Explore the vast range of titles available.

Ultra-low frequency (ULF) magnetospheric plasma waves play a key role in the dynamics of the Earth’s magnetosphere and, therefore, their importance in Space Weather phenomena is indisputable. Magnetic field measurements from recent multi-satellite missions (e.g., Cluster, THEMIS, Van Allen Probes and Swarm) are currently advancing our knowledge on the physics of ULF waves. In particular, Swarm satellites, one of the most successful missions for the study of the near-Earth electromagnetic environment, have contributed to the expansion of data availability in the topside ionosphere, stimulating much recent progress in this area. Coupled with the new successful developments in artificial intelligence (AI), we are now able to use more robust approaches devoted to automated ULF wave event identification and classification. The goal of this effort is to use a popular machine learning method, widely used in Earth Observation domain for classification of satellite images, to solve a Space Physics classification problem, namely to identify ULF wave events using magnetic field data from Swarm. We construct a Convolutional Neural Network (ConvNet) that takes as input the wavelet spectrum of the Earth’s magnetic field variations per track, as measured by Swarm, and whose building blocks consist of two alternating convolution and pooling layers, and one fully connected layer, aiming to classify ULF wave events within four different possible signal categories: (1) Pc3 wave events (i.e., frequency range 20–100 MHz), (2) background noise, (3) false positives, and (4) plasma instabilities. Our preliminary experiments show promising results, yielding successful identification of more than 97% accuracy. The same methodology can be easily applied to magnetometer data from other satellite missions and ground-based arrays.

The high-frequency radio sky is bursting with synchrotron transients from massive stellar explosions and accretion events, but the low-frequency radio sky has, so far, been quiet beyond the Galactic pulsar population and the long-term scintillation of active galactic nuclei. The low-frequency band, however, is sensitive to exotic coherent and polarized radio-emission processes, such as electron-cyclotron maser emission from flaring M dwarfs 1 , stellar magnetospheric plasma interactions with exoplanets 2 and a population of steep-spectrum pulsars 3 , making Galactic-plane searches a prospect for blind-transient discovery. Here we report an analysis of archival low-frequency radio data that reveals a periodic, low-frequency radio transient. We find that the source pulses every 18.18 min, an unusual periodicity that has, to our knowledge, not been observed previously. The emission is highly linearly polarized, bright, persists for 30–60 s on each occurrence and is visible across a broad frequency range. At times, the pulses comprise short-duration (<0.5 s) bursts; at others, a smoother profile is observed. These profiles evolve on timescales of hours. By measuring the dispersion of the radio pulses with respect to frequency, we have localized the source to within our own Galaxy and suggest that it could be an ultra-long-period magnetar. Analysis of archival low-frequency radio data from the Murchison Widefield Array reveals a periodic transient with an unusual periodicity of 18.18 min, the source of which is localized to our Galaxy and could be an ultra-long-period magnetar.

We report on magnetic field measurements made in the innermost coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in its low-activity state. Quasi-coherent, large-amplitude (δ B/B ~ 1), compressional magnetic field oscillations at ~ 40 mHz dominate the immediate plasma environment of the nucleus. This differs from previously studied cometary interaction regions where waves at the cometary ion gyro-frequencies are the main feature. Thus classical pickup-ion-driven instabilities are unable to explain the observations. We propose a cross-field current instability associated with newborn cometary ion currents as a possible source mechanism.

The precipitation of tens to hundreds of keV electrons from Earth's magnetosphere plays a crucial role in magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling, primarily driven by chorus wave scattering. Most existing simulations of electron precipitation rely on test particle models that neglect particle feedback on waves. However, both theoretical and observational studies indicate that the feedback from energetic electrons significantly influences chorus wave excitation and evolution. In this study, we quantify electron precipitation driven by chorus waves using self‐consistent simulations at L = 6 with typical magnetospheric plasma parameters. Electrons in the ∼10–200 keV range are precipitated, exhibiting energy‐dispersive characteristics. The precipitation intensity reaches ∼108–109 ${10}^{8}\\!\\mathit{\\mbox{--}}\\!{10}^{9}$ keV/s/sr/cm2/MeV $\\mathrm{k}\\mathrm{e}\\mathrm{V}/\\mathrm{s}/\\mathrm{s}\\mathrm{r}/{\\mathrm{c}\\mathrm{m}}^{2}/\\mathrm{M}\\mathrm{e}\\mathrm{V}$, consistent with the typical values in observations. As a comparison, test particle simulations underestimate the precipitation intensity by nearly an order of magnitude. These results highlight the importance of self‐consistent simulations in quantifying electron precipitation and investigating wave‐particle interactions that modulate magnetospheric dynamics.

