Articles | Volume 18, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-511-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-511-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Development and technical paper
| 
29 Jan 2025
Development and technical paper |
| 29 Jan 2025
| 29 Jan 2025
The Vlasiator 5.2 ionosphere – coupling a magnetospheric hybrid-Vlasov simulation with a height-integrated ionosphere model
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Yann Pfau-Kempf
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Hongyang Zhou
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Liisa Juusola
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Abiyot Workayehu
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Fasil Kebede
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Konstantinos Papadakis
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Maxime Grandin
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Markku Alho
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Markus Battarbee
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Maxime Dubart
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Leo Kotipalo
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Arnaud Lalagüe
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Jonas Suni
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Konstantinos Horaites
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Minna Palmroth
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Related authors
Yann Pfau-Kempf, Konstantinos Papadakis, Markku Alho, Markus Battarbee, Giulia Cozzani, Lauri Pänkäläinen, Urs Ganse, Fasil Kebede, Jonas Suni, Konstantinos Horaites, Maxime Grandin, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2024-26, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2024-26, 2024
Preprint under review for ANGEO
Short summary
Short summary
Flux ropes are peculiar structures of twisted magnetic field occurring in many regions of space, near Earth and other planets, at the Sun, and in astrophysical objects. We developed a new way of detecting flux ropes in large supercomputer simulations of near-Earth space and we use it to follow the evolution of flux ropes for long distances past the Earth in the flow direction. This will be useful in future studies as these flux ropes are involved in the transport of matter and energy in space.
Markku Alho, Giulia Cozzani, Ivan Zaitsev, Fasil Tesema Kebede, Urs Ganse, Markus Battarbee, Maarja Bussov, Maxime Dubart, Sanni Hoilijoki, Leo Kotipalo, Konstantinos Papadakis, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Jonas Suni, Vertti Tarvus, Abiyot Workayehu, Hongyang Zhou, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 42, 145–161, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-145-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-145-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Magnetic reconnection is one of the main processes for energy conversion and plasma transport in space plasma physics, associated with plasma entry into the magnetosphere of Earth and Earth’s substorm cycle. Global modelling of these plasma processes enables us to understand the magnetospheric system in detail. However, finding sites of active reconnection from large simulation datasets can be challenging, and this paper develops tools to find magnetic topologies related to reconnection.
Jonas Suni, Minna Palmroth, Lucile Turc, Markus Battarbee, Giulia Cozzani, Maxime Dubart, Urs Ganse, Harriet George, Evgeny Gordeev, Konstantinos Papadakis, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Vertti Tarvus, Fasil Tesema, and Hongyang Zhou
Ann. Geophys., 41, 551–568, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-551-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-551-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Magnetosheath jets are structures of enhanced plasma density and/or velocity in a region of near-Earth space known as the magnetosheath. When they propagate towards the Earth, these jets can disturb the Earth's magnetic field and cause hazards for satellites. In this study, we use a simulation called Vlasiator to model near-Earth space and investigate jets using case studies and statistical analysis. We find that jets that propagate towards the Earth are different from jets that do not.
Konstantinos Papadakis, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Markus Battarbee, Markku Alho, Maxime Grandin, Maxime Dubart, Lucile Turc, Hongyang Zhou, Konstantinos Horaites, Ivan Zaitsev, Giulia Cozzani, Maarja Bussov, Evgeny Gordeev, Fasil Tesema, Harriet George, Jonas Suni, Vertti Tarvus, and Minna Palmroth
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 7903–7912, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7903-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7903-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Vlasiator is a plasma simulation code that simulates the entire near-Earth space at a global scale. As 6D simulations require enormous amounts of computational resources, Vlasiator uses adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) to lighten the computational burden. However, due to Vlasiator’s grid topology, AMR simulations suffer from grid aliasing artifacts that affect the global results. In this work, we present and evaluate the performance of a mechanism for alleviating those artifacts.
Vertti Tarvus, Lucile Turc, Markus Battarbee, Jonas Suni, Xóchitl Blanco-Cano, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Markku Alho, Maxime Dubart, Maxime Grandin, Andreas Johlander, Konstantinos Papadakis, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 39, 911–928, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-911-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-911-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We use simulations of Earth's magnetosphere and study the formation of transient wave structures in the region where the solar wind first interacts with the magnetosphere. These transients move earthward and play a part in the solar wind–magnetosphere interaction. We show that the transients are a common feature and their properties are altered as they move earthward, including an increase in temperature, decrease in solar wind speed and an alteration in their propagation properties.
Andrei Runov, Maxime Grandin, Minna Palmroth, Markus Battarbee, Urs Ganse, Heli Hietala, Sanni Hoilijoki, Emilia Kilpua, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Sergio Toledo-Redondo, Lucile Turc, and Drew Turner
Ann. Geophys., 39, 599–612, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-599-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-599-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In collisionless systems like space plasma, particle velocity distributions contain fingerprints of ongoing physical processes. However, it is challenging to decode this information from observations. We used hybrid-Vlasov simulations to obtain ion velocity distribution functions at different locations and at different stages of the Earth's magnetosphere dynamics. The obtained distributions provide valuable examples that may be directly compared with observations by satellites in space.
Minna Palmroth, Savvas Raptis, Jonas Suni, Tomas Karlsson, Lucile Turc, Andreas Johlander, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Xochitl Blanco-Cano, Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, Markus Battarbee, Maxime Dubart, Maxime Grandin, Vertti Tarvus, and Adnane Osmane
Ann. Geophys., 39, 289–308, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-289-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-289-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Magnetosheath jets are high-velocity features within the Earth's turbulent magnetosheath, separating the Earth's magnetic domain from the solar wind. The characteristics of the jets are difficult to assess statistically as a function of their lifetime because normally spacecraft observe them only at one position within the magnetosheath. This study first confirms the accuracy of the model used, Vlasiator, by comparing it to MMS spacecraft, and then carries out the first jet lifetime statistics.
Markus Battarbee, Thiago Brito, Markku Alho, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Maxime Grandin, Urs Ganse, Konstantinos Papadakis, Andreas Johlander, Lucile Turc, Maxime Dubart, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 39, 85–103, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-85-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-85-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate local acceleration dynamics of electrons with a new numerical simulation method, which is an extension of a world-leading kinetic plasma simulation. We describe how large supercomputer simulations can be used to initialize the electron simulations and show numerical stability for the electron method. We show that features of our simulated electrons match observations from Earth's magnetic tail region.
Maxime Dubart, Urs Ganse, Adnane Osmane, Andreas Johlander, Markus Battarbee, Maxime Grandin, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Lucile Turc, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 38, 1283–1298, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1283-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1283-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Plasma waves are ubiquitous in the Earth's magnetosphere. They are responsible for many energetic processes happening in Earth's atmosphere, such as auroras. In order to understand these processes, thorough investigations of these waves are needed. We use a state-of-the-art numerical model to do so. Here we investigate the impact of different spatial resolutions in the model on these waves in order to improve in the future the model without wasting computational resources.
Markus Battarbee, Xóchitl Blanco-Cano, Lucile Turc, Primož Kajdič, Andreas Johlander, Vertti Tarvus, Stephen Fuselier, Karlheinz Trattner, Markku Alho, Thiago Brito, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, Tomas Karlsson, Savvas Raptis, Maxime Dubart, Maxime Grandin, Jonas Suni, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 38, 1081–1099, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1081-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1081-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the dynamics of helium in the foreshock, a part of near-Earth space found upstream of the Earth's bow shock. We show how the second most common ion in interplanetary space reacts strongly to plasma waves found in the foreshock. Spacecraft observations and supercomputer simulations both give us a new understanding of the foreshock edge and how to interpret future observations.
Lucile Turc, Vertti Tarvus, Andrew P. Dimmock, Markus Battarbee, Urs Ganse, Andreas Johlander, Maxime Grandin, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Maxime Dubart, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 38, 1045–1062, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1045-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1045-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Using global computer simulations, we study properties of the magnetosheath, the region of near-Earth space where the stream of particles originating from the Sun, the solar wind, is slowed down and deflected around the Earth's magnetic field. One of our main findings is that even for idealised solar wind conditions as used in our model, the magnetosheath density shows large-scale spatial and temporal variation in the so-called quasi-parallel magnetosheath, causing varying levels of asymmetry.
Markus Battarbee, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Lucile Turc, Thiago Brito, Maxime Grandin, Tuomas Koskela, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 38, 625–643, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-625-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-625-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The structure and medium-scale dynamics of Earth's bow shock and how charged solar wind particles are reflected by it are studied in order to better understand space weather effects. We use advanced supercomputer simulations to model the shock and reflected ions. We find that the thickness of the shock depends on solar wind conditions but also has small-scale variations. Charged particle reflection is shown to be non-localized. Magnetic fields are important for ion reflection.
