#plasma physics

All articles tagged with "plasma physics"

An illustration of MAVEN in orbit around Mars

Mars was caught squeezing plasma in a way scientists thought impossible

NASA spacecraft data from a 2023 solar storm suggest Mars can experience the Zwan-Wolf effect, a plasma-squeezing phenomenon previously thought to require a full magnetosphere.

Key Takeaways

Researchers linked the effect to a powerful December 2023 solar storm.
The Zwan-Wolf effect was previously thought impossible on Mars.

DT Editorial Team·May 29, 2026·via livescience.com

Solar Orbiter Data Adds New Detail to How the Solar Wind Moves Energy

New analysis highlighted by Universe Today argues that plasma waves inside the solar wind play a larger role in redistributing energy across the Solar System than many models have assumed.

Key Takeaways

The supplied article highlights research using ESA’s Solar Orbiter.
It focuses on plasma waves including Langmuir and ion acoustic waves.

DT Editorial Team·Mar 29, 2026·via universetoday.com