Mercury has a unique and complex space environment with its weak global magnetic field, intense solar wind, tenuous exosphere, and magnetospheric plasma particles. This complex system makes Mercury an excellent science target to understand effects of the solar wind to planetary environments. In addition, investigating Mercury’s dynamic magnetosphere also plays a key role to understand extreme exoplanetary environment and its habitability conditions against strong stellar winds. BepiColombo, a joint mission to Mercury by the European Space Agency and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, will address remaining open questions using two spacecraft, Mio and the Mercury Planetary Orbiter. Mio is a spin-stabilized spacecraft designed to investigate Mercury’s space environment, with a powerful suite of plasma instruments, a spectral imager for the exosphere, and a dust monitor. Because of strong constraints on operations during its orbiting phase around Mercury, sophisticated observation and downlink plans are required in order to maximize science outputs. This paper gives an overview of the Mio spacecraft and its mission, operations plan, and data handling and archiving.

Based on a hybrid model of Europa's magnetospheric interaction, we provide context for the magnetic field perturbations observed by the Juno spacecraft during its only close flyby of the moon in September 2022. By systematically varying the incident flow conditions and the density profile of Europa's atmosphere, we demonstrate that the observed, large‐scale signatures of magnetic field draping are consistent with a dawn‐dusk asymmetry in the moon's neutral envelope. During the flyby, such an asymmetry would have enhanced the magnetic perturbations in Europa's anti‐Jovian hemisphere, explaining why the spacecraft already detected strong field line draping while still several moon radii away. Conversely, a reduced neutral density in the sub‐Jovian hemisphere can explain why the perturbations in the flow‐aligned field component remained nearly constant as Juno approached Europa. While a dawn‐dusk asymmetry in Europa's atmosphere has been predicted by theoretical work, our results provide the first in situ hints of its presence. Plain Language Summary Located within Jupiter's magnetosphere, the small Galilean moon Europa is continuously exposed to a flow of magnetized plasma, traveling at a relative velocity of about 100 km/s. The deflection of this plasma around Europa generates perturbations to Jupiter's magnetic field, as observed for the first time in two decades during the flyby of the Juno spacecraft in 2022. The magnitude and extension of these magnetic perturbations are largely determined by the shape of Europa's atmosphere and ionosphere which represent obstacles to the incident magnetospheric plasma. To provide three‐dimensional context for the structure of Europa's magnetic environment at the time of the Juno flyby, we have applied a computer simulation to study the moon's interaction with the plasma flow. Comparison between modeled and observed magnetic fields suggests that, at the time when Juno collected these data, Europa's atmosphere may have been denser in the anti‐Jovian than in the Jupiter‐facing hemisphere. Theoretical predictions suggest such an asymmetry to be present in Europa's neutral envelope, partially generated by centrifugal and Coriolis forces acting on the gas molecules during the moon's rotation around Jupiter. Our study reveals first hints from a spacecraft flyby that such a hemispheric asymmetry may indeed exist in Europa's atmosphere. Key Points By applying a hybrid model (kinetic ions, fluid electrons), we study Europa's interaction with Jupiter's magnetosphere during the Juno flyby A dawn‐dusk asymmetry in Europa's atmosphere can reproduce the large‐scale structure of the draping signatures seen by the Juno magnetometer The spacecraft encountered the center of Europa's southern Alfven wing during ingress and the periphery of the northern wing during egress

Mercury is surrounded by a tenuous neutral exosphere composed primarily of sodium atoms, which can be continuously ionized. The production of sodium ions is concentrated on the dayside, and these ions can subsequently be transported to the magnetotail and flanks. MESSENGER spacecraft observations revealed dawn‐dusk asymmetric distributions of sodium ions Na+$N{a}^{+}$ . In this study, we investigate the Na+$N{a}^{+}$circulation, distribution, and its influence on global magnetospheric convection with a two‐fluid MHD model, which is coupled with an empirical sodium exosphere profile as the source of Na+$N{a}^{+}$ . In particular, we aim to investigate if the dawn‐dusk asymmetries in Na+$N{a}^{+}$distributions near the equator can be driven by internal mechanisms within the magnetosphere. Our findings indicate that (a) the observed dawn‐dusk asymmetric Na+$N{a}^{+}$distributions can be driven by the separation of H+${H}^{+}$and Na+$N{a}^{+}$flows, and (b) the Hall‐driven global convection preferentially transporting Na+$N{a}^{+}$ions to the morning sector. Plain Language Summary Mercury's weak magnetic field and proximity to the Sun make its magnetosphere much smaller and more dynamic than Earth's. With no substantial ionosphere, the magnetosphere is dominated by solar wind protons rather than planetary ions. However, Mercury has a tenuous sodium exosphere, and these neutral sodium atoms can become ionized on the dayside. This study uses a two‐fluid MHD model that couples magnetospheric plasma flows with Mercury's neutral sodium exosphere to study the transport and distribution of the sodium ions. It shows the Hall effect and the velocity separation between the proton fluid and sodium fluid can produce dawn‐dusk asymmetric distributions of sodium ions. Key Points Developed a multi‐fluid MHD model to study the dawn‐dusk asymmetric distributions of sodium ions in Mercury's magnetosphere Velocity separation between proton and sodium ion fluids can drive sodium ion dawn‐dusk asymmetric distributions Hall effects can transport more sodium ions to the morning sector