Maxime Grandin, Markus Battarbee, Adnane Osmane, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Lucile Turc, Thiago Brito, Tuomas Koskela, Maxime Dubart, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 37, 791–806, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-791-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-791-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
When the terrestrial magnetic field is disturbed, particles from the near-Earth space can precipitate into the upper atmosphere. This work presents, for the first time, numerical simulations of proton precipitation in the energy range associated with the production of aurora (∼1–30 keV) using a global kinetic model of the near-Earth space: Vlasiator. We find that nightside proton precipitation can be regulated by the transition region between stretched and dipolar geomagnetic field lines.
Liisa Juusola, Sanni Hoilijoki, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Riku Jarvinen, Markus Battarbee, Emilia Kilpua, Lucile Turc, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 36, 1183–1199, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1183-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1183-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The solar wind interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field, forming a magnetosphere. On the night side solar wind stretches the magnetosphere into a long tail. A process called magnetic reconnection opens the magnetic field lines and reconnects them, accelerating particles to high energies. We study this in the magnetotail using a numerical simulation model of the Earth’s magnetosphere. We study the motion of the points where field lines reconnect and the fast flows driven by this process.
Minna Palmroth, Heli Hietala, Ferdinand Plaschke, Martin Archer, Tomas Karlsson, Xóchitl Blanco-Cano, David Sibeck, Primož Kajdič, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Markus Battarbee, and Lucile Turc
Ann. Geophys., 36, 1171–1182, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1171-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1171-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Magnetosheath jets are high-velocity plasma structures that are commonly observed within the Earth's magnetosheath. Previously, they have mainly been investigated with spacecraft observations, which do not allow us to infer their spatial sizes, temporal evolution, or origin. This paper shows for the first time their dimensions, evolution, and origins within a simulation whose dimensions are directly comparable to the Earth's magnetosphere. The results are compared to previous observations.
Xochitl Blanco-Cano, Markus Battarbee, Lucile Turc, Andrew P. Dimmock, Emilia K. J. Kilpua, Sanni Hoilijoki, Urs Ganse, David G. Sibeck, Paul A. Cassak, Robert C. Fear, Riku Jarvinen, Liisa Juusola, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Rami Vainio, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 36, 1081–1097, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1081-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1081-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We use the Vlasiator code to study the characteristics of transient structures that exist in the Earth's foreshock, i.e. upstream of the bow shock. The structures are cavitons and spontaneous hot flow anomalies (SHFAs). These transients can interact with the bow shock. We study the changes the shock suffers via this interaction. We also investigate ion distributions associated with the cavitons and SHFAs. A very important result is that the arrival of multiple SHFAs results in shock erosion.
Liisa Juusola, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Markus Battarbee, Thiago Brito, Maxime Grandin, Lucile Turc, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 36, 1027–1035, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1027-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1027-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The Earth's magnetic field is shaped by the solar wind. On the dayside the field is compressed and on the nightside it is stretched as a long tail. The tail has been observed to occasionally undergo flapping motions, but the origin of these motions is not understood. We study the flapping using a numerical simulation of the near-Earth space. We present a possible explanation for how the flapping could be initiated by a passing disturbance and then maintained as a standing wave.
Minna Palmroth, Sanni Hoilijoki, Liisa Juusola, Tuija I. Pulkkinen, Heli Hietala, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Sebastian von Alfthan, Rami Vainio, and Michael Hesse
Ann. Geophys., 35, 1269–1274, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-1269-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-1269-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Much like solar flares, substorms occurring within the Earth's magnetic domain are explosive events that cause vivid auroral displays. A decades-long debate exists to explain the substorm onset. We devise a simulation encompassing the entire near-Earth space and demonstrate that detailed modelling of magnetic reconnection explains the central substorm observations. Our results help to understand the unpredictable substorm process, which will significantly improve space weather forecasts.
Maxime Grandin, Emma Bruus, Vincent E. Ledvina, Noora Partamies, Mathieu Barthelemy, Carlos Martinis, Rowan Dayton-Oxland, Bea Gallardo-Lacourt, Yukitoshi Nishimura, Katie Herlingshaw, Neethal Thomas, Eero Karvinen, Donna Lach, Marjan Spijkers, and Calle Bergstrand
Geosci. Commun., 7, 297–316, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-7-297-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-7-297-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We carried out a citizen science study of aurora sightings and technological disruptions experienced during the extreme geomagnetic storm of 10 May 2024. We collected reports from 696 observers from over 30 countries via an online survey, supplemented with observations logged in the Skywarden database. We found that the aurora was seen from exceptionally low latitudes and had very bright red and pink hues, suggesting that high fluxes of low-energy electrons from space entered the atmosphere.
Yann Pfau-Kempf, Konstantinos Papadakis, Markku Alho, Markus Battarbee, Giulia Cozzani, Lauri Pänkäläinen, Urs Ganse, Fasil Kebede, Jonas Suni, Konstantinos Horaites, Maxime Grandin, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2024-26, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2024-26, 2024
Preprint under review for ANGEO
Short summary
Short summary
Flux ropes are peculiar structures of twisted magnetic field occurring in many regions of space, near Earth and other planets, at the Sun, and in astrophysical objects. We developed a new way of detecting flux ropes in large supercomputer simulations of near-Earth space and we use it to follow the evolution of flux ropes for long distances past the Earth in the flow direction. This will be useful in future studies as these flux ropes are involved in the transport of matter and energy in space.
Noora Partamies, Rowan Dayton-Oxland, Katie Herlingshaw, Ilkka Virtanen, Bea Gallardo-Lacourt, Mikko Syrjäsuo, Fred Sigernes, Takanori Nishiyama, Toshi Nishimura, Mathieu Barthelemy, Anasuya Aruliah, Daniel Whiter, Lena Mielke, Maxime Grandin, Eero Karvinen, Marjan Spijkers, and Vincent Ledvina
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3669, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3669, 2024
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Annales Geophysicae (ANGEO).
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the first broad band emissions, called continuum, in the dayside aurora. They are similar to STEVE with white, pale pink or mauve coloured light. But unlike STEVE, they follow the dayside aurora forming rays and other dynamic shapes. We used ground optical and radar observations and found evidence of heating and upwelling of both plasma and neutral air. This study provides new information on conditions for continuum emission, but its understanding will require further work.
Liisa Juusola, Heikki Vanhamäki, Elena Marshalko, Mikhail Kruglyakov, and Ari Viljanen
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2831, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2831, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Interaction between the magnetic field of the rapidly varying electric currents in space and the conducting ground produces an electric field at the Earth's surface. This geoelectric field drives geomagnetically induced currents in technological conductor networks, which can affect the performance of critical ground infrastructure such as electric power transmission grids. We have developed a new method suitable for monitoring the geoelectric field based on ground magnetic field observations.
Maxime Grandin, Noora Partamies, and Ilkka I. Virtanen
Ann. Geophys., 42, 355–369, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-355-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-355-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Auroral displays typically take place at high latitudes, but the exact latitude where the auroral breakup occurs can vary. In this study, we compare the characteristics of the fluxes of precipitating electrons from space during auroral breakups occurring above Tromsø (central part of the auroral zone) and above Svalbard (poleward boundary of the auroral zone). We find that electrons responsible for the aurora above Tromsø carry more energy than those precipitating above Svalbard.
Leo Kotipalo, Markus Battarbee, Yann Pfau-Kempf, and Minna Palmroth
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 6401–6413, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-6401-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-6401-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This paper examines a method called adaptive mesh refinement in optimization of the space plasma simulation model Vlasiator. The method locally adjusts resolution in regions which are most relevant to modelling, based on the properties of the plasma. The runs testing this method show that adaptive refinement manages to highlight the desired regions with manageable performance overhead. Performance in larger-scale production runs and mitigation of overhead are avenues of further research.
Tuomas Häkkilä, Maxime Grandin, Markus Battarbee, Monika E. Szeląg, Markku Alho, Leo Kotipalo, Niilo Kalakoski, Pekka T. Verronen, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2024-7, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2024-7, 2024
Preprint under review for ANGEO
Short summary
Short summary
We study the atmospheric impact of auroral electron precipitation, by the novel combination of both magnetospheric and atmospheric modelling. We first simulate fluxes of auroral electrons, and then use these fluxes to model their atmospheric impact. We find an increase of up to 200 % in thermospheric odd nitrogen, and a corresponding decrease in stratospheric ozone of around 0.7 %. The produced auroral electron precipitation is realistic, and shows the potential for future studies.
Markku Alho, Giulia Cozzani, Ivan Zaitsev, Fasil Tesema Kebede, Urs Ganse, Markus Battarbee, Maarja Bussov, Maxime Dubart, Sanni Hoilijoki, Leo Kotipalo, Konstantinos Papadakis, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Jonas Suni, Vertti Tarvus, Abiyot Workayehu, Hongyang Zhou, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 42, 145–161, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-145-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-145-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Magnetic reconnection is one of the main processes for energy conversion and plasma transport in space plasma physics, associated with plasma entry into the magnetosphere of Earth and Earth’s substorm cycle. Global modelling of these plasma processes enables us to understand the magnetospheric system in detail. However, finding sites of active reconnection from large simulation datasets can be challenging, and this paper develops tools to find magnetic topologies related to reconnection.
