About this Research Topic
Space Weather has an ever-increasing importance in the science and technology relating to the Sun-Earth system. Continuously changing solar wind conditions drive a perpetually evolving equilibrium in the Earth’s Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere (MIT) system. Therefore, studies on MIT coupling involving both transient solar events and over-solar cycles are important. The skyrocketing increase in space assets and our dependence on technology make the studies on MIT coupling even more important. A comprehensive understanding of Sun-Earth interactions and associated changes in the MIT system are therefore essential for modern society.
The near-Earth space environment shows a sudden change with solar events like coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and intervals of high-speed solar wind. Changes in the solar wind can drive changes in the electrodynamic coupling of the MIT system by processes including the discharge of energy into the high latitude ionosphere via field-aligned currents (FACs). Adjustments in the dynamics of the ionosphere-thermosphere system continue for several hours and days and can have an impact on space and ground-based technology systems. The high-latitude ionosphere is linked to the magnetosphere via processes like FACs, substorm closure currents, and polar outflow. Magnetospheric FACs are known to deposit energy into the high latitude ionosphere-thermosphere system. Atmospheric waves, tides, and Sudden Stratospheric warming drive changes in the ionospheric dynamics. The equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) and equatorial temperature and wind anomaly (ETWA) show the sensitive feedback in the ionosphere-thermosphere systems. The magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere (MIT) system is highly coupled, and complex.
The IT modifications can be short-term or long-term, with the sources being solar processes, coupling from the lower atmosphere, and internal mechanisms. The roles of numerous processes in the ionosphere are insufficiently understood, and forecasting such phenomena remains an ongoing challenge. While significant progress has been made in understanding the lower atmospheric processes that affect the Earth's ionosphere, the effects of space weather on the Earth's ionosphere remain unknown. As a result, we must investigate and comprehend the variations caused by solar and other processes. The purpose of this Research Topic is to describe new developments in monitoring and forecasting space weather conditions as well as to update our knowledge of physical processes from the Sun to the Earth's environment. In order to achieve a reliable forecast capability of space weather in the operation of high frequency (HF), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and satellite observations, this topic will concentrate on the underlying physical processes.
This Research Topic seeks scientific input on space weather and its effects on the magnetosphere and ionosphere of the Earth. We welcome original research articles as well as reviews that include observations, theory, and modeling studies especially on the following topics:
1. Observations and modeling of the impact of space weather on the coupled MIT system.
2. MIT system simulations and observations using satellite and ground-based techniques.
3. Interactions of charged particles in the Earth's radiation belts with the ionosphere.
4. Ionospheric electrodynamics and irregularities under quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions.
5. Impact of disturbed space-weather conditions on radio wave propagation, communication, and GPS/GNSS total electron content (TEC).
6. Neutral dynamics of the ionosphere, including ground and space observations and modeling.
The near-Earth space environment shows a sudden change with solar events like coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and intervals of high-speed solar wind. Changes in the solar wind can drive changes in the electrodynamic coupling of the MIT system by processes including the discharge of energy into the high latitude ionosphere via field-aligned currents (FACs). Adjustments in the dynamics of the ionosphere-thermosphere system continue for several hours and days and can have an impact on space and ground-based technology systems. The high-latitude ionosphere is linked to the magnetosphere via processes like FACs, substorm closure currents, and polar outflow. Magnetospheric FACs are known to deposit energy into the high latitude ionosphere-thermosphere system. Atmospheric waves, tides, and Sudden Stratospheric warming drive changes in the ionospheric dynamics. The equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) and equatorial temperature and wind anomaly (ETWA) show the sensitive feedback in the ionosphere-thermosphere systems. The magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere (MIT) system is highly coupled, and complex.
The IT modifications can be short-term or long-term, with the sources being solar processes, coupling from the lower atmosphere, and internal mechanisms. The roles of numerous processes in the ionosphere are insufficiently understood, and forecasting such phenomena remains an ongoing challenge. While significant progress has been made in understanding the lower atmospheric processes that affect the Earth's ionosphere, the effects of space weather on the Earth's ionosphere remain unknown. As a result, we must investigate and comprehend the variations caused by solar and other processes. The purpose of this Research Topic is to describe new developments in monitoring and forecasting space weather conditions as well as to update our knowledge of physical processes from the Sun to the Earth's environment. In order to achieve a reliable forecast capability of space weather in the operation of high frequency (HF), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and satellite observations, this topic will concentrate on the underlying physical processes.
This Research Topic seeks scientific input on space weather and its effects on the magnetosphere and ionosphere of the Earth. We welcome original research articles as well as reviews that include observations, theory, and modeling studies especially on the following topics:
1. Observations and modeling of the impact of space weather on the coupled MIT system.
2. MIT system simulations and observations using satellite and ground-based techniques.
3. Interactions of charged particles in the Earth's radiation belts with the ionosphere.
4. Ionospheric electrodynamics and irregularities under quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions.
5. Impact of disturbed space-weather conditions on radio wave propagation, communication, and GPS/GNSS total electron content (TEC).
6. Neutral dynamics of the ionosphere, including ground and space observations and modeling.
Keywords: Space weather, Ionosphere-Magnetosphere coupling, Geomagnetic storms and Substorms, Electrodynamics of the Ionosphere, Ionospheric irregularities
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
