Thomas Do, an astronomy graduate student at Michigan State University, has developed a predictive model for charged particle acceleration that extends beyond previous frameworks. His research, which began during an undergraduate project at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, focuses on the behavior of particles during solar storms, particularly coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
Do's model builds on earlier work by Federico Fraschetti, an astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics, and predicts particle behavior across a broader range of energy levels. This advancement allows for the inclusion of low-energy particles, which were previously overlooked in models developed over the last 50 years.
On September 5, 2022, the Parker Solar Probe captured critical data during a significant solar event, coinciding with the sun's solar maximum phase. The probe recorded particle speed and temperature as the shock wave from a CME impacted its instruments, providing a real-world test for Do's model.
The results indicated a strong correlation between the model's predictions and the actual data collected by the probe, validating the team's approach to understanding particle acceleration and escape dynamics. Fraschetti noted that this model can inform various fields within space research involving charged particles, enhancing our comprehension of solar phenomena and their effects on technology.