Noora Partamies, Bas Dol, Vincent Teissier, Liisa Juusola, Mikko Syrjäsuo, and Hjalmar Mulders
Ann. Geophys., 42, 103–115, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-103-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-103-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Auroral imaging produces large amounts of image data that can no longer be analyzed by visual inspection. Thus, every step towards automatic analysis tools is crucial. Previously supervised learning methods have been used in auroral physics, with a human expert providing ground truth. However, this ground truth is debatable. We present an unsupervised learning method, which shows promising results in detecting auroral breakups in the all-sky image data.
Jonas Suni, Minna Palmroth, Lucile Turc, Markus Battarbee, Giulia Cozzani, Maxime Dubart, Urs Ganse, Harriet George, Evgeny Gordeev, Konstantinos Papadakis, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Vertti Tarvus, Fasil Tesema, and Hongyang Zhou
Ann. Geophys., 41, 551–568, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-551-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-551-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Magnetosheath jets are structures of enhanced plasma density and/or velocity in a region of near-Earth space known as the magnetosheath. When they propagate towards the Earth, these jets can disturb the Earth's magnetic field and cause hazards for satellites. In this study, we use a simulation called Vlasiator to model near-Earth space and investigate jets using case studies and statistical analysis. We find that jets that propagate towards the Earth are different from jets that do not.
Liisa Juusola, Ari Viljanen, Noora Partamies, Heikki Vanhamäki, Mirjam Kellinsalmi, and Simon Walker
Ann. Geophys., 41, 483–510, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-483-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-483-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
At times when auroras erupt on the sky, the magnetic field surrounding the Earth undergoes rapid changes. On the ground, these changes can induce harmful electric currents in technological conductor networks, such as powerlines. We have used magnetic field observations from northern Europe during 28 such events and found consistent behavior that can help to understand, and thus predict, the processes that drive auroras and geomagnetically induced currents.
Liisa Juusola, Ari Viljanen, Andrew P. Dimmock, Mirjam Kellinsalmi, Audrey Schillings, and James M. Weygand
Ann. Geophys., 41, 13–37, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-13-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-13-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We have examined events during which the measured magnetic field on the ground changes very rapidly, causing a risk to technological conductor networks. According to our results, such events occur when strong electric currents in the ionosphere at 100 km altitude are abruptly modified by sudden compression or expansion of the magnetospheric magnetic field farther in space.
Konstantinos Papadakis, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Markus Battarbee, Markku Alho, Maxime Grandin, Maxime Dubart, Lucile Turc, Hongyang Zhou, Konstantinos Horaites, Ivan Zaitsev, Giulia Cozzani, Maarja Bussov, Evgeny Gordeev, Fasil Tesema, Harriet George, Jonas Suni, Vertti Tarvus, and Minna Palmroth
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 7903–7912, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7903-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7903-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Vlasiator is a plasma simulation code that simulates the entire near-Earth space at a global scale. As 6D simulations require enormous amounts of computational resources, Vlasiator uses adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) to lighten the computational burden. However, due to Vlasiator’s grid topology, AMR simulations suffer from grid aliasing artifacts that affect the global results. In this work, we present and evaluate the performance of a mechanism for alleviating those artifacts.
Mirjam Kellinsalmi, Ari Viljanen, Liisa Juusola, and Sebastian Käki
Ann. Geophys., 40, 545–562, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-545-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-545-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Eruptions from the Sun can pose a hazard to Earth's power grids via, e.g., geomagnetically induced currents (GICs). We study magnetic measurements from Fennoscandia to find ways to understand and forecast GIC. We find that the direction of the time derivative of the magnetic field has a short
reset time, about 2 min. We conclude that this result gives insight on the current systems high in Earth’s atmosphere, which are the main driver behind the time derivative’s behavior and GIC formation.
Sebastian Käki, Ari Viljanen, Liisa Juusola, and Kirsti Kauristie
Ann. Geophys., 40, 107–119, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-107-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-107-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
During auroral substorms, the ionospheric electric currents change rapidly, and a large amount of energy is dissipated. We combine ionospheric current data derived from the Swarm satellite mission with the substorm database from the SuperMAG ground magnetometer network. We obtain statistics of the strength and location of the currents relative to the substorm onset. Our results show that low-earth orbit satellites give a coherent picture of the main features in the substorm current system.
Fasil Tesema, Noora Partamies, Daniel K. Whiter, and Yasunobu Ogawa
Ann. Geophys., 40, 1–10, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-1-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-1-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we present the comparison between an auroral model and EISCAT radar electron densities during pulsating aurorae. We test whether an overpassing satellite measurement of the average energy spectrum is a reasonable estimate for pulsating aurora electron precipitation. When patchy pulsating aurora is dominant in the morning sector, the overpass-averaged spectrum is found to be a reasonable estimate – but not when there is a mix of pulsating aurora types in the post-midnight sector.
Vertti Tarvus, Lucile Turc, Markus Battarbee, Jonas Suni, Xóchitl Blanco-Cano, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Markku Alho, Maxime Dubart, Maxime Grandin, Andreas Johlander, Konstantinos Papadakis, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 39, 911–928, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-911-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-911-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We use simulations of Earth's magnetosphere and study the formation of transient wave structures in the region where the solar wind first interacts with the magnetosphere. These transients move earthward and play a part in the solar wind–magnetosphere interaction. We show that the transients are a common feature and their properties are altered as they move earthward, including an increase in temperature, decrease in solar wind speed and an alteration in their propagation properties.
Andrei Runov, Maxime Grandin, Minna Palmroth, Markus Battarbee, Urs Ganse, Heli Hietala, Sanni Hoilijoki, Emilia Kilpua, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Sergio Toledo-Redondo, Lucile Turc, and Drew Turner
Ann. Geophys., 39, 599–612, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-599-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-599-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In collisionless systems like space plasma, particle velocity distributions contain fingerprints of ongoing physical processes. However, it is challenging to decode this information from observations. We used hybrid-Vlasov simulations to obtain ion velocity distribution functions at different locations and at different stages of the Earth's magnetosphere dynamics. The obtained distributions provide valuable examples that may be directly compared with observations by satellites in space.
Minna Palmroth, Savvas Raptis, Jonas Suni, Tomas Karlsson, Lucile Turc, Andreas Johlander, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Xochitl Blanco-Cano, Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, Markus Battarbee, Maxime Dubart, Maxime Grandin, Vertti Tarvus, and Adnane Osmane
Ann. Geophys., 39, 289–308, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-289-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-289-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Magnetosheath jets are high-velocity features within the Earth's turbulent magnetosheath, separating the Earth's magnetic domain from the solar wind. The characteristics of the jets are difficult to assess statistically as a function of their lifetime because normally spacecraft observe them only at one position within the magnetosheath. This study first confirms the accuracy of the model used, Vlasiator, by comparing it to MMS spacecraft, and then carries out the first jet lifetime statistics.
Minna Palmroth, Maxime Grandin, Theodoros Sarris, Eelco Doornbos, Stelios Tourgaidis, Anita Aikio, Stephan Buchert, Mark A. Clilverd, Iannis Dandouras, Roderick Heelis, Alex Hoffmann, Nickolay Ivchenko, Guram Kervalishvili, David J. Knudsen, Anna Kotova, Han-Li Liu, David M. Malaspina, Günther March, Aurélie Marchaudon, Octav Marghitu, Tomoko Matsuo, Wojciech J. Miloch, Therese Moretto-Jørgensen, Dimitris Mpaloukidis, Nils Olsen, Konstantinos Papadakis, Robert Pfaff, Panagiotis Pirnaris, Christian Siemes, Claudia Stolle, Jonas Suni, Jose van den IJssel, Pekka T. Verronen, Pieter Visser, and Masatoshi Yamauchi
Ann. Geophys., 39, 189–237, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-189-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-189-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This is a review paper that summarises the current understanding of the lower thermosphere–ionosphere (LTI) in terms of measurements and modelling. The LTI is the transition region between space and the atmosphere and as such of tremendous importance to both the domains of space and atmosphere. The paper also serves as the background for European Space Agency Earth Explorer 10 candidate mission Daedalus.
Markus Battarbee, Thiago Brito, Markku Alho, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Maxime Grandin, Urs Ganse, Konstantinos Papadakis, Andreas Johlander, Lucile Turc, Maxime Dubart, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 39, 85–103, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-85-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-85-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate local acceleration dynamics of electrons with a new numerical simulation method, which is an extension of a world-leading kinetic plasma simulation. We describe how large supercomputer simulations can be used to initialize the electron simulations and show numerical stability for the electron method. We show that features of our simulated electrons match observations from Earth's magnetic tail region.