Since the Voyager mission flybys in 1979, we have known the moon Io to be both volcanically active and the main source of plasma in the vast magnetosphere of Jupiter. Material lost from Io forms neutral clouds, the Io plasma torus and ultimately the extended plasma sheet. This material is supplied from Io’s upper atmosphere and atmospheric loss is likely driven by plasma-interaction effects with possible contributions from thermal escape and photochemistry-driven escape. Direct volcanic escape is negligible. The supply of material to maintain the plasma torus has been estimated from various methods at roughly one ton per second. Most of the time the magnetospheric plasma environment of Io is stable on timescales from days to months. Similarly, Io’s atmosphere was found to have a stable average density on the dayside, although it exhibits lateral (longitudinal and latitudinal) and temporal (both diurnal and seasonal) variations. There is a potential positive feedback in the Io torus supply: collisions of torus plasma with atmospheric neutrals are probably a significant loss process, which increases with torus density. The stability of the torus environment may be maintained by limiting mechanisms of either torus supply from Io or the loss from the torus by centrifugal interchange in the middle magnetosphere. Various observations suggest that occasionally (roughly 1 to 2 detections per decade) the plasma torus undergoes major transient changes over a period of several weeks, apparently overcoming possible stabilizing mechanisms. Such events (as well as more frequent minor changes) are commonly explained by some kind of change in volcanic activity that triggers a chain of reactions which modify the plasma torus state via a net change in supply of new mass. However, it remains unknown what kind of volcanic event (if any) can trigger events in torus and magnetosphere, whether Io’s atmosphere undergoes a general change before or during such events, and what processes could enable such a change in the otherwise stable torus. Alternative explanations, which are not invoking volcanic activity, have not been put forward. We review the current knowledge on Io’s volcanic activity, atmosphere, and the magnetospheric neutral and plasma environment and their roles in mass transfer from Io to the plasma torus and magnetosphere. We provide an overview of the recorded events of transient changes in the torus, address several contradictions and inconsistencies, and point out gaps in our current understanding. Lastly, we provide a list of relevant terms and their definitions.

The modulation of chorus waves on several‐second timescales in Earth's magnetosphere plays a crucial role in modulating electron precipitation intensity, leading to the formation of pulsating aurora. However, the physical mechanism underlying chorus modulation remains not fully understood. In this study, we perform self‐consistent particle‐in‐cell simulations with typical magnetospheric plasma parameters to quantify chorus modulation driven by plasma density variations and compressional magnetic field fluctuations. It is demonstrated that chorus modulation is determined by nonlinear wave‐particle interactions, in which the condition for nonlinear wave growth is highly sensitive to background plasma parameters. The resulting electron precipitation in the ∼10–200 keV energy range exhibits modulation on comparable timescales, consistent with observations of pulsating aurora. This study enhances our understanding of how variations in magnetospheric plasma parameters influence chorus wave excitation and the associated particle dynamics.

Molecular ions are relatively cold in the E region ionosphere; however, they can upwell to the magnetosphere during geomagnetically active times. Resonance between electrostatic ion cyclotron (EIC) waves is a potential pathway to energize molecular ions. In this work, the E region ionospheric plasma was modeled in the laboratory, and EIC waves were excited by a nonuniform field‐aligned current. The EIC wave was excited even when the ion neutral collision frequency is much higher than the ion cyclotron frequency, and the fundamental frequency was observed to be below the ion cyclotron frequency. In addition, the wave dispersion of the collisional EIC wave was calculated, which shows a consistent trend with experimental results as the collisions increasing. Therefore, this work suggests that EIC waves can be excited in the E region ionospheric‐like plasma, which can support the explanation of the energization of molecular ions in the E region ionosphere. Plain Language Summary Spacecraft observed the presence of molecular ions in the topside ionosphere (600–1,000 km) and the magnetosphere during geomagnetically active times, and the potential mechanisms responsible for the acceleration of these molecular ions are still not fully understood. The resonance between electrostatic ion cyclotron (EIC) waves and molecular ions is a potential pathway to energize the molecular ions. However, most previous works on EIC waves were studied in collisionless plasma similar to the magnetospheric plasma, which is different from the E region ionospheric plasma. A typical characteristic of E region ionospheric plasma is the partially ionized effect, which introduces new physical processes that do not occur in collisionless plasmas. In this work, strong collisions that occurred in the E region ionosphere were simulated in the laboratory, and the current‐driven electrostatic ion cyclotron waves were observed in the modeled ionosphere. It is found that electrostatic ion cyclotron waves can be generated in the E region ionospheric‐like plasma. This work provides solid experimental evidence that electrostatic ion cyclotron instability can exist in weakly ionized plasmas of the E region ionosphere, and can be applied to explain the transverse ion heating of bulk ions in the bottomside ionosphere. Key Points The E region ionospheric‐like collisional plasma was modeled in the laboratory EIC waves were excited by field aligned current in the ionospheric‐like plasma This work can be applied to explain the energization of molecular ions in the E region ionosphere