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We report a rare regime of Earth's magnetosphere interaction with sub‐Alfvénic solar wind in which the windsock‐like magnetosphere transforms into one with Alfvén wings. In the magnetic cloud of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on 24 April 2023, NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale mission distinguishes the following features: (a) unshocked and accelerated low‐beta CME plasma coming directly against Earth's dayside magnetosphere; (b) dynamical wing filaments representing new channels of magnetic connection between the magnetosphere and foot points of the Sun's erupted flux rope; (c) cold CME ions observed with energized counter‐streaming electrons, evidence of CME plasma captured due to by reconnection between magnetic‐cloud and Alfvén‐wing field lines. The reported measurements advance our knowledge of CME interaction with planetary magnetospheres, and open new opportunities to understand how sub‐Alfvénic plasma flows impact astrophysical bodies such as Mercury, moons of Jupiter, and exoplanets close to their host stars. Plain Language Summary: Like supersonically fast fighter jets creating sonic shocks in the air, planet Earth typically moves in the magnetized solar wind at super‐Alfvénic speeds and generates a bow shock. Here we report unprecedented observations of Earth's magnetosphere interacting with a sub‐Alfvénic solar wind brought by an erupted magnetic flux rope from the Sun, called a coronal mass ejection (CME). The terrestrial bow shock disappears, leaving the magnetosphere exposed directly to the cold CME plasma and the strong magnetic field from the Sun's corona. Our results show that the magnetosphere transforms from its typical windsock‐like configuration to having wings that magnetically connect our planet to the Sun. The wings are highways for Earth's plasma to be lost to the Sun, and for the plasma from the foot points of the Sun's erupted flux rope to access Earth's ionosphere. Our work indicates highly dynamic generation and interaction of the wing filaments, shedding new light on how sub‐Alfvénic plasma wind may impact astrophysical bodies in our solar and other stellar systems. Key Points: MMS observed a rare regime of magnetosphere interaction with unshocked low‐beta CME plasmaWing filaments represent dynamical channels of magnetic connection between the magnetosphere and foot points of the Sun's erupted flux ropeCold CME ions observed on closed field lines, likely generated by dual‐wing reconnection [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the Three events of Solar Parameters and Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections in the maximum phase of Solar Cycle 24 and focuses on the magnetic activity of interplanetary coronal mass ejection during the solar cycle 24. We investigate the magnetic field magnitude (B), Proton temperature (Tp), Proton density (Np). From this study, we find the highest peak of IP (Interplanetary) shocks on disk center MC (Magnetic cloud) events during the solar cycle 24 and also we investigate the magnetic activity of the solar cycle. In this study, we find that the ACE spacecraft shows the fastest coronal mass ejection and highest interplanetary shock wave on solar cycle 24. It is important to note that extreme events can happen at any time during a cycle. In solar cycle 24, from July 13, 2012 to July 15, 2012 largest storm occurred because the magnetic field was -52nT and linear speed was 1500 kms-1 observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to most observations and simulations, interplanetary shocks slow down when they propagate through the magnetosheath. In this article, we present results from a self-consistent global hybrid PIC simulation of an interplanetary shock which, by contrast, accelerates as it propagates through the magnetosheath. In this simulation, the solar wind upstream of the interplanetary shock is set up with an Alfvén Mach number MA = 4.5 and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is set up to be almost parallel to the y direction in GSE coordinate system. The 'planet' is modelled as a magnetic dipole with no tilt: the dipole is in the GSE's z direction. In the ecliptic plane (Oxy), which contains the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), the magnetic field lines are piling up against the magnetopause, and the velocity of the interplanetary shock decreases from 779 ± 48 km/s in the solar wind down to 607 ± 48 km/s in the magnetosheath. By contrast, in the noon-meridian plane (Oxz), which is perpendicular to the IMF, the velocity of the interplanetary shock in the magnetosheath can reach values up to 904 ± 48 km/s. This study suggests that interplanetary shocks can accelerate as they propagate through the magnetosheath. This finding, reported here for the first time, could have important implications for space weather, as it corresponds to the case where an interplanetary shock catches up with a low Alfvén Mach number solar transient such as an interplanetary coronal mass ejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We report a rare regime of Earth's magnetosphere interaction with sub‐Alfvénic solar wind in which the windsock‐like magnetosphere transforms into one with Alfvén wings. In the magnetic cloud of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on 24 April 2023, NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale mission distinguishes the following features: (a) unshocked and accelerated low‐beta CME plasma coming directly against Earth's dayside magnetosphere; (b) dynamical wing filaments representing new channels of magnetic connection between the magnetosphere and foot points of the Sun's erupted flux rope; (c) cold CME ions observed with energized counter‐streaming electrons, evidence of CME plasma captured due to by reconnection between magnetic‐cloud and Alfvén‐wing field lines. The reported measurements advance our knowledge of CME interaction with planetary magnetospheres, and open new opportunities to understand how sub‐Alfvénic plasma flows impact astrophysical bodies such as Mercury, moons of Jupiter, and exoplanets close to their host stars.

