Microphysics and structure of quasi-parallel shocks: Observations, theory, and implications for particle acceleration

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Abstract
Considerable insight into the physics of collisionless quasi‐parallel shocks has recently been gained by hybrid simulations. After briefly reviewing pertinent observations at the quasi‐parallel bow shock and the theories developed for quasi‐parallel shocks we report on recent hybrid simulations concerning the cyclic behavior of shocks, the specular reflection of part of the incident plasma as a relatively cold beam, and the acceleration of part of the incoming plasma to superthermal energies. The latter point is of particular importance in cosmic ray physics, since these particles constitute a seed particle population for a first order Fermi acceleration process.

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