Turbulence in space plasmas: Who needs it?

Abstract

The complex nonlinear dynamical phenomenon described as turbulence, is known to have a great impact on fluids, magnetohydrodynamic systems, and on plasmas. This paper reviews selected topics on turbulence in these systems, emphasizing the multiscale space-time properties of the turbulence cascade as it transfers energy from large scale reservoirs, through the inertial range, finally dissipating at kinetic scales and producing internal or thermal energy. Application to space and astrophysical plasmas is a pervasive theme. This paper is based on the Maxwell Prize address given at the 2019 American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics meeting in Fort Lauderdale.