We analyze and discuss the commencement and interruption of the relativistic electron dropout in the heart of the outer radiation belt (L* = 4–5) induced by a typical magnetic cloud (MC) event. This MC event impinged the Earth's magnetosphere on 31 October 2012 and caused a moderate geomagnetic storm with a special prolonged initial phase lasting for >13 hr. The relativistic electrons phase space density (PSD) dropout commenced at L* > 5 during the initial phase. The PSD dropout penetrated deep beyond the heart of the radiation belt (reached L* < 4) at the onset of the main phase, while it was partially enhanced with a local PSD maximum around L* = 4.5, thus causing the interruption of the PSD dropout. The dropout became pronounced at L* > ∼4.7 while the local PSD maximum was maintained throughout the main phase. During the recovery phase, the dropout totally disappeared at L* < 5.5 with relativistic electron PSD gradually recovering to pre‐event level or higher. Further investigations on solar wind parameters and plasma waves give evidence that (a) persistent high dynamic pressure and the triggered Ultra‐Low Frequency waves contribute to the dropout of electrons to interplanetary space during the initial phase and the onset of the main phase; (b) local acceleration by chorus waves during the main phase and recovery phase could explain the interruption of the dropout. Our study underlines the persistent high dynamic pressure competing with intense chorus waves in triggering the commencement and interruption of the relativistic electrons PSD dropout in the heart of the outer radiation belt. Key Points: Persistent dynamic pressure and excited Ultra‐Low Frequency waves caused the electron dropout during the initial phase and the onset of the main phaseLocal acceleration of electrons induced by chorus during the main phase and recovery phase can explain the interruption of the dropoutSpecial conditions in the magnetic cloud and the sheath dominate the balance of the acceleration and loss of the radiation belt electrons [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffusion and electromagnetic mechanisms determine the formation of sporadic Forbush decreases. The diffusion mechanism affects the Forbush decrease amplitude in the turbulent layer, and the part of the coronal mass ejection preceding the magnetic cloud, and its efficiency depends on the level of magnetic field turbulence. The electromagnetic mechanism works in a magnetic cloud, and its efficiency depends on the intensity of regular magnetic and electric fields. We analyze solar wind parameters and cosmic ray density, using the superposed epoch analysis. In 1996–2006, 23 strong Forbush decreases (amplitude >5 %) were detected. The average amplitude of 7 % is equally formed by both mechanisms. The events can be divided into 2 groups depending on the contribution of the mechanisms to Forbush decrease amplitude. Group 1 includes the strongest Forbush decreases (amplitude=8.5 %), formed by both diffusion and electromagnetic mechanisms. The diffusion mechanism forms 0.26 amplitude, and the electromagnetic mechanism is responsible for 0.74 one. In group 2, the averege amplitude Forbush decrease =5.7 %, the diffusion mechanism forms 0.79 of amplitude; and the electromagnetic one, 0.21. The spatial distributions of the mean values of the medium parameters in the region of disturbances in the groups differ. This difference can be explained by the fact that Forbush decrease amplitude in groups 1 and 2 are formed in the central and peripheral parts of coronal mass ejection respectively.

According to most observations and simulations, interplanetary shocks slow down when they propagate through the magnetosheath. In this article, we present results from a self-consistent global hybrid PIC simulation of an interplanetary shock which, by contrast, accelerates as it propagates through the magnetosheath. In this simulation, the solar wind upstream of the interplanetary shock is set up with an Alfvén Mach number MA = 4.5 and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is set up to be almost parallel to the y direction in GSE coordinate system. The ‘planet’ is modelled as a magnetic dipole with no tilt: the dipole is in the GSE’s z direction. In the ecliptic plane (Oxy), which contains the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), the magnetic field lines are piling up against the magnetopause, and the velocity of the interplanetary shock decreases from 779 ± 48 km/s in the solar wind down to 607 ± 48 km/s in the magnetosheath. By contrast, in the noon-meridian plane (Oxz), which is perpendicular to the IMF, the velocity of the interplanetary shock in the magnetosheath can reach values up to 904 ± 48 km/s. This study suggests that interplanetary shocks can accelerate as they propagate through the magnetosheath. This finding, reported here for the first time, could have important implications for space weather, as it corresponds to the case where an interplanetary shock catches up with a low Alfvén Mach number solar transient such as an interplanetary coronal mass ejection.