Noora Partamies, Fasil Tesema, Emma Bland, Erkka Heino, Hilde Nesse Tyssøy, and Erlend Kallelid
Ann. Geophys., 39, 69–83, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-69-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-69-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
About 200 nights of substorm activity have been analysed for their magnetic disturbance magnitude and the level of cosmic radio noise absorption. We show that substorms with a single expansion phase have limited lifetimes and spatial extents. Starting from magnetically quiet conditions, the strongest absorption occurs after 1 to 2 nights of substorm activity. This prolonged activity is thus required to accelerate particles to energies, which may affect the atmospheric chemistry.
Maxime Dubart, Urs Ganse, Adnane Osmane, Andreas Johlander, Markus Battarbee, Maxime Grandin, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Lucile Turc, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 38, 1283–1298, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1283-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1283-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Plasma waves are ubiquitous in the Earth's magnetosphere. They are responsible for many energetic processes happening in Earth's atmosphere, such as auroras. In order to understand these processes, thorough investigations of these waves are needed. We use a state-of-the-art numerical model to do so. Here we investigate the impact of different spatial resolutions in the model on these waves in order to improve in the future the model without wasting computational resources.
Fasil Tesema, Noora Partamies, Hilde Nesse Tyssøy, and Derek McKay
Ann. Geophys., 38, 1191–1202, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1191-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1191-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we present the ionization level from EISCAT radar experiments and cosmic noise absorption level
from KAIRA riometer observations during pulsating auroras. We found thick layers of ionization that reach down
to 70 km (harder precipitation) and higher cosmic noise absorption during patchy pulsating aurora than
during amorphous pulsating and patchy auroras.
Markus Battarbee, Xóchitl Blanco-Cano, Lucile Turc, Primož Kajdič, Andreas Johlander, Vertti Tarvus, Stephen Fuselier, Karlheinz Trattner, Markku Alho, Thiago Brito, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, Tomas Karlsson, Savvas Raptis, Maxime Dubart, Maxime Grandin, Jonas Suni, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 38, 1081–1099, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1081-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1081-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the dynamics of helium in the foreshock, a part of near-Earth space found upstream of the Earth's bow shock. We show how the second most common ion in interplanetary space reacts strongly to plasma waves found in the foreshock. Spacecraft observations and supercomputer simulations both give us a new understanding of the foreshock edge and how to interpret future observations.
Lucile Turc, Vertti Tarvus, Andrew P. Dimmock, Markus Battarbee, Urs Ganse, Andreas Johlander, Maxime Grandin, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Maxime Dubart, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 38, 1045–1062, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1045-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1045-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Using global computer simulations, we study properties of the magnetosheath, the region of near-Earth space where the stream of particles originating from the Sun, the solar wind, is slowed down and deflected around the Earth's magnetic field. One of our main findings is that even for idealised solar wind conditions as used in our model, the magnetosheath density shows large-scale spatial and temporal variation in the so-called quasi-parallel magnetosheath, causing varying levels of asymmetry.
Liisa Juusola, Heikki Vanhamäki, Ari Viljanen, and Maxim Smirnov
Ann. Geophys., 38, 983–998, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-983-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-983-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Rapid variations of the magnetic field measured on the ground can be used to estimate space weather risks to power grids, but forecasting the variations remains a challenge. We show that part of this problem stems from the fact that, in addition to electric currents in space, the magnetic field variations are strongly affected by underground electric currents. We suggest that separating the measured field into its space and underground parts could improve our understanding of space weather.
Harriet George, Emilia Kilpua, Adnane Osmane, Timo Asikainen, Milla M. H. Kalliokoski, Craig J. Rodger, Stepan Dubyagin, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 38, 931–951, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-931-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-931-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We compared trapped outer radiation belt electron fluxes to high-latitude precipitating electron fluxes during two interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) with opposite magnetic cloud rotation. The electron response had many similarities and differences between the two events, indicating that different acceleration mechanisms acted. Van Allen Probe data were used for trapped electron flux measurements, and Polar Operational Environmental Satellites were used for precipitating flux data.
Milla M. H. Kalliokoski, Emilia K. J. Kilpua, Adnane Osmane, Drew L. Turner, Allison N. Jaynes, Lucile Turc, Harriet George, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 38, 683–701, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-683-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-683-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We present a comprehensive statistical study of the response of the Earth's space environment in sheath regions prior to interplanetary coronal mass ejections. The inner magnetospheric wave activity is enhanced in sheath regions, and the sheaths cause significant changes to the outer radiation belt electron fluxes over short timescales. We also show that non-geoeffective sheaths can result in a significant response.
Markus Battarbee, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Lucile Turc, Thiago Brito, Maxime Grandin, Tuomas Koskela, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 38, 625–643, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-625-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-625-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The structure and medium-scale dynamics of Earth's bow shock and how charged solar wind particles are reflected by it are studied in order to better understand space weather effects. We use advanced supercomputer simulations to model the shock and reflected ions. We find that the thickness of the shock depends on solar wind conditions but also has small-scale variations. Charged particle reflection is shown to be non-localized. Magnetic fields are important for ion reflection.
Theodoros E. Sarris, Elsayed R. Talaat, Minna Palmroth, Iannis Dandouras, Errico Armandillo, Guram Kervalishvili, Stephan Buchert, Stylianos Tourgaidis, David M. Malaspina, Allison N. Jaynes, Nikolaos Paschalidis, John Sample, Jasper Halekas, Eelco Doornbos, Vaios Lappas, Therese Moretto Jørgensen, Claudia Stolle, Mark Clilverd, Qian Wu, Ingmar Sandberg, Panagiotis Pirnaris, and Anita Aikio
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 9, 153–191, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-9-153-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-9-153-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Daedalus aims to measure the largely unexplored area between Eart's atmosphere and space, the Earth's
ignorosphere. Here, intriguing and complex processes govern the deposition and transport of energy. The aim is to quantify this energy by measuring effects caused by electrodynamic processes in this region. The concept is based on a mother satellite that carries a suite of instruments, along with smaller satellites carrying a subset of instruments that are released into the atmosphere.
Emilia Kilpua, Liisa Juusola, Maxime Grandin, Antti Kero, Stepan Dubyagin, Noora Partamies, Adnane Osmane, Harriet George, Milla Kalliokoski, Tero Raita, Timo Asikainen, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 38, 557–574, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-557-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-557-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Coronal mass ejection sheaths and ejecta are key drivers of significant space weather storms, and they cause dramatic changes in radiation belt electron fluxes. Differences in precipitation of high-energy electrons from the belts to the upper atmosphere are thus expected. We investigate here differences in sheath- and ejecta-induced precipitation using the Finnish riometer (relative ionospheric opacity meter) chain.
Maxime Grandin, Markus Battarbee, Adnane Osmane, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Lucile Turc, Thiago Brito, Tuomas Koskela, Maxime Dubart, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 37, 791–806, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-791-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-791-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
When the terrestrial magnetic field is disturbed, particles from the near-Earth space can precipitate into the upper atmosphere. This work presents, for the first time, numerical simulations of proton precipitation in the energy range associated with the production of aurora (∼1–30 keV) using a global kinetic model of the near-Earth space: Vlasiator. We find that nightside proton precipitation can be regulated by the transition region between stretched and dipolar geomagnetic field lines.
Antti Lakka, Tuija I. Pulkkinen, Andrew P. Dimmock, Emilia Kilpua, Matti Ala-Lahti, Ilja Honkonen, Minna Palmroth, and Osku Raukunen
Ann. Geophys., 37, 561–579, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-561-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-561-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We study how the Earth's space environment responds to two different amplitude interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) events that occurred in 2012 and 2014 by using the GUMICS-4 global MHD model. We examine local and large-scale dynamics of the Earth's space environment and compare simulation results to in situ data. It is shown that during moderate driving simulation agrees well with the measurements; however, GMHD results should be interpreted cautiously during strong driving.
Liisa Juusola, Sanni Hoilijoki, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Riku Jarvinen, Markus Battarbee, Emilia Kilpua, Lucile Turc, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 36, 1183–1199, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1183-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1183-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The solar wind interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field, forming a magnetosphere. On the night side solar wind stretches the magnetosphere into a long tail. A process called magnetic reconnection opens the magnetic field lines and reconnects them, accelerating particles to high energies. We study this in the magnetotail using a numerical simulation model of the Earth’s magnetosphere. We study the motion of the points where field lines reconnect and the fast flows driven by this process.
Minna Palmroth, Heli Hietala, Ferdinand Plaschke, Martin Archer, Tomas Karlsson, Xóchitl Blanco-Cano, David Sibeck, Primož Kajdič, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Markus Battarbee, and Lucile Turc
Ann. Geophys., 36, 1171–1182, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1171-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1171-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Magnetosheath jets are high-velocity plasma structures that are commonly observed within the Earth's magnetosheath. Previously, they have mainly been investigated with spacecraft observations, which do not allow us to infer their spatial sizes, temporal evolution, or origin. This paper shows for the first time their dimensions, evolution, and origins within a simulation whose dimensions are directly comparable to the Earth's magnetosphere. The results are compared to previous observations.
