Energization Processes of Plasma of Ionospheric Origin in the Magnetosphere and at the Magnetopause

The plasma populating the magnetosphere comes from a mix of two sources: the solar wind and the ionosphere. This ionospheric (or geogenic) plasma is initially much less energetic than the average magnetospheric plasma. Its low energy places it very often below the detection range of the instruments, despite its non-negligible density. Due to the absence of collisions, those populations remain distinct from other populations for a long time, but eventually mix in with solar wind origin plasma (e.g. with magnetic reconnection). Whether as independent population or in the process of mixing, this plasma gain energy and eventually reaches the average magnetospheric plasma energy.

This Research Topic aims to understand all the energization and particle scattering processes that explain how ionospheric plasma evolves from the initially cold plasma to the average magnetospheric temperature plasma. The comprehension of these processes is a key factor to understand the contribution of the ionosphere to magnetospheric plasma, in term of both quantity and energy. Given that those populations are most of the time collocated with higher energy population, another important point to understand is how and why energization processes affect differently the low energy geogenic plasma. To understand those points, both numerical and spacecrafts studies are needed, looking at local and global scales energization processes, with a special focus on geogenic populations.

This Research Topic welcomes any study looking at the energization processes of plasma of ionospheric origin. We accept articles including original research, methods, review and mini-review, hypothesis & theory, perspective, data report, brief research reports, general commentary, and opinion on the following forward-looking broad topics:

• Advanced data analysis regarding populations of ionospheric origin

• Advanced modeling techniques required to address the multi thermal population systems

• Advanced modeling techniques required to model the global journey of ionospheric ions in the magnetosphere

• Advancement in theory, model simulations, and analysis techniques required for ionospheric plasma studies

• Cutting edge measurement technics

• International collaboration and cooperation

• Relevant studies on the low-energy plasma in the coupled Magnetosphere-Ionosphere system throughout the solar system.

Keywords: Energization Processes, Ionospheric Plasmas, Magnetosphere, Magnetopause

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.