This a novel and broadened theoretical framework of special relativity, which is unified for describing entropies and velocities, and consistent with both thermodynamics and kinematics. The new theory is not to be confused with some relativistic adaptation of thermodynamics; instead, it is a unification of the physical disciplines of…

We develop the kappa-tail fitting technique, which analyzes observations of power-law tails of distributions and energy flux spectra, and connects them to theoretical modeling of kappa distributions, to determine the thermodynamics of the examined space plasma. In particular, we (i) construct the associated mathematical formulation; (ii) prove…

The paper shows the thermodynamic nature of the evolution of the pickup ion (PUI) distributions through their incorporation and subsequent expansion as the solar wind moves outward through the heliosphere. In particular, the PUI expansive cooling is connected to thermodynamic polytropic processes and the thermodynamic kappa parameter…

David McComas, Princeton University’s vice president for the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), will conclude his PPPL leadership role to focus on the successful completion and launch of NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP). McComas is the principal investigator for the IMAP mission, which is scheduled to launch…

Juno performed two close flybys of Io and found enhanced field‐aligned proton fluxes are absorbed by Io. These protons are absorbed at mass input rates comparable to previous estimates for hydrogen losses from Io, hence Jupiter is likely the source of hydrogen at Io. The conditions necessary for this to occur are: (a) formation of Alfvén waves…

This paper reveals the universality of the particle energy distribution function, despite the arbitrariness that characterizes the generalized thermodynamic entropic function. We show that the canonical distribution, that is, the distribution function that maximizes this entropy under the constraints of canonical ensemble, is always the same…

Thousands gathered in Princeton’s Palmer Square on Monday, 4/8/24, for a community viewing of the partial solar eclipse.

Volunteers from the Space Physics Group and the Department of Astrophysical Sciences joined the Council on Science and Technology and the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton to answer questions and…

On March 15, 2024, at Princeton University, Lengying Khoo, Tejaswita Sharma, and Kimberly Rogan from the Space Physics Group shared information about the IMAP mission with over 800 middle school and high school students at the Young Women’s Conference in STEM.  The conference, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma…

Solar energetic particle (SEP) events have been observed by the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) spacecraft since its launch in 2018. These events include sources from solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The ISOIS instrument suite on board PSP is measuring ions over energies from ~20 keV nucleon-1 to 200…

Jupiter's plasma sheet has been understood to be primarily composed of Io‐genic sulfur and oxygen, along with protons at lower mass density. These ions move radially away from Jupiter, filling its magnetosphere. The material in the plasma sheet interacts with Europa, which is also a source of magnetospheric pickup ions, primarily hydrogen and…