Supersubstorm (SSS) events are associated with extremely intense westward auroral electrojet currents (the minimum SuperMAG AL or SML < - 2500 nT) resulting from the solar wind-magnetosphere coupling. We present, for the first time, variability of the Earth's magnetotail and coupling from the solar wind to magnetotail, geosynchronous orbit and auroral ionosphere during the SSS events. Five intervals with multiple SSSs were identified when the Cluster spacecraft was well inside the inner magnetotail. The SSS events are found to be characterized by turbulent magnetotail plasma sheet and injection of energetic (∼ 100 eV to ∼ 100 keV) electrons and protons. Injection of energetic protons from the plasma sheet causes electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves that lead to pitch angle scattering of the outer radiation belt MeV electrons and loss to the atmosphere during the SSSs. The SSS events are found to be associated with interplanetary magnetic clouds characterized by slowly varying interplanetary magnetic fields. An overall increase in the turbulence is recorded from the solar wind to the inner magnetosphere-ionosphere system during the SSSs. From the wavelet and cross-wavelet analyses, the inner magnetosphere and ionosphere are found to respond quasi-periodically at ∼ 1.5 - 4 hours, and sporadically at shorter timescales of ∼ 0.5 - 1.5 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At midlatitudes (40 ° - 65 ° S), stratospheric ozone loss has been linked to a variety of physico-chemical effects. In this study, however, we examine how ozone responded to a fortuitous magnetic cloud (MC)-triggered storm on 20 November 2003 using a synthesis of multiple platform approach. We employed this approach to predict how energetic particles interact with the atmosphere by determining realistic NOx production rates without having to run a full ion chemistry model. Using simplified numerical approximations and synthetic satellite observations, we found that this method of ion pair production might be more economical in terms of numerical cost. Following three days of MC, the tendency for ozone reduction became apparent. According to this study, relativistic electron microbursts may promote particle precipitation, which in turn induced the occurrence of NO x around 55 km midlatitude. This corroborates the hypothesis that existing electron precipitation proxies, which do not yet take relativistic microburst energies into account, are likely overlooking a significant source of precipitation that affects atmospheric ozone levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the OMNI database, the influence of the solar activity decrease in solar cycles (SCs) 23–24 on the behavior of the relative helium ions abundance Nα/Np inside interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) is investigated. The dependences of the helium abundance on the plasma and interplanetary magnetic field parameters in the epoch of high solar activity (SCs 21–22) and the epoch of low activity (SCs 23–24) are compared. It is shown that Nα/Np significantly decreased in SCs 23–24 compared to SCs 21–22. The general trends of the dependences have not changed with the change of epoch, but the helium abundance dependences on some parameters (for example, the magnitude of the interplanetary magnetic field) have become weaker in the epoch of low activity than they were in the epoch of high activity. In addition, the dependence of the helium abundance on the distance from spacecraft to the ICME axis was revealed; the clearest dependence is observed in magnetic clouds. The Nα/Np maximum is measured at the minimum distance, which confirms the hypothesis of the existence of a helium-enriched electric current inside an ICME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic helicity, an intrinsic property of eruptive helical flux ropes (FRs) forming coronal mass ejections (CMEs), plays an important role in determining CME geoeffectiveness. In the solar atmosphere and heliosphere, helicity remains conserved in a closed volume. Considering this fact as a basis of our study, we perform a quantitative comparison between total magnetic helicity and twisted flux in interplanetary CMEs and those transported to CMEs via magnetic reconnection at low corona. At the source, twisted/poloidal flux ( ϕ pcme ) of CMEs is directly estimated from total reconnection flux, and CME helicity ( H cme ) is obtained by combining reconnection flux information with CME physical parameters. At 1 AU, the twisted/poloidal flux ( ϕ pmc ) and helicity ( H mc ) of CMEs are obtained from in situ observations. Considering uncertainties steaming from FR length, reconnection flux and CME physical parameter estimations, poloidal flux and helicity of CMEs at 1 AU are found to be highly relevant ( ϕ pmc ϕ pcme = 0.4–1.5, H mc H cme = 0.3–1) to low-corona magnetic reconnection at the wake of CMEs. This result remains unchanged despite CME association with pre-existing FRs. We show that a significant reduction in CME helicity during its heliospheric propagation may result from a high rate of FR erosion in the interplanetary medium. Our event analysis confirms that CME's intrinsic magnetic properties are transported to CME FRs during magnetic reconnection at sheared coronal arcades. A one-to-one correspondence between the chirality of 1-AU CMEs and their pre-eruptive structures complies with the fact that the sense of field line rotations in FRs may remain unchanged during coronal reconnection at the source. By connecting intrinsic magnetic properties of FRs through Sun-Earth medium, this study provides important implications for the origin of geoeffectiveness in CMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the solar and interplanetary (IP) causes of the third largest geomagnetic storm (26 August 2018) in solar cycle 24. The underlying coronal mass ejection (CME) originating from a quiescent filament region becomes a 440 km/s magnetic cloud (MC) at 1 au after ∼5 days. The prolonged CME acceleration (for ∼24 hr) coincides with the time profiles of the post‐eruption arcade intensity and reconnected flux. Chen et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab3f36) obtain a lower speed since they assumed that the CME does not accelerate after ∼12 hr. The presence of multiple coronal holes near the filament channel and the high‐speed wind from them seem to have the combined effect of producing complex rotation in the corona and IP medium resulting in a high‐inclination MC. The Dst time profile in the main phase steepens significantly (rapid increase in storm intensity) coincident with the density increase (prominence material) in the second half of the MC. Simulations using the Comprehensive Inner Magnetosphere‐Ionosphere model show that a higher ring current energy results from larger dynamic pressure (density) in MCs. Furthermore, the Dst index is highly correlated with the main‐phase time integral of the ring current injection that includes density, consistent with the simulations. A complex temporal structure develops in the storm main phase if the underlying MC has a complex density structure during intervals of southward