Xochitl Blanco-Cano, Markus Battarbee, Lucile Turc, Andrew P. Dimmock, Emilia K. J. Kilpua, Sanni Hoilijoki, Urs Ganse, David G. Sibeck, Paul A. Cassak, Robert C. Fear, Riku Jarvinen, Liisa Juusola, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Rami Vainio, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 36, 1081–1097, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1081-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1081-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We use the Vlasiator code to study the characteristics of transient structures that exist in the Earth's foreshock, i.e. upstream of the bow shock. The structures are cavitons and spontaneous hot flow anomalies (SHFAs). These transients can interact with the bow shock. We study the changes the shock suffers via this interaction. We also investigate ion distributions associated with the cavitons and SHFAs. A very important result is that the arrival of multiple SHFAs results in shock erosion.
Liisa Juusola, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Markus Battarbee, Thiago Brito, Maxime Grandin, Lucile Turc, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 36, 1027–1035, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1027-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1027-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The Earth's magnetic field is shaped by the solar wind. On the dayside the field is compressed and on the nightside it is stretched as a long tail. The tail has been observed to occasionally undergo flapping motions, but the origin of these motions is not understood. We study the flapping using a numerical simulation of the near-Earth space. We present a possible explanation for how the flapping could be initiated by a passing disturbance and then maintained as a standing wave.
Rafael L. A. Mesquita, John W. Meriwether, Jonathan J. Makela, Daniel J. Fisher, Brian J. Harding, Samuel C. Sanders, Fasil Tesema, and Aaron J. Ridley
Ann. Geophys., 36, 541–553, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-541-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-541-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The midnight temperature maximum (MTM) is a phenomenon resulting from the constructive interference of the atmospheric tides. This paper brings the analysis of a long data set (846 nights) from the NATION network along with new analysis techniques (harmonic background removal and 2-D temperature interpolation) to detect the MTM in the mid-latitude range.
Minna Palmroth, Sanni Hoilijoki, Liisa Juusola, Tuija I. Pulkkinen, Heli Hietala, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Sebastian von Alfthan, Rami Vainio, and Michael Hesse
Ann. Geophys., 35, 1269–1274, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-1269-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-1269-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Much like solar flares, substorms occurring within the Earth's magnetic domain are explosive events that cause vivid auroral displays. A decades-long debate exists to explain the substorm onset. We devise a simulation encompassing the entire near-Earth space and demonstrate that detailed modelling of magnetic reconnection explains the central substorm observations. Our results help to understand the unpredictable substorm process, which will significantly improve space weather forecasts.
Noora Partamies, James M. Weygand, and Liisa Juusola
Ann. Geophys., 35, 1069–1083, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-1069-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-1069-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Large-scale undulations of the diffuse aurora boundary, auroral omega bands, have been studied based on 438 omega-like structures identified over Fennoscandian Lapland from 1996 to 2007. The omegas mainly occurred in the post-magnetic midnight sector, in the region between oppositely directed ionospheric field-aligned currents, and during substorm recovery phases. The omega bands were observed during substorms, which were more intense than the average substorm in the same region.
Antti Lakka, Tuija I. Pulkkinen, Andrew P. Dimmock, Adnane Osmane, Ilja Honkonen, Minna Palmroth, and Pekka Janhunen
Ann. Geophys., 35, 907–922, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-907-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-907-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the impact on global MHD simulations from different simulation initialisation methods. While the global MHD code used is GUMICS-4 we conclude that the results might be generalisable to other codes as well. It is found that different initialisation methods affect the dynamics of the Earth's space environment by creating differences in momentum transport several hours afterwards. These differences may even grow as a response to rapid solar wind condition changes.
Fasil Tesema, Rafael Mesquita, John Meriwether, Baylie Damtie, Melessew Nigussie, Jonathan Makela, Daniel Fisher, Brian Harding, Endawoke Yizengaw, and Samuel Sanders
Ann. Geophys., 35, 333–344, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-333-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-333-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Measurements of equatorial thermospheric winds obtained from an optical instrument called a Fabry–Perot interferometer in Ethiopia show a significance difference as compared with other longitudinal sectors. The zonal wind in this sector is small and shows a gradual decrease through out the night. Application of climatological wind and temperature models shows good agreement with the observations over Ethiopia.
Yann Pfau-Kempf, Heli Hietala, Steve E. Milan, Liisa Juusola, Sanni Hoilijoki, Urs Ganse, Sebastian von Alfthan, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 34, 943–959, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-34-943-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-34-943-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
We have simulated the interaction of the solar wind – the charged particles and magnetic fields emitted by the Sun into space – with the magnetic field of the Earth. The solar wind flows supersonically and creates a shock when it encounters the obstacle formed by the geomagnetic field. We have identified a new chain of events which causes phenomena in the downstream region to eventually cause perturbations at the shock and even upstream. This is confirmed by ground and satellite observations.
Johannes Norberg, Lassi Roininen, Antti Kero, Tero Raita, Thomas Ulich, Markku Markkanen, Liisa Juusola, and Kirsti Kauristie
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 5, 263–270, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-263-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-263-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory has been producing ionospheric tomography data since 2003. Based on these data, one solar cycle of ionospheric vertical total electron content (VTEC) estimates is constructed. The measurements are compared against the IRI-2012 model, F10.7 solar flux index and sunspot number data. Qualitatively the tomographic VTEC estimate corresponds to reference data very well, but the IRI-2012 model are on average 40 % higher of that of the tomographic results.
Kirsti Kauristie, Minna Myllys, Noora Partamies, Ari Viljanen, Pyry Peitso, Liisa Juusola, Shabana Ahmadzai, Vikramjit Singh, Ralf Keil, Unai Martinez, Alexej Luginin, Alexi Glover, Vicente Navarro, and Tero Raita
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 5, 253–262, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-253-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-253-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
We use the connection between auroras and geomagnetic field variations in a concept for a Regional Auroral Forecast (RAF) service. RAF is based on statistical relationships between alerts by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center and magnetic time derivatives measured by five MIRACLE magnetometer stations located in the surroundings of the Sodankylä research station. As an improvement to previous similar services RAF yields knowledge on typical auroral storm durations at different latitudes.
M. Myllys, N. Partamies, and L. Juusola
Ann. Geophys., 33, 573–581, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-573-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-573-2015, 2015
P. T. Verronen, M. E. Andersson, A. Kero, C.-F. Enell, J. M. Wissing, E. R. Talaat, K. Kauristie, M. Palmroth, T. E. Sarris, and E. Armandillo
Ann. Geophys., 33, 381–394, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-381-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-381-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Electron concentrations observed by EISCAT radars can be reasonable well represented using AIMOS v1.2 satellite-data-based ionization model and SIC D-region ion chemistry model. SIC-EISCAT difference varies from event to event, probably because the statistical nature of AIMOS ionization is not capturing all the spatio-temporal fine structure of electron precipitation. Below 90km, AIMOS overestimates electron ionization because of proton contamination of the satellite electron detectors.
K. Andréeová, L. Juusola, E. K. J. Kilpua, and H. E. J. Koskinen
Ann. Geophys., 32, 1293–1302, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-32-1293-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-32-1293-2014, 2014
D. Pokhotelov, S. von Alfthan, Y. Kempf, R. Vainio, H. E. J. Koskinen, and M. Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 31, 2207–2212, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-2207-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-2207-2013, 2013
A. T. Aikio, T. Pitkänen, I. Honkonen, M. Palmroth, and O. Amm
Ann. Geophys., 31, 1021–1034, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-1021-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-1021-2013, 2013
N. Partamies, L. Juusola, E. Tanskanen, and K. Kauristie
Ann. Geophys., 31, 349–358, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-349-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-349-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Solar-terrestrial science
Physics-motivated cell-octree adaptive mesh refinement in the Vlasiator 5.3 global hybrid-Vlasov code
New routine NLTE15µmCool-E v1.0 for calculating the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) CO2 15 µm cooling in general circulation models (GCMs) of Earth's atmosphere
Daily INSOLation (DINSOL-v1.0): an intuitive tool for classrooms and specifying solar radiation boundary conditions
SSolar-GOA v1.0: a simple, fast, and accurate Spectral SOLAR radiative transfer model for clear skies
Application of CCM SOCOL-AERv2-BE to cosmogenic beryllium isotopes: description and validation for polar regions
UBER v1.0: a universal kinetic equation solver for radiation belts
Azimuthal averaging–reconstruction filtering techniques for finite-difference general circulation models in spherical geometry
Improved forecasting of thermospheric densities using multi-model ensembles
Accounting for anthropic energy flux of traffic in winter urban road surface temperature simulations with the TEB model
Calculations of the integral invariant coordinates I and L* in the magnetosphere and mapping of the regions where I is conserved, using a particle tracer (ptr3D v2.0), LANL*, SPENVIS, and IRBEM
A simple parameterization of the short-wave aerosol optical properties for surface direct and diffuse irradiances assessment in a numerical weather model
Verification of SpacePy's radial diffusion radiation belt model
LANL*V2.0: global modeling and validation
Leo Kotipalo, Markus Battarbee, Yann Pfau-Kempf, and Minna Palmroth
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 6401–6413, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-6401-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-6401-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This paper examines a method called adaptive mesh refinement in optimization of the space plasma simulation model Vlasiator. The method locally adjusts resolution in regions which are most relevant to modelling, based on the properties of the plasma. The runs testing this method show that adaptive refinement manages to highlight the desired regions with manageable performance overhead. Performance in larger-scale production runs and mitigation of overhead are avenues of further research.
