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Using data from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission, we explore the plasma properties of Martian magnetotail current sheets (CS), to further understand the solar wind interaction with Mars and ion escape. There are some CS exhibit energetic oxygen ions that show narrow beam structures in the energy spectrum, which primarily occurs in the hemisphere where the solar wind electric field (Esw) is directed away from the planet. On average, these CS have a higher escaping flux than that of the CS without energetic oxygen ion beams, suggesting different roles in ion escape. The CS with energetic oxygen ion beams exhibits different proton and electron properties to the CS without energetic oxygen ion beams, indicating their different origins. Our analysis suggests that the CS with energetic oxygen ion beams may result from the interaction between the penetrated solar wind and localized oxygen ion plumes. Plain Language Summary: Ion escape into space, driven by solar wind interactions with Mars, plays a pivotal role in the evolution of the Martian atmosphere. An important escape channel of planetary oxygen ions is the current sheet in the nightside magnetotail. Yet, our existing understanding of plasma characteristics within this magnetic structure remains quite limited. Based on the MAVEN observations, we find the current sheets can be categorized into two distinct types according to the energy distribution patterns of oxygen ions: one is with the appearance of energetic oxygen ions with narrow beam structure, the other one is not. On average, the current sheets with energetic oxygen ion beams have a higher escaping flux than those without, suggesting different roles in ion escape. Furthermore, the two types of current sheets exhibit markedly distinct plasma properties, indicating that they have different origins. Here we suggest that the current sheet with energetic oxygen ion beams arise from the interaction between the penetrated solar wind and localized oxygen ion plumes. Key Points: Martian magnetotail current sheets occasionally exhibit energetic oxygen ions that show beam structures in the energy spectrumThe current sheets with energetic oxygen ion beam usually have a higher escaping flux than those withoutPlasma properties in current sheets differ significantly differences between those with and without energetic oxygen ion beams [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The localized crustal magnetic fields of Mars play an important role in the planet's ionosphere‐solar wind interaction. Various physical processes in the induced magnetosphere, such as particle precipitation, field‐aligned currents, and ion outflow, are usually associated with the crustal magnetic cusp regions, where field lines are mostly vertical and open to space. Due to the small spatial scale (a few hundred km) of the Martian crustal magnetic cusps, localized models with high spatial resolutions and ion kinetics are needed to understand the physical processes. We adapt the simulation platform HYB developed at the Finnish Meteorological Institute to a moderately strong magnetic cusp above the Martian exobase with a 2‐D simulation domain assuming periodic boundary conditions on the third dimension. Two plasma sources are included in the simulation: hot protons from the induced magnetosphere and cold heavy ions (O+) from the ionosphere. Our model results can qualitatively reproduce the vertical electric potential drop, particle transport, and field aligned current in the cusp region. The vertical electric potential is built up mostly by the Hall electric field as a result of the separation between ion and electron fluxes of the downward plasma flow. By varying the model inputs, we found that the vertical potential drop depends on ionospheric ion density and magnetic field strength. These results tell us that energy is transferred from magnetospheric plasma to ionospheric plasma through the vertical electric potential buildup in magnetic cusps and how this process may affect electron precipitation, ion escape, and ionosphere conditions at Mars. Key Points: A hybrid model qualitatively reproduced the vertical potential drop and field aligned currents in Martian crustal magnetic cusp regionsThe vertical electric potential drop is mostly from the Hall electric field as a result of energy input from the downward plasma flowThe vertical electric potential drop decreases with ionospheric ion density and increases with magnetic field strength [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auroras can be regarded as the most fascinating manifestation of space weather and they are continuously observed by ground‐based and, nowadays more and more, also by space‐based measurements. Investigations of auroras and geospace comprise the main research goals of the Suomi 100 nanosatellite, the first Finnish space research satellite, which has been measuring the Earth's ionosphere since its launch on 3 December 2018. In this work, we present a case study where the satellite's camera observations of an aurora over Northern Europe are combined with ground‐based observations of the same event. The analyzed image is, to the authors' best knowledge, the first auroral image ever taken by a CubeSat. Our data analysis shows that a satellite vantage point provides complementary, novel information of such phenomena. The 3D auroral location reconstruction of the analyzed auroral event demonstrates how information