IP magnetic field. We conclude that the high intensity of the storm results from the prolonged CME acceleration, complex rotation of the CME flux rope, and the high density in the 1‐au MC. Plain Language Summary: Powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are responsible for very intense geomagnetic storms due to the out of the ecliptic component of the magnetic field in the CME flux rope or in the sheath if shock‐driving (Gosling, 1993, https://doi.org/10.1029/93ja01896). The 26 August 2018 storm was very intense, but the CME was inconspicuous and weak near the Sun. However, over an extended period of time the CME accelerated slowly and picked up adequate speed to cause an intense storm. Due to the presence of coronal holes near the eruption region, the CME rotated in such a way that the CME magnetic field and Earth's magnetic field can efficiently couple to transfer energy into the magnetosphere to cause the geomagnetic storm. The energy transfer is expedited by the presence of dense material deep inside the CME. Key Points: A coronal mass ejection characterized by prolonged acceleration, rotation, and high‐density content results in the intense geomagnetic stormSimulations with a kinetic code confirm that the ring current injection involves both solar wind dynamic pressure and electric fieldEmpirical formulas for predicting Dst based on solar wind electric field work when the magnetic cloud has no high‐density enhancement [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report a rare observation of an extremely large and rapid change of geomagnetic field (dB/dt), a proxy for the geomagnetically induced currents (GICs), at the equator caused by a sudden drop in solar wind density at the front boundary of a magnetic cloud (MC) during the great 31 March 2001 storm. The horizontal component at the Indian equatorial station, Tirunelveli, recorded a sharp decline of ∼350 nT in just 5 min with a peak dB/dt exhibiting a concerning value of 136 nT/min, a possible GIC risk to the electric power systems. The responsible physical mechanisms were examined through magneto‐hydrodynamic model simulations and found that a prompt penetration of strong westward‐overshielding electric fields and ionospheric currents at the equator play a dominant role. This study provides some new insights into the extent of extreme geomagnetic field changes that can occur at the equatorial region due to solar wind density reduction at MC, which can have potential impacts on the electric power grid systems. Plain Language Summary: The Earth, a planet with an intrinsic magnetic field bubble around it, is immersed in a hot and energetic solar wind plasma that continuously emanated from the Sun. The sudden disturbances on the Sun, such as coronal mass ejections, induce transient structures in the solar wind which, when directed earthward, can cause severe disturbances in the Earth's (Geo) magnetic field. The rapid changes in the geomagnetic field induce electric fields at the conducting surface of Earth, which can cause strong electrical currents, known as geomagnetically induced currents (GICs), that flow through the long conducting structures, like electric power transmission lines, long pipelines, etc., on the ground. The enhanced GICs are of serious threat to the electric power and pipeline grids. The elevated GICs are most popularly known to occur at high latitudes during severe geomagnetic storms. This study reports a rare observation of a large and rapid change in geomagnetic field indicating the strong GICs at the geomagnetic equator due to a magnetic cloud structure in solar wind and reveals the underlying physical processes. Key Points: Unique report of large dB/dt (geomagnetically induced current) at the geomagnetic equator due to a decrease in solar wind density at the front boundary of a magnetic cloudThe amplitude of dB/dt is maximized at the equator on the noon side due to the Equatorial ElectroJet and is compared to that at high latitudesSolar wind density takes the control of dayside reconnection and convection electric fields through the modulation of magnetosheath Bz [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Here, we report a rare observation of an extremely large and rapid change of geomagnetic field (dB/dt), a proxy for the geomagnetically induced currents (GICs), at the equator caused by a sudden drop in solar wind density at the front boundary of a magnetic cloud (MC) during the great 31 March 2001 storm. The horizontal component at the Indian equatorial station, Tirunelveli, recorded a sharp decline of ∼350 nT in just 5 min with a peak dB/dt exhibiting a concerning value of 136 nT/min, a possible GIC risk to the electric power systems. The responsible physical mechanisms were examined through magneto‐hydrodynamic model simulations and found that a prompt penetration of strong westward‐overshielding electric fields and ionospheric currents at the equator play a dominant role. This study provides some new insights into the extent of extreme geomagnetic field changes that can occur at the equatorial region due to solar wind density reduction at MC, which can have potential impacts on the electric power grid systems.

We describe a new NASA website that shows normalized magnetic field (B) magnitude profiles within Wind magnetic clouds (MCs) (i.e., observations versus basic model versus modified model) for 209 MCs observed from launch in late 1994 to July of 2015, where model modification is based on the studies of Lepping et al. (Solar Phys, 2017, 292:27) and Lepping et al. (Solar Phys, 2018, 293:162); the basic force free magnetic cloud parameter fitting model employing Bessel functions (Lepping et al., J. Geophys. Res., 1990, 95:11957) is called the LJB model here. The fundamental principles should be applicable to the B-data from any spacecraft at 1 AU. Earlier (in the LJB study), we justified why the field magnitude can be thought of as decoupled from the field direction within an MC, and further, we justified this idea in terms of actual observations seen over a few decades with examples of MCs from Wind data. The model modification is achieved by adding a correction (“Quad”) value to the LJB model (Bessel function) value in the following manner: B (est)/B0 ≈ [LJB Model + Quad (CA,u)], where B0 is the LJB-estimated field magnitude value on the MC’s axis, CA is the relative closest approach (See Supplementary Appendix A), and u is the distance that the spacecraft travels through the MC from its entrance point. In an average sense, the Quad technique is shown to be successful for 82% of the past modeled MCs, when Quality (Q0) is good or excellent (see Supplementary Appendix A). The Quad technique is successful for 78% of MCs when all cases are considered. So Q0 of the MC LJB-fit is not a big factor when the success of the Quad scheme is considered. In addition, it is found that the Quad technique does not work better for MC events with higher solar wind speed. Yearly occurrence frequency of all MC events (NYearly) and those MC events with ΔσN/σN2 ≥ 0.5 (NΔσN/σN2≥0.5) are well correlated, but there is no solar cycle dependence for normalizing NΔσN/σN2≥0.5 with NYearly.