Alexander Kutepov and Artem Feofilov
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 5331–5347, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-5331-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-5331-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Infrared CO2 cooling of the middle and upper atmosphere is increasing. We developed a new routine for very fast and accurate calculations of this cooling in general circulation models. The new algorithm accounts for non-local thermodynamic equilibrium and is about 1000 times faster than the standard matrix algorithms. It is based on advanced techniques for non-equilibrium emission calculations in stellar atmospheres, which so far have not been used in Earth’s and planetary atmospheres.
Emerson D. Oliveira
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 2371–2390, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2371-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2371-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Based on the Milankovitch cycle theory, the Daily INSOLation (DINSOL-v1.0) program simulates the incoming solar radiation at the top of the atmosphere, such as the PMIP boundary conditions. Still, users can simulate hypothetical cases by freely setting the Earth's orbital parameters. The program is recommended for educational purposes (from a user-friendly interface) or to prepare data for simplified climate models (from command lines). The program is supported on Linux and Windows.
Victoria Eugenia Cachorro, Juan Carlos Antuña-Sanchez, and Ángel Máximo de Frutos
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 1689–1712, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-1689-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-1689-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This work describes the features of a simple, fast, accurate, and physically based spectral radiative transfer model (SSolar-GOA) in the solar wavelength range under clear skies. The model is intended for a wide community of users for many different applications, was designed to be easily replicated, and has sufficient accuracy. The validation of the model was carried out through extensive comparison with simulated spectra from the LibRadtran and with direct and global spectral measurements.
Kseniia Golubenko, Eugene Rozanov, Gennady Kovaltsov, Ari-Pekka Leppänen, Timofei Sukhodolov, and Ilya Usoskin
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 7605–7620, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-7605-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-7605-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A new full 3-D time-dependent model, based on SOCOL-AERv2, of beryllium atmospheric production, transport, and deposition has been developed and validated using directly measured data. The model is recommended to be used in studies related to, e.g., atmospheric dynamical patterns, extreme solar particle storms, long-term solar activity reconstruction from cosmogenic proxy data, and solar–terrestrial relations.
Liheng Zheng, Lunjin Chen, Anthony A. Chan, Peng Wang, Zhiyang Xia, and Xu Liu
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 5825–5842, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5825-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5825-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Earth’s Van Allen belts are studied by solving particular kinds of equations that could be notoriously difficult when different physical processes are acting together. In this article, we describe a numerical code that can solve these equations with unprecedented freedom from the numerous restrictions of existing models, even the ones that no other can solve. The abilities of our code could mean a breakthrough in Van Allen belt studies from the diffusive into the non-diffusive transport regime.
Tong Dang, Binzheng Zhang, Jiuhou Lei, Wenbin Wang, Alan Burns, Han-li Liu, Kevin Pham, and Kareem A. Sorathia
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 859–873, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-859-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-859-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This paper describes a numerical treatment (ring average) to relax the time step in finite-difference schemes when using spherical and cylindrical coordinates with axis singularities. The ring average is used to develop a high-resolution thermosphere–ionosphere coupled community model. The technique is a significant improvement in space weather modeling capability, and it can also be adapted to more general finite-difference solvers for hyperbolic equations in spherical and polar geometries.
Sean Elvidge, Humberto C. Godinez, and Matthew J. Angling
Geosci. Model Dev., 9, 2279–2292, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-9-2279-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-9-2279-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents the first known application of multi-model ensembles to the forecasting of the thermosphere. A multi-model ensemble (MME) is a method for combining different, independent models. The main advantage of using an MME is to reduce the effect of model errors and bias, since it is expected that the model errors will, at least partly, cancel. This paper shows that use of MMEs for forecasting thermospheric densities can reduce errors by 60 %.
A. Khalifa, M. Marchetti, L. Bouilloud, E. Martin, M. Bues, and K. Chancibaut
Geosci. Model Dev., 9, 547–565, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-9-547-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-9-547-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
An experimental study was conducted to quantify the anthropic energy flux of traffic impact on RST in the winter season. It indicated an RST increase by 1 °C to 3 °C with respect to the absence of traffic. Additional work was undertaken so as to evaluate to which extent an accurate description of traffic might improve the TEB numerical model when dedicated to RST simulations. Two approaches to traffic integration in this model were detailed and tested.
K. Konstantinidis and T. Sarris
Geosci. Model Dev., 8, 2967–2975, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-8-2967-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-8-2967-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
The 2nd & 3rd adiabatic invariants (in particular their proxies I & L*) are commonly used to characterize charged particle motion in a magnetic field. However care should be taken when calculating them, as the assumption of their conservation is not valid everywhere in the Earth’s magnetosphere. In this paper we compare calculations of I and L* using LANLstar, SPENVIS, IRBEM and a 3D particle tracer, and we map the areas in the Earth’s magnetosphere where I & L* can be assumed to be conserved.
J. A. Ruiz-Arias, J. Dudhia, and C. A. Gueymard
Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 1159–1174, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-1159-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-1159-2014, 2014
D. T. Welling, J. Koller, and E. Camporeale
Geosci. Model Dev., 5, 277–287, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-5-277-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-5-277-2012, 2012
J. Koller and S. Zaharia
Geosci. Model Dev., 4, 669–675, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-4-669-2011, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-4-669-2011, 2011
Cited articles
Ahn, B., Akasofu, S., and Kamide, Y.: The Joule heat production rate and the particle energy injection rate as a function of the geomagnetic indices AE and AL, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 88, 6275–6287, https://doi.org/10.1029/ja088ia08p06275, 1983. a
Balsara, D. S.: Higher-order accurate space-time schemes for computational astrophysics – Part I: finite volume methods, Living Reviews in Computational Astrophysics, 3, 2, https://doi.org/10.1007/s41115-017-0002-8, 2017. a, b
Battarbee, M., Hannuksela, O. A., Pfau-Kempf, Y., von Alfthan, S., Ganse, U., Jarvinen, R., Kotipalo, L., Suni, J., Alho, M., Turc, L., Honkonen, I., Brito, T., and Grandin, M.: Analysator: python analysis toolkit, Zenodo [code], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4462515, 2021. a
Billett, D. D., Grocott, A., Wild, J. A., Walach, M. T., and Kosch, M. J.: Diurnal Variations in Global Joule Heating Morphology and Magnitude Due To Neutral Winds, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 123, 2398–2411, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JA025141, 2018. a
Chartier, A. T., Steele, J., Sugar, G., Themens, D. R., Vines, S. K., and Huba, J. D.: Validating Ionospheric Models Against Technologically Relevant Metrics, Space Weather, 21, e2023SW003590, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023SW003590, 2023. a
Chen, Y., Tóth, G., Hietala, H., Vines, S. K., Zou, Y., Nishimura, Y., Silveira, M. V. D., Guo, Z., Lin, Y., and Markidis, S.: Magnetohydrodynamic With Embedded Particle-In-Cell Simulation of the Geospace Environment Modeling Dayside Kinetic Processes Challenge Event, Earth Space Sci., 7, e2020EA001331, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020EA001331, 2020. a
Codrescu, M. V., Negrea, C., Fedrizzi, M., Fuller‐Rowell, T. J., Dobin, A., Jakowsky, N., Khalsa, H., Matsuo, T., and Maruyama, N.: A real‐time run of the Coupled Thermosphere Ionosphere Plasmasphere Electrodynamics (CTIPe) model, Space Weather, 10, S02001, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011sw000736, 2012. a
