Shock wave

Bow shock (aerodynamics)

Oblique shock

Shock waves in astrophysics

Bow wave

Galaxy

Upstream and downstream (DNA)

Shock (circulatory)

Cosmic ray

Nuclear physics

Astrophysics

Plasma

Upstream (networking)

Computer science

Classical mechanics

Jet (fluid)

Computer network

Solar wind

Physics

Active galactic nucleus

Particle acceleration

Internal medicine

Astrophysical jet

Medicine

Acceleration

Mechanics

Heliosphere

Nature Communications

Shocks are one of nature's most powerful particle accelerators and have been connected to relativistic electron acceleration and cosmic rays. Upstream shock observations include wave generation, wave-particle interactions and magnetic compressive structures, while at the shock and downstream, particle acceleration, magnetic reconnection and plasma jets can be observed. Here, using Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) we show in-situ evidence of high-speed downstream flows (jets) generated at the Earth's bow shock as a direct consequence of shock reformation. Jets are observed downstream due to a combined effect of upstream plasma wave evolution and an ongoing reformation cycle of the bow shock. This generation process can also be applicable to planetary and astrophysical plasmas where collisionless shocks are commonly found.

Downstream high-speed plasma jet generation as a direct consequence of shock reformation