Variations in the solar wind (SW) parameters with scales of several years are an important characteristic of solar activity and the basis for a long‐term space weather forecast. We examine the behavior of interplanetary parameters over 21–24 solar cycles (SCs) on the basis of the OMNI database (https://spdf.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/data/omni). Since changes in the parameters can be associated with both changes in the number of different large‐scale types of SW and with variations in the values of these parameters at different phases of the solar cycle and during the transition from one cycle to another, we select the entire study period in accordance with the Catalog of large‐scale SW types for 1976–2019 (see the site http://www.iki.rssi.ru/pub/omni, [Yermolaev, Nikolaeva, et al., 2009, https://doi.org/10.1134/s0010952509020014], which covers the period from 21 to 24 SCs) and in accordance with the phases of the cycles, and average the parameters at selected intervals. In addition to a sharp drop in the number of interplanetary coronal mass ejections and associated sheath types, there is a noticeable drop in the value (by 20%–40%) of plasma parameters and magnetic field in different types of solar wind at the end of the 20th century and a continuation of the fall or persistence at a low level in the 23–24 cycles. Such a drop in the solar wind is apparently associated with a decrease in solar activity and manifests itself in a noticeable decrease in space weather factors. Key Points: Solar wind parameter variations during 21–24 solar cycles (SCs) are studiedLarge‐scale interplanetary phenomena were selected and parameters of each phenomenon were averaged over phases of SCsDrop of parameters at minimum phase between 22 and 23 cycles is found [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present and discuss properties of the following magnetic field models in a magnetic cloud: Miller and Turner solution, modified Miller–Turner solution, Romashets–Vandas toroidal and integral models, and Krittinatham–Ruffolo model. Helicity of the magnetic field in all the models is the main feature of magnetic clouds. The first three models describe the magnetic field inside an ideal torus. In the integral model, parameters of a generating torus ambiguously determine the volume and form of the magnetic field region. In the Krittinatham–Ruffolo model, the cross-section radius of the torus is variable, thereby it corresponds more closely to the real form of magnetic clouds in the inner heliosphere. These models can be used to interpret in-situ observations of the magnetic flux rope, to study a Forbush decrease in magnetic clouds and transport effects of solar energetic particles injected into a coronal mass ejection.

Based on the OMNI database, the influence of the solar activity decrease in solar cycles (SCs) 23–24 on the behavior of the relative helium ions abundance Nα/Np inside interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) is investigated. The dependences of the helium abundance on the plasma and interplanetary magnetic field parameters in the epoch of high solar activity (SCs 21–22) and the epoch of low activity (SCs 23–24) are compared. It is shown that Nα/Np significantly decreased in SCs 23–24 compared to SCs 21–22. The general trends of the dependences have not changed with the change of epoch, but the helium abundance dependences on some parameters (for example, the magnitude of the interplanetary magnetic field) have become weaker in the epoch of low activity than they were in the epoch of high activity. In addition, the dependence of the helium abundance on the distance from spacecraft to the ICME axis was revealed; the clearest dependence is observed in magnetic clouds. The Nα/Np maximum is measured at the minimum distance, which confirms the hypothesis of the existence of a helium-enriched electric current inside an ICME.

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are one of the most energetic explosions in the solar system. It is generally accepted that CMEs result from eruptions of magnetic flux ropes, which are dubbed as magnetic clouds (MCs) in interplanetary space. The composition (including the ionic charge states and elemental abundances) is determined prior to and/or during CME eruptions in the solar atmosphere and does not alter during MC propagation to 1 AU and beyond. It has been known that the composition is not uniform within a cross section perpendicular to the MC axis, and the distribution of ionic charge states within a cross section provides us an important clue to investigate the formation and eruption processes of flux ropes due to the freeze-in effect. The flux rope is a three-dimensional magnetic structure intrinsically, and it remains unclear whether the composition is uniform along the flux rope axis as most MCs are only detected by one spacecraft. In this study, we report an MC that was observed by Advanced Composition Explorer at ∼1 AU during March 4–6, 1998, and Ulysses at ∼5.4 AU during March 24–28, 1998, sequentially. At these times, both spacecraft were located around the ecliptic plane, and the latitudinal and longitudinal separations between them were ∼2.2° and ∼5.5°, respectively. It provides us an excellent opportunity to explore the axial inhomogeneity of flux rope composition, as both spacecraft almost intersected the cloud center at different sites along its axis. Our study shows that the average values of ionic charge states exhibit significant difference along the axis for carbon, and the differences are relatively slight but still obvious for charge states of oxygen and iron as well as the elemental abundances of iron and helium. Besides the means, the composition profiles within the cloud measured by both spacecraft also exhibit some discrepancies. We conclude that the inhomogeneity of composition exists along the cloud axis.