Ergun, R. E., Carlson, C. W., McFadden, J. P., Mozer, F. S., and Strangeway, R. J.: parallel electric fields in discrete arcs, Geophys. Res. Lett., 27, 4053–4056, https://doi.org/10.1029/2000gl003819, 2000. a
Ern, A. and Guermond, J.-L.: Theory and Practice of Finite Elements, vol. 159 of Applied Mathematical Sciences, Springer, New York, ISBN 978-0-387-20574-8, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4355-5, 2004. a, b
Fang, X., Lummerzheim, D., and Jackman, C. H.: Proton impact ionization and a fast calculation method, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 118, 5369–5378, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgra.50484, 2013. a
Ganse, U., Koskela, T., Battarbee, M., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Papadakis, K., Alho, M., Bussov, M., Cozzani, G., Dubart, M., George, H., Gordeev, E., Grandin, M., Horaites, K., Suni, J., Tarvus, V., Kebede, F. T., Turc, L., Zhou, H., and Palmroth, M.: Enabling technology for global 3D + 3V hybrid-Vlasov simulations of near-Earth space, Phys. Plasmas, 30, 042902, https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0134387, 2023. a, b
Gombosi, T. I., Chen, Y., Glocer, A., Huang, Z., Jia, X., Liemohn, M. W., Manchester, W. B., Pulkkinen, T., Sachdeva, N., Al Shidi, Q., Sokolov, I. V., Szente, J., Tenishev, V., Toth, G., van der Holst, B., Welling, D. T., Zhao, L., and Zou, S.: What sustained multi-disciplinary research can achieve: The space weather modeling framework, J. Space Weather Spac., 11, 42, https://doi.org/10.1051/swsc/2021020, 2021. a, b
Goodman, M. L.: A three-dimensional, iterative mapping procedure for the implementation of an ionosphere-magnetosphere anisotropic Ohm's law boundary condition in global magnetohydrodynamic simulations, Ann. Geophys., 13, 843–853, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00585-995-0843-z, 1995. a
Gordeev, E., Facskó, G., Sergeev, V., Honkonen, I., Palmroth, M., Janhunen, P., and Milan, S.: Verification of the GUMICS-4 global MHD code using empirical relationships, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 118, 3138–3146, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgra.50359, 2013. a
Gordeev, E. I., Sergeev, V. A., Pulkkinen, T. I., and Palmroth, M.: Contribution of magnetotail reconnection to the cross-polar cap electric potential drop, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 116, A08219, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JA016609, 2011. a
Grandin, M., Battarbee, M., Osmane, A., Ganse, U., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Turc, L., Brito, T., Koskela, T., Dubart, M., and Palmroth, M.: Hybrid-Vlasov modelling of nightside auroral proton precipitation during southward interplanetary magnetic field conditions, Ann. Geophys., 37, 791–806, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-791-2019, 2019. a, b
Grandin, M., Turc, L., Battarbee, M., Ganse, U., Johlander, A., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Dubart, M., and Palmroth, M.: Hybrid-Vlasov simulation of auroral proton precipitation in the cusps: Comparison of northward and southward interplanetary magnetic field driving, J. Space Weather Spac., 10, 51, https://doi.org/10.1051/swsc/2020053, 2020. a
Grandin, M., Luttikhuis, T., Battarbee, M., Cozzani, G., Zhou, H., Turc, L., Pfau-Kempf, Y., George, H., Horaites, K., Gordeev, E., Ganse, U., Papadakis, K., Alho, M., Tesema, F., Suni, J., Dubart, M., Tarvus, V., and Palmroth, M.: First 3D hybrid-Vlasov global simulation of auroral proton precipitation and comparison with satellite observations, J. Space Weather Spac., 13, 20, https://doi.org/10.1051/swsc/2023017, 2023. a
Grandin, M., Connor, H. K., Hoilijoki, S., Battarbee, M., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Ganse, U., Papadakis, K., and Palmroth, M.: Hybrid-Vlasov simulation of soft X-ray emissions at the Earth's dayside magnetospheric boundaries, Earth Planet. Phys., 8, 70–88, https://doi.org/10.26464/epp2023052, 2024. a
Horaites, K., Rintamäki, E., Zaitsev, I., Turc, L., Grandin, M., Cozzani, G., Zhou, H., Alho, M., Suni, J., Kebede, F., Gordeev, E., George, H., Battarbee, M., Bussov, M., Dubart, M., Ganse, U., Papadakis, K., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Tarvus, V., and Palmroth, M.: Magnetospheric Response to a Pressure Pulse in a Three-dimensional Hybrid-Vlasov Simulation, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 128, e2023JA031374, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023ja031374, 2023. a
Iijima, T. and Potemra, T. A.: Field-aligned currents in the dayside cusp observed by Triad, J. Geophys. Res., 81, 5971–5979, https://doi.org/10.1029/ja081i034p05971, 1976a. a, b
Iijima, T. and Potemra, T. A.: The amplitude distribution of field-aligned currents at northern high latitudes observed by Triad, J. Geophys. Res., 81, 2165–2174, https://doi.org/10.1029/ja081i013p02165, 1976b. a, b
Juusola, L., Hoilijoki, S., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Ganse, U., Jarvinen, R., Battarbee, M., Kilpua, E., Turc, L., and Palmroth, M.: Fast plasma sheet flows and X line motion in the Earth's magnetotail: results from a global hybrid-Vlasov simulation, Ann. Geophys., 36, 1183–1199, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1183-2018, 2018. a
Keinert, B., Innmann, M., Sänger, M., and Stamminger, M.: Spherical fibonacci mapping, ACM Transactions on Graphics, 34, 1–7, https://doi.org/10.1145/2816795.2818131, 2015. a
Knight, S.: Parallel electric fields, Planet. Space Sci., 21, 741–750, https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-0633(73)90093-7, 1973. a
Laundal, K. M., Reistad, J. P., Hatch, S. M., Madelaire, M., Walker, S., Hovland, A. O., Ohma, A., Merkin, V. G., and Sorathia, K. A.: Local Mapping of Polar Ionospheric Electrodynamics, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 127, e2022JA030356, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022ja030356, 2022. a
Lin, D., Sorathia, K., Wang, W., Merkin, V., Bao, S., Pham, K., Wiltberger, M., Shi, X., Toffoletto, F., Michael, A., Lyon, J., Garretson, J., and Anderson, B.: The Role of Diffuse Electron Precipitation in the Formation of Subauroral Polarization Streams, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 126, e2021JA029792, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021ja029792, 2021. a, b, c
Lin, Y., Wang, X. Y., Lu, S., Perez, J. D., and Lu, Q.: Investigation of storm time magnetotail and ion injection using three‐dimensional global hybrid simulation, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 119, 7413–7432, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014ja020005, 2014. a, b
Marchaudon, A. and Blelly, P.: A new interhemispheric 16‐moment model of the plasmasphere‐ionosphere system: IPIM, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 120, 5728–5745, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015ja021193, 2015. a
Marshalko, E., Kruglyakov, M., Kuvshinov, A., and Viljanen, A.: Three-Dimensional Modeling of the Ground Electric Field in Fennoscandia During the Halloween Geomagnetic Storm, Space Weather, 21, e2022SW003370, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022SW003370, 2023. a
Maus, S.: A corotation electric field model of the Earth derived from Swarm satellite magnetic field measurements, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 122, 8733–8754, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JA024221, 2017. a, b
Moen, J. and Brekke, A.: The solar flux influence on quiet time conductances in the auroral ionosphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 20, 971–974, https://doi.org/10.1029/92GL02109, 1993. a
Nishikawa, K., Duţan, I., Köhn, C., and Mizuno, Y.: PIC methods in astrophysics: simulations of relativistic jets and kinetic physics in astrophysical systems, Living Reviews in Computational Astrophysics, 7, 1, https://doi.org/10.1007/s41115-021-00012-0, 2021. a
Palmroth, M.: Daring to think of the impossible: The story of Vlasiator, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 9, https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2022.952248, 2022. a
Palmroth, M. and the Vlasiator Team: Vlasiator 5.2, Zenodo [code], https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.6628655, 2022. a
Palmroth, M. and the Vlasiator Team: Vlasiator: Hybrid-Vlasov Simulation Code, Zenodo [code], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3640593, 2024. a
Palmroth, M., Pulkkinen, T. I., Janhunen, P., McComas, D. J., Smith, C. W., and Koskinen, H. E. J.: Role of solar wind dynamic pressure in driving ionospheric Joule heating, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 109, A11302, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004ja010529, 2004. a
Palmroth, M., Janhunen, P., Germany, G., Lummerzheim, D., Liou, K., Baker, D. N., Barth, C., Weatherwax, A. T., and Watermann, J.: Precipitation and total power consumption in the ionosphere: Global MHD simulation results compared with Polar and SNOE observations, Ann. Geophys., 24, 861–872, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-24-861-2006, 2006. a, b
Palmroth, M., Hoilijoki, S., Juusola, L., Pulkkinen, T. I., Hietala, H., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Ganse, U., von Alfthan, S., Vainio, R., and Hesse, M.: Tail reconnection in the global magnetospheric context: Vlasiator first results, Ann. Geophys., 35, 1269–1274, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-1269-2017, 2017. a
