A sneak peek into the wonderful world of Langmuir waves

Abstract: Langmuir waves are oscillations in the electron density of a plasma. They can interact resonantly with energetic particles such as solar energetic electrons and produce emission in the radio spectrum known as type III solar radio bursts through plasma emission mechanisms. As our eruptive Sun continuously ejects copious of plasma into the heliosphere, how do these waves behave and why is it important to monitor their behaviour? Both high-performance simulations and Solar Orbiter in-situ observations of these waves along with the solar energetic particles they interact with and the radio emission they produce show that they have a strong influence on these particles’ kinetics and transport. But what does that mean in terms of space weather implications?