Difference between revisions of "FG: Magnetosphere-Aurora Connection"
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| + | == Abstract == | ||
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| + | The Magnetosphere-Aurora Connection (MAC) FG aims to advance the community’s understanding of the magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions linking magnetospheric plasma structures and auroral phenomena. Focusing on four key science questions, the FG will examine (1) the magnetic field mapping between the magnetosphere and aurora, (2) the magnetospheric processes driving auroral forms, (3) the relationships and ionospheric impacts of precipitation across energy ranges, and (4) how auroral electrodynamics informs the evolution of magnetospheric plasma structures. Leveraging recent advances in observations, modeling, and simulation—including data from emerging missions such as EZIE and SMILE—the FG will organize coordinated data analysis and modeling challenges to address these questions. The effort aligns with priority goals from the most recent Decadal Survey, providing new quantitative magnetic field models, characteristic precipitation spectra, and methodologies for auroral identification and electrodynamics. Over a proposed four-year term beginning in 2026, the FG will foster interdisciplinary collaboration through joint sessions with related focus groups and a series of workshops to disseminate findings and refine understanding of the dynamic magnetosphere-ionosphere system. Due to the structure of GEM as a working group style meeting, and the potential impact of this new paradigm on understanding the Geospace environment, GEM is the ideal venue through which to rigorously evaluate the newly proposed paradigms. Due to the importance of ground-based observations for the proposed topics, this focus group will encourage collaboration between GEM and CEDAR. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Science Topics == | ||
| + | |||
| + | The primary goal of the focus group is to advance GEM community’s understanding of the connection between the magnetosphere and aurora. Specific science questions are; | ||
| + | |||
| + | * How do magnetospheric plasma structures map to aurora? | ||
| + | * How do magnetospheric processes drive aurora? | ||
| + | * How is precipitation across energies linked to each other? How does precipitation across energies impact ionospheric processes? | ||
| + | * How does auroral electrodynamics inform the evolution of magnetospheric plasma structures? | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Focus Group Chairs == | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Toshi Nishimura (Boston University) | ||
| + | * Tetsuo Motoba (APL) | ||
| + | * Shannon Hill (University of Iowa) | ||
| + | * Bea Gallardo-Lacourt (NASA/CUA) | ||
Latest revision as of 10:14, 3 February 2026
Abstract
The Magnetosphere-Aurora Connection (MAC) FG aims to advance the community’s understanding of the magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions linking magnetospheric plasma structures and auroral phenomena. Focusing on four key science questions, the FG will examine (1) the magnetic field mapping between the magnetosphere and aurora, (2) the magnetospheric processes driving auroral forms, (3) the relationships and ionospheric impacts of precipitation across energy ranges, and (4) how auroral electrodynamics informs the evolution of magnetospheric plasma structures. Leveraging recent advances in observations, modeling, and simulation—including data from emerging missions such as EZIE and SMILE—the FG will organize coordinated data analysis and modeling challenges to address these questions. The effort aligns with priority goals from the most recent Decadal Survey, providing new quantitative magnetic field models, characteristic precipitation spectra, and methodologies for auroral identification and electrodynamics. Over a proposed four-year term beginning in 2026, the FG will foster interdisciplinary collaboration through joint sessions with related focus groups and a series of workshops to disseminate findings and refine understanding of the dynamic magnetosphere-ionosphere system. Due to the structure of GEM as a working group style meeting, and the potential impact of this new paradigm on understanding the Geospace environment, GEM is the ideal venue through which to rigorously evaluate the newly proposed paradigms. Due to the importance of ground-based observations for the proposed topics, this focus group will encourage collaboration between GEM and CEDAR.
Science Topics
The primary goal of the focus group is to advance GEM community’s understanding of the connection between the magnetosphere and aurora. Specific science questions are;
- How do magnetospheric plasma structures map to aurora?
- How do magnetospheric processes drive aurora?
- How is precipitation across energies linked to each other? How does precipitation across energies impact ionospheric processes?
- How does auroral electrodynamics inform the evolution of magnetospheric plasma structures?
Focus Group Chairs
- Toshi Nishimura (Boston University)
- Tetsuo Motoba (APL)
- Shannon Hill (University of Iowa)
- Bea Gallardo-Lacourt (NASA/CUA)