Palmroth, M., Ganse, U., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Battarbee, M., Turc, L., Brito, T., Grandin, M., Hoilijoki, S., Sandroos, A., and von Alfthan, S.: Vlasov methods in space physics and astrophysics, Living Reviews in Computational Astrophysics, 4, 1, https://doi.org/10.1007/s41115-018-0003-2, 2018. a, b, c, d, e
Palmroth, M., Grandin, M., Sarris, T., Doornbos, E., Tourgaidis, S., Aikio, A., Buchert, S., Clilverd, M. A., Dandouras, I., Heelis, R., Hoffmann, A., Ivchenko, N., Kervalishvili, G., Knudsen, D. J., Kotova, A., Liu, H.-L., Malaspina, D. M., March, G., Marchaudon, A., Marghitu, O., Matsuo, T., Miloch, W. J., Moretto-Jørgensen, T., Mpaloukidis, D., Olsen, N., Papadakis, K., Pfaff, R., Pirnaris, P., Siemes, C., Stolle, C., Suni, J., van den IJssel, J., Verronen, P. T., Visser, P., and Yamauchi, M.: Lower-thermosphere–ionosphere (LTI) quantities: current status of measuring techniques and models, Ann. Geophys., 39, 189–237, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-189-2021, 2021. a, b
Palmroth, M., Pulkkinen, T. I., Ganse, U., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Koskela, T., Zaitsev, I., Alho, M., Cozzani, G., Turc, L., Battarbee, M., Dubart, M., George, H., Gordeev, E., Grandin, M., Horaites, K., Osmane, A., Papadakis, K., Suni, J., Tarvus, V., Zhou, H., and Nakamura, R.: Magnetotail plasma eruptions driven by magnetic reconnection and kinetic instabilities, Nat. Geosci., 16, 570–576, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01206-2, 2023. a, b, c, d
Papadakis, K., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Ganse, U., Battarbee, M., Alho, M., Grandin, M., Dubart, M., Turc, L., Zhou, H., Horaites, K., Zaitsev, I., Cozzani, G., Bussov, M., Gordeev, E., Tesema, F., George, H., Suni, J., Tarvus, V., and Palmroth, M.: Spatial filtering in a 6D hybrid-Vlasov scheme to alleviate adaptive mesh refinement artifacts: a case study with Vlasiator (versions 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2.1), Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 7903–7912, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7903-2022, 2022. a
Paul, A., Strugarek, A., and Vaidya, B.: Global‐MHD Simulations Using MagPIE: Impact of Flux Transfer Events on the Ionosphere, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 128, e2023JA031718, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023ja031718, 2023. a, b, c, d
Picone, J. M., Hedin, A. E., Drob, D. P., and Aikin, A. C.: NRLMSISE-00 empirical model of the atmosphere: Statistical comparisons and scientific issues, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 107, SIA 15–1–SIA 15–16, https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JA009430, 2002. a
Pulkkinen, T.: Space Weather: Terrestrial Perspective, Living Reviews in Solar Physics, 4, 1, https://doi.org/10.12942/lrsp-2007-1, 2007. a
Qian, L., Burns, A. G., Emery, B. A., Foster, B., Lu, G., Maute, A., Richmond, A. D., Roble, R. G., Solomon, S. C., and Wang, W.: The NCAR TIE-GCM, chap. 7, pp. 73–83, American Geophysical Union (AGU), ISBN 9781118704417, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118704417.ch7, 2014. a
Rees, M. H.: Auroral ionization and excitation by incident energetic electrons, Planet. Space Sci., 11, 1209–1218, https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-0633(63)90252-6, 1963. a
Ridley, A. J., Hansen, K. C., Tóth, G., De Zeeuw, D. L., Gombosi, T. I., and Powell, K. G.: University of Michigan MHD results of the Geospace Global Circulation Model metrics challenge, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 107, SMP 12-1–SMP 12-19, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001ja000253, 2002. a
Ridley, A. J., Gombosi, T. I., and DeZeeuw, D. L.: Ionospheric control of the magnetosphere: conductance, Ann. Geophys., 22, 567–584, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-22-567-2004, 2004. a, b
Robinson, R. M., Kaeppler, S. R., Zanetti, L., Anderson, B., Vines, S. K., Korth, H., and Fitzmaurice, A.: Statistical Relations Between Auroral Electrical Conductances and Field‐Aligned Currents at High Latitudes, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 125, e2020JA028008, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020ja028008, 2020. a
Schäfer, H., Nießner, M., Keinert, B., Stamminger, M., and Loop, C.: State of the Art Report on Real-time Rendering with Hardware Tessellation, in: Eurographics 2014, EG, https://niessnerlab.org/projects/schaefer2014star.html (last access: 28 January 2025), 2014. a
Schunk, R. and Nagy, A.: Ionospheres: Physics, Plasma Physics, and Chemistry, Cambridge Atmospheric and Space Science Series, Cambridge University Press, 2nd edn., ISBN 9780511635342, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511635342, 2009. a, b, c
Sergienko, T. I. and Ivanov, V. E.: A new approach to calculate the excitation of atmospheric gases by auroral electron impact, Ann. Geophys., 11, 717–727, 1993. a
Shou, Y., Tenishev, V., Chen, Y., Toth, G., and Ganushkina, N.: Magnetohydrodynamic with Adaptively Embedded Particle-in-Cell model: MHD-AEPIC, J. Comput. Phys., 446, 110656, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcp.2021.110656, 2021. a
Strangeway, R. J., Ergun, R. E., Su, Y.-J., Carlson, C. W., and Elphic, R. C.: Factors controlling ionospheric outflows as observed at intermediate altitudes, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 110, a03221, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JA010829, 2005. a
Tsyganenko, N. A. and Andreeva, V. A.: A forecasting model of the magnetosphere driven by an optimal solar wind coupling function, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 120, 8401–8425, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015ja021641, 2015. a
Turc, L., Ganse, U., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Hoilijoki, S., Battarbee, M., Juusola, L., Jarvinen, R., Brito, T., Grandin, M., and Palmroth, M.: Foreshock Properties at Typical and Enhanced Interplanetary Magnetic Field Strengths: Results From Hybrid-Vlasov Simulations, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 123, 5476–5493, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA025466, 2018. a
University of Helsinki: Vlasiator, University of Helsinki Research Group [data set], https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/vlasiator, last access: 29 January 2025. a
Vickers, G. T.: The corotation of the plasmasphere, J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 38, 1061–1064, https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9169(76)90034-9, 1976. a
von Alfthan, S., Pokhotelov, D., Kempf, Y., Hoilijoki, S., Honkonen, I., Sandroos, A., and Palmroth, M.: Vlasiator: First global hybrid-Vlasov simulations of Earth's foreshock and magnetosheath, J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phy., 120, 24–35, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2014.08.012, 2014. a
Wang, Z. and Zou, S.: COMPASS: A New COnductance Model Based on PFISR And SWARM Satellite Observations, Space Weather, 20, e2021SW002958, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021sw002958, 2022. a
Wolf, R., Spiro, R., Sazykin, S., and Toffoletto, F.: How the Earth’s inner magnetosphere works: An evolving picture, J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phy., 69, 288–302, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2006.07.026, 2007. a
Yu, Y., Cao, J., Pu, Z., Jordanova, V. K., and Ridley, A.: Meso-Scale Electrodynamic Coupling of the Earth Magnetosphere-Ionosphere System, Space Sci. Rev., 218, 74, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-022-00940-0, 2022. a
Zhang, B., Lotko, W., Wiltberger, M., Brambles, O., and Damiano, P.: A statistical study of magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling in the Lyon–Fedder–Mobarry global MHD model, J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phy., 73, 686–702, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2010.09.027, 2011. a
Zhang, B., Lotko, W., Brambles, O., Wiltberger, M., and Lyon, J.: Electron precipitation models in global magnetosphere simulations, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 120, 1035–1056, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014ja020615, 2015. a, b
Zhou, H., Turc, L., Pfau-Kempf, Y., Battarbee, M., Tarvus, V., Dubart, M., Grandin, M., Ganse, U., Alho, M., Johlander, A., George, H., Suni, J., Bussov, M., Papadakis, K., Horaites, K., Zaitsev, I., Cozzani, G., Tesema, F., Gordeev, E., and Palmroth, M.: Magnetospheric Responses to Solar Wind Pc5Density Fluctuations: Results from 2D HybridVlasov Simulation, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 9, https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2022.984918, 2022. a
Short summary
Vlasiator is a kinetic space plasma model that simulates the behavior of plasma, solar wind and magnetic fields in near-Earth space. So far, these simulations have been run without any interaction with the ionosphere, the uppermost layer of Earth's atmosphere. In this paper, we present the new methods that add an ionospheric electrodynamics model to Vlasiator, coupling it with the existing methods and presenting new simulation results of how space plasma and Earth's ionosphere interact.
Vlasiator is a kinetic space plasma model that simulates the behavior of plasma, solar wind and...
