Dr. Ivan Vasko received $524,875 from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for his research on Statistical Analysis of Electrostatic Fluctuations in the Earth’s Magnetosheath. This project centers on electrostatic wave activity in the Earth’s magnetosheath, a turbulent plasma region just outside the magnetic field, using high-resolution measurements from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft. These limited plasma fluctuations play a key role in how particles are heated and energy is transferred in space, yet they remain poorly understood in current simulations.

Dr. Vasko’s research aims to establish the amplitude, speed, wavelength, and cause of these fluctuations, and how they vary with changing turbulence strength and plasma conditions. This research will apply interferometry analysis techniques using MMS’s Double Probe Electric Field instrument to reveal properties that were unresolved before.

Long-term outcomes include improved understanding of plasma turbulence, stronger space weather prediction tools, and broader impacts across heliophysics and astrophysical plasma research. Dr. Vasko’s research will also be a major contribution to the field of Physics.