We need a typical method of directly measuring geomagnetically induced current (GIC) to compare data for estimating a potential risk of power grids caused by GIC. Here, we overview GIC measurement systems that have appeared in published papers, note necessary requirements, report on our equipment, and show several examples of our measurements in substations around Tokyo, Japan. Although they are located at middle latitudes, GICs associated with various geomagnetic disturbances are observed, such as storm sudden commencements (SSCs) or sudden impulses (SIs) caused by interplanetary shocks, geomagnetic storms including a storm caused by abrupt southward turning of strong interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) associated with a magnetic cloud, bay disturbances caused by high-latitude aurora activities, and geomagnetic variation caused by a solar flare called the solar flare effect (SFE). All these results suggest that GIC at middle latitudes is sensitive to the magnetospheric current (the magnetopause current, the ring current, and the field-aligned current) and also the ionospheric current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three methods were used to analyze 17 large-scale local high-temperature regions with durations exceeding 2 h within magnetic clouds (MCs) observed by advanced composition explorer from 1998 to 2008. Results show that five of these large-scale regions may have been caused by flare heating; seven of the regions may have been caused by nonuniform expansion when MCs propagated in the solar-terrestrial space; four large-scale high temperature regions may likely result from combined non-uniform expansion and flare heating; and only one large-scale local high-temperature region was not related to either flare heating nor non-uniform expansion. No evidence indicated that magnetic reconnection occurred or had occurred within the high-temperature regions. Based on our results, we infer that such local high-temperature phenomena within MCs are caused primarily as a result of flare heating and non-uniform expansion, either separately or jointly, and that magnetic reconnection plays only a minor role in the formation of high-temperature regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) are magnetic structures propagating from the Sun's corona to the interplanetary medium. With over 20 years of observations at the L1 libration point, ACE offers hundreds of ICMEs detected at different times during several solar cycles and with different features such as the propagation speed. We investigate a revisited catalog of more than 400 ICMEs using the superposed epoch method on the mean, median, and the most probable values of the distribution of magnetic and plasma parameters. We also investigate the effects of the speed of ICMEs relative to the solar wind, the solar cycle, and the existence of a magnetic cloud on the generic ICME profile. We find that fast‐propagating ICMEs (relatively to the solar wind in front) still show signs of compression at 1 au, as seen by the compressed sheath and the asymmetric profile of the magnetic field. While the solar cycle evolution does not impact the generic features of ICMEs, there are more extreme events during the active part of the cycle, widening the distributions of all parameters. Finally, we find that ICMEs with or without a detected magnetic cloud show similar profiles, which confirms the hypothesis that ICMEs with no detected magnetic clouds are crossed further away from the flux rope core. Such a study provides a generic understanding of processes that shape the overall features of ICMEs in the solar wind and can be extended with future missions at different locations in the solar system. Plain Language Summary: Interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) are magnetized clouds of solar material expelled from the Sun's atmosphere into the interplanetary medium. In the present article, we use plasma and magnetic data from the NASA ACE mission positioned at the Lagrange 1 point and perform statistical studies over the 400 ICMEs detected over the last 20 years. Such an approach, called a superposed epoch analysis, provides a temporal description of the generic features of ICMEs. In particular, we find that ICMEs that propagate faster than their surrounding solar wind still show compressed regions of plasmas and stronger magnetic field. While we find that the 11‐year solar cycle does not affect the generic properties of ICMEs, we observe more extreme events during the active phase. Finally, we also find that a subset of ICMEs, called magnetic clouds and often associated with a stronger and more coherent magnetic field, have the same properties as other ICMEs. This confirms that most ICMEs may be magnetic clouds but which detection is limited by the spacecraft crossing. Such a study, based on long‐term heliospheric missions, allows us to probe physical processes that occur during the propagation of ICMEs, which can help better predict space weather and its consequences. Key Points: ICMEs relatively faster than the solar wind at 1 au show signs of compression throughout their substructuresICME profiles with and without a detected magnetic cloud are similar, showing that all may have MCs but crossed at different locationsThere is a wider range of population of ICMEs emitted during the active phase of the solar cycle while the typical profiles are the same [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ measurements of interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) composition, including elemental abundances and charge states of heavy ions, open a new avenue to study coronal mass ejections (CMEs) besides remote-sensing observations. The ratios between different elemental abundances can diagnose the plasma origin of CMEs (e.g., from the corona or chromosphere/photosphere) due to the first ionization potential (FIP) effect, which means elements with different FIPs get fractionated between the photosphere and corona. The ratios between different charge states of a specific element can provide the electron temperature of CMEs in the corona due to the freeze-in effect, which can be used to investigate their eruption process. In this review, we first give an overview of the ICME composition and then demonstrate their applications in investigating some important subjects related to CMEs, such as the origin of filament plasma and the eruption process of magnetic