FTPP Student Publishes First-Author Research on Solar Wind Turbulence

FTPP is proud to recognize Monika Karki on her recent first-author research publication in The Astrophysical Journal. Karki is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Space Science at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and conducts research through the Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR).

Published on October 9, 2026, her study, Radial Evolution of Turbulent Modes near the Sun Using Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter Measurements, examines how turbulence in the solar wind changes as it travels away from the Sun.

Working alongside Dr. Gary P. Zank, Dr. B. L. Alterman, and Dr. Laxman Adhikari, Karki analyzed observations from NASA’s Parker Solar Probe and the Solar Orbiter missions. The research explores how different types of turbulent fluctuations behave near the Sun and how their energy changes with distance.

Understanding Solar Wind Turbulence

The solar wind is a continuous flow of charged particles released by the Sun that travels throughout our solar system. As these particles move through space, they interact with magnetic fields and create turbulent conditions that influence how energy moves through the solar environment. Karki’s research focuses on understanding the different types of fluctuations within this turbulence, including changes in particle density, velocity, and magnetic fields.

Using spacecraft measurements collected at varying distances from the Sun, the research team applied a technique called linear mode decomposition to separate the observed fluctuations into eight fundamental types of plasma behavior.

Fluctuations in velocity were primarily associated with Alfvén waves, while magnetic field fluctuations were largely dominated by structures known as magnetic islands. The researchers also found that fast magnetosonic modes played a significant role in density fluctuations. These findings provide a clearer picture of how turbulent energy is distributed and evolves as the solar wind expands through space.

The Importance of Solar Wind Research

Understanding solar wind turbulence is an important part of studying space weather and the physical processes that occur throughout our solar system. As the solar wind travels outward from the Sun, turbulence influences how energy is transferred, how particles are heated, and how magnetic structures develop. Studying these processes helps scientists improve their understanding of the space environment surrounding Earth and other planets.

By combining measurements from two spacecraft, Karki’s research provides valuable insight into how different forms of turbulence behave closer to the Sun. Her findings also contribute to the development and evaluation of theoretical models used to explain solar wind behavior.