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This study uses multiple ground and satellite‐based measurements to investigate the extreme ionospheric response to the Mother's Day storm on May 10–11, 2024. Prompt penetration electric field caused a significant enhancement in the ionospheric vertical drift (∼${\\sim} $95 m/s) and the equatorial electrojet strength (∼${\\sim} $  275 nT) over Jicamarca. These extreme eastward electric field perturbations, along with the large meridional wind, significantly altered the F‐region plasma fountain at different local times. The afternoon equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) not only sustained for an exceptionally long duration (∼${\\sim} $12 hr) but also expanded spatially over time. The separation between the two peaks of EIA crests exceeded ∼48°${\\sim} 48{}^{\\circ}$and ∼70°${\\sim} 70{}^{\\circ}$in the morning and evening sectors, respectively. This study shows, for the first time, that unusually strong EIA can not only develop at different local times but can also sustain for long duration under favorable conditions, which has implications for space weather applications. Plain Language Summary The Earth's upper atmosphere is significantly influenced by space weather events, particularly geomagnetic storms. In this study, we investigate the impact of an intense geomagnetic storm that occurred on 10–11 May 2024 (popularly known as Mother's Day storm) on the equatorial and low‐latitude ionosphere. Using datasets from various ground and satellites‐based (SWARM, and GOLD satellites, Global GNSS receivers, Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR), Fabry‐ Perot interferometers (FPI), and magnetometer) measurements, we show the impact of extreme prompt penetration of electric field on the development of plasma fountain during the storm. We observe a significant increase in electron density and TEC during the main phase of the storm. Our findings highlight the role of extreme space weather disturbances on the generation of EIA at different local times and the impact of the plasma distribution on the globe. We also observe different types of electric field perturbations on low latitude ionosphere during this severe geomagnetic storm. Key Points The plasma fountain during the Mother's Day storm was unusually strong across different local time sectors The combined effects of a strong penetration electric field and meridional wind sustained the plasma fountains for an extended period The EIA crest over the Jicamarca sector merged with the expanded auroral region

Understanding the kinematic evolution of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the heliosphere is important to estimate their arrival time at Earth. The kinematics of CMEs can change when they interact or collide with each other as they propagate in the heliosphere. In this article, we analyze the collision and post-interaction characteristics of two Earth-directed CMEs that were launched successively on 9 and 10 November 2012. To do this, we used white-light imaging observations from STEREO/SECCHI and in situ observations taken from the Wind spacecraft. We tracked two density-enhancement features associated with the leading and trailing edge of the 9 November CME and one density enhanced feature associated with the leading edges of the 10 November CME by constructing J-maps. We found that the leading edge of the 10 November CME interacted with the trailing edge of the 9 November CME. We also estimated the kinematics of these features of the CMEs and found a significant change in their dynamics after interaction. In in situ observations, we identified distinct structures associated with interacting CMEs and also observed heating and compression as signatures of their interaction. Our analysis shows an improvement in the arrival-time prediction of CMEs when their post-collision dynamics are used instead of the pre-collision dynamics. By estimating the true masses and speeds of these colliding CMEs, we investigated the nature of the observed collision, which is found to be almost perfectly inelastic. The investigation also places in perspective the geomagnetic consequences of the two CMEs and their interaction in terms of occurrence of geomagnetic storms and triggering of magnetospheric substorms.

We report on the kinematics of two interacting CMEs observed on 13 and 14 June 2012. The two CMEs originated from the same active region NOAA 11504. After their launches which were separated by several hours, they were observed to interact at a distance of 100 R ⊙ from the Sun. The interaction led to a moderate geomagnetic storm at the Earth with minimum D st index of approximately −86 nT. The kinematics of the two CMEs is estimated using data from the Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation (SECCHI) instrument onboard the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO). Assuming a head-on collision scenario, we find that the collision is inelastic in nature. Further, the signatures of their interaction are examined using the in situ observations obtained by Wind and the Advance Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft. It is also found that this interaction event led to the strongest sudden storm commencement (SSC) ( ≈ 150  nT) of the present Solar Cycle 24. The SSC was of long duration, approximately 20 hours. The role of interacting CMEs in enhancing the geoeffectiveness is examined.