flux ropes. Finally, we point out several important questions that should be addressed further for better utilizing the ICME composition to study CMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is a continuation of our previous articles (Yermolaev et al., 2015, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JA021274; 2017, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-017-1205-1; 2018, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-018-1310-9), which describe the average temporal profiles of interplanetary plasma and field parameters in large‐scale solar‐wind (SW) streams: corotating interaction regions (CIRs), interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs including both magnetic clouds (MCs), and ejecta), and sheaths as well as interplanetary shocks (ISs). In this work, we analyze the average profile of helium abundance, Nα/Np, for 1976–2016. Our results confirm the main results that were obtained in earlier studies: Nα/Np is higher in quasi‐stationary fast streams than in slow ones; it slowly changes in compression regions CIRs and sheaths from values in undisturbed SW to values in the corresponding fast stream type pushing like a piston, in high‐speed stream (HSS) flow for CIRs, or in ICME for sheaths; in ejecta, it is close to the abundance observed in undisturbed streams, and it is maximal in MCs. For the first time, the results show that Nα/Np correlates with the proton β‐parameter in compression regions CIRs and sheath and anticorrelates in ICMEs. The Nα/Np versus β dependence is stronger in MCs than in ejecta and may be used as an indicator of conditions at the place on the Sun where CMEs are formed. Key Points: Dynamics of helium abundance in large‐scale interplanetary phenomena is studiedMagnetic clouds include electric current with high helium abundance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss Wind observations of a long and slow magnetic cloud (MC) propagating through large‐amplitude Alfvén waves (LAAWs). The MC axis has a strong component along GSE X, as also confirmed by a Grad‐Shafranov reconstruction. It is overtaking the solar wind at a speed roughly equal to the upstream Alfvén speed, leading to a weak shock wave 17 hr ahead. We give evidence to show that the nominal sheath region is populated by LAAWs: (i) a well‐defined de Hoffmann‐Teller frame in which there is excellent correlation between the field and flow vectors, (ii) constant field and total pressure, and (iii) an Alfvén ratio (i.e., ratio of kinetic‐to‐magnetic energy of the fluctuations) near unity at frequencies much lower than the ion cyclotron frequency in the spacecraft frame. In the region where the LAAWs approach the MC's front boundary there are field and flow discontinuities. At the first, magnetic reconnection is taking place, as deduced from a stress balance test (Walén test). This severs connection of some field lines to the Sun and the solar wind strahl disappears. There follows a 2‐hr interval where the magnetic field strength is diminished while pressure balance is maintained. Here the bidirectionality of the suprathermal electron flows is intermittently disrupted. This interval ends with a slow expansion fan downstream of which there is a dropout of halo electrons just inside the front boundary of the MC. This study illustrates an untypical case of a slow MC interacting with LAAWs in the slow solar wind. Key Points: Large‐amplitude Alfvén waves are reported in the sheath of a magnetic cloudReconnection at a discontinuity in the cloud sheath is followed by a slow expansion fanMagnetic cloud has an untypical orientation and is not force free [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic clouds (MCs) are flux rope magnetic structures forming a subset of solar coronal mass ejections, which have significant space weather impacts. The geoeffectiveness of MCs depends on their properties, which evolve during their interplanetary passage. Based on an analysis of observations spanning two solar cycles, we establish that MCs interacting with the ambient solar wind magnetic field (i.e., heliospheric open flux) lose a substantial amount of their initial magnetic flux via magnetic reconnection, which, in some cases, reduce their geoeffectiveness. We find a linear correlation between the eroded flux of MCs and solar open flux which is consistent with the scenario that MC erosion is mediated via the local heliospheric magnetic field draping around an MC during its interplanetary propagation. The solar open flux is governed by the sunspot cycle. This work therefore uncovers a hitherto unknown pathway for solar cycle modulation of the properties of MCs. Plain Language Summary: Vast eruptions of magnetized plasma from the Sun known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are the main contributors to severe space weather conditions. The magnetic properties of CMEs—which determine their geoeffectiveness—evolve during their interplanetary journey. Therefore, it is important to understand the physical processes that govern their evolution. Based on in situ satellite observations, and modeling here, we provide evidence that the magnetic flux of CME associated magnetic clouds erode over their interplanetary journey due to reconnection with the ambient heliospheric open flux. We also demonstrate that this flux erosion impacts the geoeffectiveness of magnetic clouds in some cases. This mechanism establishes a novel connection between the solar cycle variation of the heliospheric open flux and space weather in the vicinity of solar system planets. Key Points: Flux of magnetic clouds is eroded due to magnetic reconnection with the solar open flux, impacting their geoeffectiveness in some casesA linear relationship is observed between eroded and open flux with larger average flux erosion during the stronger Cycle 23 compared to 24We establish a solar cycle link to the evolution of magnetic cloud flux during their interplanetary propagation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small interplanetary magnetic flux ropes (SIMFRs) are often detected by space satellites in the interplanetary space near 1 AU. These ropes can be fitted by a cylindrically symmetric magnetic model. The durations of SIMFRs are usually <12 h, and the diameters of SIMFRs are <0.20 AU and show power law distribution. Most SIMFRs are observed in the typically slow solar wind (<500 km/s), and only several events are observed with high speed (>700 km/s). Some