from a 2D image can be used to provide location information of auroras under study. The location modeling also suggests that the Earth's limb direction, which was the case in the analyzed image, is an ideal direction to observe faint auroras. Although imaging on a small satellite has some large disadvantages compared with ground‐based imaging (the camera cannot be repaired, a fast moving spinning satellite), the data analysis and modeling demonstrate how even a small 1‐Unit (size: 10 × 10 × 10 cm) CubeSat and its camera, build using cheap commercial off‐the‐shelf components, can open new possibilities for auroral research, especially, when its measurements are combined with ground‐based observations. Plain Language Summary: Auroras, or polar lights, have been imaged by ground‐based terrestrial cameras for a long time. However, auroras can also be observed from space with cameras mounted on spacecraft. In the last few years, a number of very small satellites, so‐called nanosatellites with masses less than 10 kg, have been developed and launched into so‐called low Earth orbits at altitudes between 300 and 600 km. These small and light satellites are much cheaper than traditional large and heavy satellites, the masses of which could easily exceed hundreds of kilograms. Therefore, it is anticipated that nanosatellites will provide new possibilities to investigate auroras. In this study, we analyze, to our knowledge, the first image of an aurora taken by a nanosatellite. The satellite is a small, 10 × 10 × 10 cm, Suomi 100 satellite which was launched in December 2018. We show how the obtained auroral image can provide new information about auroras when it is combined with ground‐based observations and numerical modeling. When additional cameras will be included in the design and fabrication of small satellites, we will be able to increase our understanding of auroras and, consequently, the effects of the Sun on the Earth and beyond. Key Points: The concept of imaging aurora toward the Earth's limb by a CubeSat camera is demonstratedThe dark background available in the Earth‐limb viewing direction facilitates imaging of dim auroras, e.g., for auroral tomography purposesThe analysis shows that auroral imaging at low Earth orbit can provide a new context for ground‐based auroral and ionospheric observations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the structure of the Venusian magnetotail utilizing magnetic field and electron density measurements that cover a wide range of distances from the planet, from the first two Solar Orbiter Venus flybys. We examine the magnetic field components along the spacecraft trajectory up to 80 Venus radii down the tail. Even though the magnetic field behavior differs considerably between the two cases, we see extended electron density enhancements covering distances greater than ∼20 RV in both flybys. We compare the magnetic field measurements with a global hybrid model of the induced magnetosphere and magnetotail of Venus, to examine to what degree the observations can be understood with the simulation. The model upstream conditions are stationary and the solution encloses a large volume of 83 RV × 60 RV × 60 RV in which we look for spatial magnetic field and plasma variations. We rotate the simulation solution to describe different stationary upstream IMF clock angle cases with a 10° step and find the clock angle for which the agreement between observations and model is maximized along Solar Orbiter's trajectory in 1‐min steps. We find that in both flybys there is better agreement with the observations when we rotate the model for some intervals, while there are parts that cannot be well reproduced by the model irrespective of how we vary the IMF clock angle, suggesting the presence of non‐stationary features in the Venus‐solar wind interaction not accounted for in the hybrid model. Key Points: We examine rare observations of the distant induced magnetotail of Venus made by Solar Orbiter during its first two flybysWe compare Venus flyby data with a hybrid simulation and investigate the level of the data‐model agreement during different intervalsWe observe electron density enhancements at great distances from the planet and different magnetic field features between the two flybys [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio waves provide a useful diagnostic tool to investigate the properties of the ionosphere because the ionosphere affects the transmission and properties of high frequency (HF) electromagnetic waves. We have conducted a transionospheric HF‐propagation research campaign with a nanosatellite on a low‐Earth polar orbit and the EISCAT HF transmitter facility in Tromsø, Norway, in December 2020. In the active measurement, the EISCAT HF facility transmitted sinusoidal 7.953 MHz signal which was received with the High frEquency rAdio spectRomEteR (HEARER) onboard 1 Unit (size: 10 × 10 × 10 cm) Suomi 100 space weather nanosatellite. Data analysis showed that the EISCAT HF signal was detected with the satellite's radio spectrometer when the satellite was the closest to the heater along its orbit. Part of the observed variations seen in the signal was identified to be related to the heater's antenna pattern and to the transmitted pulse shapes. Other observed variations can be related to the spatial and temporal variations of the ionosphere and its different responses to the used transmission frequencies and to the transmitted O‐ and X‐wave modes. Some trends in the observed signal