X-ray pulsations with an average period of 1.37 seconds have been detected from a known ultraluminous X-ray source hitherto thought to be a black hole; the pulsations instead unequivocally identify the source as an accreting magnetized neutron star ten times brighter than any previously known. What drives ultraluminous X-ray sources? Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are non-nuclear point sources that are widely believed to contain either intermediate mass black holes or smaller, stellar mass black holes accreting from a binary companion. The study of ULXs provides information about black hole formation and/or modes of high Eddington rate accretion. Two papers in this issue of Nature describe pulsating ULXs with unusual properties. Christian Motch et al . find that source P13 in the galaxy NGC 7793 is in a ∼64 day period binary system. By modelling the strong optical and UV modulations arising from X-ray heating of the B9Ia donor star, they constrain the black hole mass to be less than 15 solar masses. Matteo Bachetti et al . observe a source in the galaxy M82 that, the pulsation data imply, harbours a neutron star rather than a black hole, raising doubts over the assumption that black holes power the most luminous X-ray binaries. The majority of ultraluminous X-ray sources are point sources that are spatially offset from the nuclei of nearby galaxies and whose X-ray luminosities exceed the theoretical maximum for spherical infall (the Eddington limit) onto stellar-mass black holes 1 , 2 . Their X-ray luminosities in the 0.5–10 kiloelectronvolt energy band range from 10 39 to 10 41  ergs per second 3 . Because higher masses imply less extreme ratios of the luminosity to the isotropic Eddington limit, theoretical models have focused on black hole rather than neutron star systems 1 , 2 . The most challenging sources to explain are those at the luminous end of the range (more than 10 40  ergs per second), which require black hole masses of 50–100 times the solar value or significant departures from the standard thin disk accretion that powers bright Galactic X-ray binaries, or both. Here we report broadband X-ray observations of the nuclear region of the galaxy M82 that reveal pulsations with an average period of 1.37 seconds and a 2.5-day sinusoidal modulation. The pulsations result from the rotation of a magnetized neutron star, and the modulation arises from its binary orbit. The pulsed flux alone corresponds to an X-ray luminosity in the 3–30 kiloelectronvolt range of 4.9 × 10 39  ergs per second. The pulsating source is spatially coincident with a variable source 4 that can reach an X-ray luminosity in the 0.3–10 kiloelectronvolt range of 1.8 × 10 40  ergs per second 1 . This association implies a luminosity of about 100 times the Eddington limit for a 1.4-solar-mass object, or more than ten times brighter than any known accreting pulsar. This implies that neutron stars may not be rare in the ultraluminous X-ray population, and it challenges physical models for the accretion of matter onto magnetized compact objects.

This letter reports first simultaneous detection of F‐region plasma‐depleted structure in O(1D) 630.0 and O(1S) 557.7 nm airglow images on a geomagnetically quiet‐night (Ap = 3) of 26 June 2021 from mid‐latitude station (Hanle, India) due to enhanced thermospheric 557.7 nm emission. Since nighttime thermospheric 557.7 nm emission over mid‐latitudes is predominantly masked by significantly larger mesospheric component, F‐region plasma structures are rarely observed in 557.7 nm images. Interestingly, thermospheric 557.7 nm emission was not significant on the following geomagnetically quiet‐night as bands of medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbance were only observed in 630.0 nm images. Poleward wind generated by Equatorial Temperature and Wind Anomaly transported plasma from the boundary of equatorial ionization anomaly, causing significant electron density enhancement around 250 km and descent of F‐layer peak over Hanle on 26 June 2021. This amplified the dissociative recombination enabling the simultaneous detection of plasma‐depleted structure in 557.7 and 630.0 nm images. Plain Language Summary The thermospheric O(1S) 557.7 generated through dissociative recombination of O2+ in the F‐region is significantly lower than its mesospheric counterpart which is generated via the Barth mechanism in the Mesosphere‐Lower‐Thermosphere region. This causes difficulties in the simultaneous detection of mid‐latitude F‐region plasma structures in 630.0 and 557.7 nm airglow images during geomagnetically quiet nights of low solar active years. We report, for the first time, such simultaneous detection of plasma‐depleted structure from mid‐latitude station (Hanle, India) on a geomagnetically quiet night of 26 June 2021. Interestingly, the thermospheric 557.7 nm emission was not significant on the following geomagnetically quiet night as bands of medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbance were detected only in the 630.0 nm images. Results from multi‐instrument data sets showed the descent of F‐layer peak and significant electron density enhancement over Hanle. The local poleward wind generated by stronger Equatorial Temperature and Wind Anomaly on 26 June 2021 transported the plasma from the boundary of the equatorial ionization anomaly region to Hanle through geomagnetic field lines. This caused the enhancement of electron density around 250 km and descent of F‐layer peak over Hanle that created suitable condition for the amplification of dissociative recombination reaction. Key Points Simultaneous observation of mid‐latitude F‐region plasma‐depleted structure in O(1D) 630.0 and O(1S) 557.7 nm airglow images Significantly higher electron density is observed over the region on 26 June 2021 than on the following night at airglow emission altitude Thermospheric O(1S) 557.7 nm emission contributed significantly due to the enhancement in the dissociative recombination reaction

