Supersonically Turbulent, Shock Bound Interaction Zones

Abstract

Shock bound interaction zones (SBIZs) are ubiquitous in astrophysics. We present numerical results for 2D and 3D, plane-parallel, infinitely extended SBIZs. Isothermal settings and parameterized cooling are considered. We highlight and compare characteristic of such zones. We emphasize the mutual coupling between the turbulence within the SBIZ and the confining shocks, point out potential differences to 3D periodic box studies of supersonic turbulence, and contemplate on possible effects on the X-ray emission of such zones.

7 pages, 4 figures; ASTRONUM-2009 "Numerical Modeling of Space Plasma Flows", Chamonix, France, July 2009, ASP Conf. Proc., in press