may also be associated to changes in the properties of ionospheric plasma resulting from the heater's electromagnetic wave energy. This paper is, to authors' best knowledge, the first observation of this kind of "self‐absorption" measured from the transionospheric signal path from a powerful radio source on the ground to the satellite‐borne receiver. Key Points: Active radar‐satellite transionospheric measurements in the high frequency (HF) range with a CubeSat‐size satellite have been performedA radio spectrometer onboard the Suomi 100 CubeSat detected a clear signal transmitted by the EISCAT HF heaterThe properties of ionospheric plasma were found to be affected by the energy of the transmitted heater signal [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the long escort by the ESA Rosetta mission, direct observations of a fully developed bow shock around 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko have not been reported. Expanding on our previous work on indirect observations of a shock, we model the large-scale features in cometary pickup ions, and compare the results with the ESA Rosetta Plasma Consortium Ion Composition Analyser ion spectrometer measurements over the pre-perihelion portion of the escort phase. Using our hybrid plasma simulation, an empirical, asymmetric outgassing model for 67P, and varied interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) clock angles, we model the evolution of the large-scale plasma environment. We find that the subsolar bow shock standoff distance is enhanced by asymmetric outgassing with a factor of 2 to 3, reaching up to |$18\,000\, \rm {km}$| approaching perihelion. We find that distinct spectral features in simulated pickup ion distributions are present for simulations with shock-like structures, with the details of the spectral features depending on shock standoff distance, heliocentric distance, and IMF configuration. Asymmetric outgassing along with IMF clock angle is found to have a strong effect on the location of the spectral features, while the IMF clock angle causes no significant effect on the bow shock standoff distance. These dependences further complicate the interpretation of the ion observations made by Rosetta. Our data-model comparison shows that the large-scale cometary plasma environment can be probed by remote sensing the pickup ions, at least when the comet's activity is comparable to that of 67P, and the solar wind parameters are known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the solar wind‐driven, nonthermal escape of O+ ions from Venus in a global hybrid simulation. In the model, a well‐developed ion foreshock forms ahead of the Venusian quasi‐parallel bow shock under nominal upstream conditions. Large‐scale magnetosonic ultra‐low frequency (ULF) waves at 20‐ to 30‐s period are excited and convect downstream along the foreshock with the solar wind. We show that the foreshock ULF waves transmit through the bow shock in the downstream region and interact with the planetary ion acceleration, causing 25% peak‐to‐peak fluctuations in the O+ escape rate. These results demonstrate the importance of upstream plasma waves on the energization and escape of heavy ions from the planetary atmospheres. Key Points: A global hybrid simulation predicts fluctuations in the O+ escape from VenusThe fluctuations are associated with the foreshock ULF waves, which modulate the acceleration of heavy pickup ionsUpstream waves need to be taken into account in the interpretation of heavy ion erosion from unmagnetized planets [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrinsic magnetic fields have long been thought to shield planets from atmospheric erosion via stellar winds; however, the influence of the plasma environment on atmospheric escape is complex. Here we study the influence of a weak intrinsic dipolar planetary magnetic field on the plasma environment and subsequent ion escape from a Mars-sized planet in a global three-dimensional hybrid simulation. We find that increasing the strength of a planet's magnetic field enhances ion escape until the magnetic dipole's standoff distance reaches the induced magnetosphere boundary. After this point increasing the planetary magnetic field begins to inhibit ion escape. This reflects a balance between shielding of the Southern hemisphere from 'misaligned' ion pickup forces and trapping of escaping ions by an equatorial plasmasphere. Thus, the planetary magnetic field associated with the peak ion escape rate is critically dependent on the stellar wind pressure. Where possible we have fit power laws for the variation of fundamental parameters (escape rate, escape power, polar cap opening angle, and effective interaction area) with magnetic field, and assessed upper and lower limits for the relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planetary habitability is in part determined by the atmospheric evolution of a planet; one key component of such evolution is escape of heavy ions to space. Ion-loss processes are sensitive to the plasma environment of the planet, dictated by the stellar wind and stellar radiation. These conditions are likely to vary from what we observe in our own Solar system when considering a planet in the habitable zone around an M-dwarf. Here, we use a hybrid global plasma model to perform a systematic study of the changing plasma environment and ion escape as a function of stellar input conditions, which are designed to mimic those of potentially habitable planets orbiting