SIMFRs demonstrate abnormal heavy ion compositions, such as abnormally high He abundance, abnormally high average iron ionization, and enhanced O7+ abundance. These SIMFRs originate from remarkably hot coronal origins. Approximately 74.5% SIMFRs exhibit counter-streaming suprathermal electron signatures. Given their flux rope configuration, SIMFRs are potentially more effective for substorms. SIMFRs and magnetic clouds have many similar observational properties but also show some different observations. These similar properties may indicate that SIMFRs are the interplanetary counterparts of small coronal mass ejections. Some direct bodies of evidence have confirmed that several SIMFRs are interplanetary counterparts of CMEs. However, their different properties may imply that some SIMFRs have interplanetary origins. Therefore, one of the main aims of future research on SIMFRs is to determine whether SIMFRs originate from two different sources, that is, some events are formed in the solar coronal atmosphere, whereas others originate from the interplanetary space. Finally, in this paper, we offer some prospects that should be addressed in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic flux ropes, often observed during intervals of interplanetary coronal mass ejections, have long been recognized to be critical in space weather. In this work, we focus on magnetic flux rope structure but on a much smaller scale, and not necessarily related to interplanetary coronal mass ejections. Using near-Earth solar wind advanced composition explorer (ACE) observations from 1998 to 2016, we identified a total of 309 small-scale magnetic flux ropes (SMFRs). We compared the characteristics of identified SMFR events with those of normal magnetic cloud (MC) events available from the existing literature. First, most of the MCs and SMFRs have similar values of accompanying solar wind speed and proton densities. However, the average magnetic field intensity of SMFRs is weaker (~7.4 nT) than that of MCs (~10.6 nT). Also, the average duration time and expansion speed of SMFRs are ~2.5 hr and 2.6 km/s, respectively, both of which are smaller by a factor of ~10 than those of MCs. In addition, we examined the geoeffectiveness of SMFR events by checking their correlation with magnetic storms and substorms. Based on the criteria Sym-H < -50 nT (for identification of storm occurrence) and AL < -200 nT (for identification of substorm occurrence), we found that for 88 SMFR events (corresponding to 28.5 % of the total SMFR events), substorms occurred after the impact of SMFRs, implying a possible triggering of substorms by SMFRs. In contrast, we found only two SMFRs that triggered storms. We emphasize that, based on a much larger database than used in previous studies, all these previously known features are now firmly confirmed by the current work. Accordingly, the results emphasize the significance of SMFRs from the viewpoint of possible triggering of substorms.

Interplanetary coronal mass ejections are at the center of the research on geomagnetic activity. Sheaths, highly fluctuating structures, which can be found in front of fast interplanetary coronal mass ejections, are some of the least known geoeffective solar transients. Using Morlet transforms, we analyzed the magnetic fluctuations in a list of 42 well‐identified and isolated magnetic clouds driving a sheath and shock (Masías‐Meza et al., 2016, https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201628571. We studied the fluctuations inside sheaths by defining two quantities: the power and the anisotropy. With a simple statistical approach we found that sheaths, in particular, those driven by a fast magnetic cloud, encountering a highly turbulent solar wind, and forming a high Alfvén Mach number shock have high levels of turbulent energy (∼10 times compared with the solar wind) as well as a low anisotropy (approximately halved compared with the solar wind) of their fluctuations. On the other hand, the effect of the shock angle and plasma beta in the solar wind are less straightforward: If the shock is quasi‐parallel or the beta in the solar wind is high, both the turbulent energy in the sheaths and the anisotropy of the fluctuations are reduced; but for quasi‐perpendicular shocks or low beta solar wind the turbulent energy and anisotropy can take any value. Plain Language Summary: Solar flares are sometimes linked with the emission of interplanetary structures, which may collide with Earth. When this happens, it can lead to temporary changes in the magnetic field of Earth and possibly affect human technology. These effects are a subset of what is known as geoeffectiveness. We do have an idea of which types of structures may or may not have consequences on Earth, and, for example, magnetic clouds are quite well known for their large impact on the Earth magnetic field; however, we still struggle to understand the consequences of some puzzling interplanetary structures called sheaths. These can often be found preceding a magnetic cloud when the latter is fast enough to generate a shock wave. We think that one of the reasons these sheaths keep having surprising effects on the Earth's magnetic field is because they, themselves, are not yet very well known. The present paper aims at characterizing one of the key properties of sheaths: their magnetic fluctuations, that is, the rapid temporal variation of the magnetic field. We found that those fluctuations are indeed quite particular in sheaths: They have markedly more energy than in the usual solar wind (about 10 times more) and tend to change direction all the time. Conversely, in the solar wind, some directions seem to be privileged and the energy is relatively low. In this paper, we also show that these particular properties of the magnetic fluctuations are all the more pronounced when the magnetic cloud driving the sheath is moving faster and when the solar wind in front of the sheath already has strong fluctuations and magnetic pressure. This work gives us a better insight into the dynamics of the sheath, which may eventually improve our understanding of their geoeffectiveness. Key Points: The fluctuations in sheaths have increased power (∼10 times) and compressibility (∼2 times) compared to the solar wind'sThose characteristics depend on magnetic clouds' speed, preexisting fluctuations in the solar wind, and shock's parameters [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]