FG: Magnetosphere-Aurora Connection

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)

2026 GEM Workshop

Monday 7/13 03:30-05:00pm (VT/NH): Panel Discussion on Fundamental Questions

Panelists:

• Eric Donovan (University of Calgary, invited)
• Robert Lysak (University of Minnesota, invited)
• Tuija Pulkkinen (University of Michigan, invited)
• Shin Ohtani (APL, invited)

Tuesday 7/14 10:30am-noon (VT/NH): M-I mapping

Research on M-I mapping. The first three are related talks using the SST19 ML mapping method. The session also covers EZIE and CINEMA.

• Misha Sitnov (APL, invited): Structure of the cislunar magnetotail and its low-altitude mapping
• Kat Davidson (Boston University): Magnetic field mapping using ASIs/radars
• Anton Artemyev (UT Arlington, online): Magnetic field mapping using LEO satellites
• Tetsuo Motoba (APL): Linkage Between Stormtime Auroral Streamers and Magnetospheric Dynamics
• Ari Gottesman (University of Michigan): Self-Consistent Auroras in Global Geospace Modeling
• Slava Merkin (APL): EZIE
• Adam Michael (APL): CINEMA OSSE results

Wednesday 7/15 10:30am-noon (Mass): Precipitation

Research on precipitation, including TRACERS.

• Sergei Kamaletdinov (UCLA, online): TRACERS
• Sarah Henderson (University of Iowa): Cloudy with a Chance of Electrons: A TRACERS-2 Observation of Polar Rain and Polar Showers
• Weiqin Sun (UT Dallas): time-dependent composite auroral and energetic electron precipitation model
• Yang Mei (UT Dallas): IBe-ISS observations
• Sheng Tian (UCLA): Using temporal correlation analysis to study magnetospheric drivers for auroral structures
• Shannon Hill (University of Iowa): Chorus-pulsating aurora
• Lillian Daneshmand (University of Iowa): Modulation Mechanisms of Lower-Band Chorus During Pulsating Aurora Events
• Andy Minot (University of Iowa): Energy inversion of ground-based data from pulsating aurora spectral emissions

Friday 7/17 10:30am-noon (CT/RI): Joint with MPEC&MESO

Talks relevant to the joint session, summaries of the MPEC and MESO FGs, and open questions.

• Xiaojia Zhang (UT Dallas, online): energetic electron precipitation
• Christine Gabrielse (Aerospace Corporation): Data-Informed Conductivity Profiles: Their Evolution in Three Dimensions Over Time During a CME Main Phase
• Anton Artemyev (UT Arlington, online): Toward CINEMA
• MPEC FG leads: Summary and open questions
• MESO FG leads: Summary and open questions
• MAC FG leads: Discuss how the MAC FG could address some of the questions.