ‘Observations of Turbulent Fluctuations in the Interstellar Plasma Density and Magnetic Field on Spatial Scales of 0.01 to 100 Parsecs’, Astrophys. J. 458, 194-214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minter, A. H.: 1999, ‘Why Would We See 2-D Turbulence in Interstellar Gases?’, Bull. Am. Astron. Soc. 195, 5104-5104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, D. R.: 1983, Introduction to Plasma Theory, Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, R. J.: 1985, ‘The Forbidden Line of SII Lambda 6716 in the Galactic Emission Line Background’, Astrophys. J. 294, 256-262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spangler, S. R. and Cordes, J. M.: 1998, ‘VLBI Measurements of Plasma Turbulence Associated with the Cygnus OB1 Association’, Astrophys. J. 505, 766-783.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, U.S.A

    S.R. Spangler

Authors
  1. S.R. Spangler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Spangler, S. Multi-Scale Plasma Turbulence in the Diffuse Interstellar Medium. Space Science Reviews 99, 261–270 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013857418090

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013857418090

Keywords

Search

Navigation