In this article, we present a multi-wavelength and multi-instrument investigation of a halo coronal mass ejection (CME) from active region NOAA 12371 on 21 June 2015 that led to a major geomagnetic storm of minimum Dst = − 204  nT. The observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory in the hot EUV channel of 94 Å confirm the CME to be associated with a coronal sigmoid that displayed an intense emission ( T ∼ 6  MK) from its core before the onset of the eruption. Multi-wavelength observations of the source active region suggest tether-cutting reconnection to be the primary triggering mechanism of the flux rope eruption. Interestingly, the flux rope eruption exhibited a two-phase evolution during which the “standard” large-scale flare reconnection process originated two composite M-class flares. The eruption of the flux rope is followed by the coronagraphic observation of a fast, halo CME with linear projected speed of 1366 km s −1 . The dynamic radio spectrum in the decameter-hectometer frequency range reveals multiple continuum-like enhancements in type II radio emission which imply the interaction of the CME with other preceding slow speed CMEs in the corona within ≈ 10  –  90 R ⊙ . The scenario of CME–CME interaction in the corona and interplanetary medium is further confirmed by the height–time plots of the CMEs occurring during 19 – 21 June. In situ measurements of solar wind magnetic field and plasma parameters at 1 AU exhibit two distinct magnetic clouds, separated by a magnetic hole. Synthesis of near-Sun observations, interplanetary radio emissions, and in situ measurements at 1 AU reveal complex processes of CME–CME interactions right from the source active region to the corona and interplanetary medium that have played a crucial role towards the large enhancement of the geoeffectiveness of the halo CME on 21 June 2015.

On 3 July 2021, an X1.5 solar flare from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration solar Active Region AR12838 (24°N, 88°W) occurred at 14:18 UT, peaked at 14:29 UT, and decayed at 14:34 UT. The study of this X1.5 solar flare is significant due to its unique geomagnetic crochet feature at high latitudes and its effective signature on Earth. The study examined X‐rays, the extreme ultraviolet spectrum, ionospheric equivalent current (IEC), and geomagnetic field components. The study reveals a sudden increase in IEC during the X1.5 flare episode, forming a zonal current region and producing a geomagnetic crochet signature in geomagnetic field components at high latitudes (50°–80°N) along the 11°–26°E longitude sector during the flare peak time. All three geomagnetic field components show different sensitivity to the solar flare effect (sfe), and the amplitude and phase of the geomagnetic crochet across latitudes (for a given longitude) are consistent with the variations in the IEC. The present study is the first to appraise geomagnetic crochets of low magnitude (8–40 nT) and short duration (10–15 min) at high latitudes, particularly in the polar cusp region, during the X‐class limb flare.

Interactions of solar wind dynamic pressure (SWDP) discontinuities with Earth's magnetosphere cause geomagnetic Sudden Commencements (SCs). Typically, positive/negative SCs occur at low latitudes due to enhancements/reductions in SWDP. However, anomalous dawn‐side SCs of opposite polarity were recently reported during the 10 May 2024, superstorm [Nilam et al., 2025, ]. This study examines SC responses to positive and negative pressure discontinuities on the May 10 and October 10 storms under similar storm phases and local times. Both events consistently revealed anomalous dawn‐side low latitude SCs opposite to those at other longitudes. We suggest the main impulse of the Disturbance Polar (DP) field extending equatorward as the most likely source. Under highly compressed background magnetosphere conditions, field‐aligned currents associated with DP fields can shift to lower L‐shells, producing such anomalous SCs at dawn‐side low latitudes. These findings provide new insights into dawn‐side magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling during intense storms.

The responses of two High-Intensity Long-Duration Continuous AE Activity (HILDCAA) events are investigated using solar wind observations at L1, magnetospheric measurements at geosynchronous orbit, and changes in the global ionosphere. This study provides evidence of the existence of quasi-periodic oscillations (1.5–2 h) in the ionospheric electric field over low latitudes, total electron content at high latitudes, the magnetic field over the globe, energetic electron flux and magnetic field at geosynchronous orbit, geomagnetic indices (SYM-H, AE, and PC) and the Y-component of the interplanetary electric field (IEFy) during the HILDCAA events at all local times. Based on detailed wavelet and cross-spectrum analyses, it is shown that the quasi-periodic oscillation of 1.5–2 h in IEFy is the most effective one that controls the solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling process during the HILDCAA events for several days. Therefore, this investigation for the first time, shows that the HILDCAA event affects the global magnetosphere–ionosphere system with a “quasi-resonant” mode of oscillation.

The total energy transfer from the solar wind to the magnetosphere is governed by the reconnection rate at the magnetosphere edges as the Z‐component of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF Bz) turns southward. The geomagnetic storm on 21–22 January 2005 is considered to be anomalous as the SYM‐H index that signifies the strength of ring current, decreases and had a sustained trough value of −101 nT lasting more than 6 hr under northward IMF Bz conditions. In this work, the standard WINDMI model is utilized to estimate the growth and decay of magnetospheric currents by using several solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling functions. However, it is found that the WINDMI model driven by any of these coupling functions is not fully able to explain the decrease of SYM‐H under northward IMF Bz. A dense plasma sheet along with signatures of a highly stretched magnetosphere was observed during this storm. The SYM‐H variations during the entire duration of the storm were only reproduced after modifying the WINDMI model to account for the effects of the dense plasma sheet. The limitations of directly driven models relying purely on the solar wind parameters and not accounting for the state of the magnetosphere are highlighted by this work.