M-dwarfs. We begin with a nominal case of a solar wind experienced at Mars today, and incrementally modify the interplanetary magnetic field orientation and strength, dynamic pressure, and Extreme Ultraviolet input. We find that both ion-loss morphology and overall rates vary significantly, and in cases where the stellar wind pressure was increased, the ion loss began to be diffusion or production limited with roughly half of all produced ions being lost. This limit implies that extreme care must be taken when extrapolating loss processes observed in the Solar system to extreme environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast plasma flows produced as outflow jets from reconnection sites or X lines are a key feature of the dynamics in the Earth's magnetosphere. We have used a polar plane simulation of the hybrid-Vlasov model Vlasiator, driven by steady southward interplanetary magnetic field and fast solar wind, to study fast plasma sheet ion flows and related magnetic field structures in the Earth's magnetotail. In the simulation, lobe reconnection starts to produce fast flows after the increasing pressure in the lobes has caused the plasma sheet to thin sufficiently. The characteristics of the earthward and tailward fast flows and embedded magnetic field structures produced by multi-point tail reconnection are in general agreement with spacecraft measurements reported in the literature. The structuring of the flows is caused by internal processes: interactions between major X points determine the earthward or tailward direction of the flow, while interactions between minor X points, associated with leading edges of magnetic islands carried by the flow, induce local minima and maxima in the flow speed. Earthward moving flows are stopped and diverted duskward in an oscillatory (bouncing) manner at the transition region between tail-like and dipolar magnetic fields. Increasing and decreasing dynamic pressure of the flows causes the transition region to shift earthward and tailward, respectively. The leading edge of the train of earthward flow bursts is associated with an earthward propagating dipolarization front, while the leading edge of the train of tailward flow bursts is associated with a tailward propagating plasmoid. The impact of the dipolarization front with the dipole field causes magnetic field variations in the Pi2 range. Major X points can move either earthward or tailward, although tailward motion is more common. They are generally not advected by the ambient flow. Instead, their velocity is better described by local parameters, such that an X point moves in the direction of increasing reconnection electric field strength. Our results indicate that ion kinetics might be sufficient to describe the behavior of plasma sheet bulk ion flows produced by tail reconnection in global near-Earth simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present the first identification of foreshock cavitons and the formation of spontaneous hot flow anomalies (SHFAs) with the Vlasiator global magnetospheric hybrid-Vlasov simulation code. In agreement with previous studies we show that cavitons evolve into SHFAs. In the presented run, this occurs very near the bow shock. We report on SHFAs surviving the shock crossing into the downstream region and show that the interaction of SHFAs with the bow shock can lead to the formation of a magnetosheath cavity, previously identified in observations and simulations. We report on the first identification of long-term local weakening and erosion of the bow shock, associated with a region of increased foreshock SHFA and caviton formation, and repeated shock crossings by them. We show that SHFAs are linked to an increase in suprathermal particle pitch-angle spreads. The realistic length scales in our simulation allow us to present a statistical study of global caviton and SHFA size distributions, and their comparable size distributions support the theory that SHFAs are formed from cavitons. Virtual spacecraft observations are shown to be in good agreement with observational studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Global models of the interaction of the solar wind with the Martian upper atmosphere have proved to be valuable tools for investigating both the escape to space of the Martian atmosphere and the physical processes controlling this complex interaction. The many models currently in use employ different physical assumptions, but it can be difficult to directly compare the effectiveness of the models since they are rarely run for the same input conditions. Here we present the results of a model comparison activity, where five global models (single‐fluid MHD, multifluid MHD, multifluid electron pressure MHD, and two hybrid models) were run for identical conditions corresponding to a single orbit of observations from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft. We find that low‐altitude ion densities are very similar across all models and are comparable to MAVEN ion density measurements from periapsis. Plasma boundaries appear generally symmetric in all models and vary only slightly in extent. Despite these similarities there are clear morphological differences in ion behavior in other regions such as the tail and southern hemisphere. These differences are observable in ion escape loss maps and are necessary to understand in order to accurately use models in aiding our understanding of the Martian plasma environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]