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Abstract Using the latest coupled geospace model Multiscale Atmosphere‐Geospace Environment (MAGE) and observations from Jicamarca Incoherent scatter radar (ISR) and ICON ion velocity meter (IVM) instrument, we examine the pre‐reversal enhancement (PRE) during geomagnetic quiet time period. The MAGE shows comparable PRE to both the Jicamarca ISR and ICON observations. There appears to be a discrepancy between the Jicamarca ISR and ICON IVM with the later showed PRE about two times larger (∼40 m/s). This is the first time that MAGE is used to simulate the PRE. The results show that the MAGE can simulate the PRE well and are mostly consistent with observations. 

Abstract Using theHighattitude Interferometer WIND observation balloon and Antarctic Jang Bogo station high latitude conjugate observations of the thermospheric winds we investigate the seasonal and hemispheric differences between the northern and southern hemispheres in June 2018. We found that the summer (northern) hemisphere dayside meridional winds have a double‐hump feature, whereas in the winter (southern) hemisphere the dayside meridional winds have a single hump feature. We attribute that to stronger summer, perhaps, northern hemisphere cusp heating. We also compared the observation with NCAR Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) model. The TIEGCM reproduced the double‐hump feature because of added cusp heating. The summer hemisphere has stronger anti‐sunward winds. This is the first time we have very high latitude conjugate thermospheric wind observations. 

Abstract We study the variations of the topside ionospheric ion density measured by Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellites during the intense magnetic storm on 7–10 November 2004. It is found for the first time that quasi‐periodic enhancements in the ion density with a period of ∼6 hr occur nearly simultaneously at 0630, 0830, and 0930 local time in the dawn sector during the storm main phase with southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The quasi‐periodic density enhancements extend from the southern subauroral latitudes to the northern subauroral latitudes. In the dusk sector, the topside ion density during the storm main phase is increased at middle latitudes for ∼12 hr but shows decrease or relatively small increase over the magnetic equator, indicating that penetration electric fields dominate the ion density redistribution. Similar quasi‐periodic enhancements in the topside ion density are also observed in the dawn sector during other intense magnetic storms. The solar wind and IMF do not have quasi‐periodic variations in this storm case. Periodic processes in geospace, such as periodic substorms in the magnetosphere, waves and tides in the atmosphere, and traveling ionospheric disturbances, cannot explain the observed periodic enhancements of the ionospheric ion density. We suggest that the magnetosphere‐ionospheric‐thermospheric system may have an intrinsic period of ∼6 hr and that oscillations of the magnetosphere‐ionospheric‐thermospheric system with this period can be excited during intense magnetic storms, although the mechanisms for the generation of the long‐periodic oscillations are not understood. 

Abstract Solar eruptions cause geomagnetic storms in the near‐Earth environment, creating spectacular aurorae visible to the human eye and invisible dynamic changes permeating all of geospace. Just equatorward of the aurora, radars and satellites often observe intense westward plasma flows called subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) in the dusk‐to‐midnight ionosphere. SAPS occur across a narrow latitudinal range and lead to intense frictional heating of the ionospheric plasma and atmospheric neutral gas. SAPS also generate small‐scale plasma waves and density irregularities that interfere with radio communications. As opposed to the commonly observed duskside SAPS, intense eastward subauroral plasma flows in the morning sector were recently discovered to have occurred during a super storm on 20 November 2003. However, the origin of these flows termed “dawnside SAPS” could not be explained by the same mechanism that causes SAPS on the duskside and has remained a mystery. Through real‐event global geospace simulations, here we demonstrate that dawnside SAPS can only occur during major storm conditions. During these times, the magnetospheric plasma convection is so strong as to effectively transport ions to the dawnside, whereas they are typically deflected to the dusk by the energy‐dependent drifts. Ring current pressure then builds up on the dawnside and drives field‐aligned currents that connect to the subauroral ionosphere, where eastward SAPS are generated. The origin of dawnside SAPS explicated in this study advances our understanding of how the geospace system responds to strongly disturbed solar wind driving conditions that can have severe detrimental impacts on human society and infrastructure. 

We simulated the Nov 3-4, 2021 geomagnetic storm event penetrating electric field using the Multiscale Atmosphere-Geospace Environment (MAGE) model and compared with the NASA ICON observation. The ICON observation showed sudden enhancement of the vertical ion drift when the penetrating electric field arrived at the equatorial region. The MAGE model simulated vertical ion drifts have the similarly fast enhancement that shown in the ICON data at the same UT time and satellite location. Hence, ICON ion drift data was able to verify MAGE simulation, which couples the magnetospheric model was able to simulate the penetrating electric field very well. 

The Earth’s upper atmosphere (85–550 km) is the nearest region of geospace and is highly dynamic in nature. Neutral winds impact a large portion of the dynamics in this region. They play a critical role in determining the state of the ionosphere-thermosphere system at almost all latitudes and altitudes. Their influences range from wave breaking/dissipation in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere to global redistribution of energy and momentum deposited at high latitudes by the magnetosphere. Despite their known importance, global geospace neutral winds have remained one of the least sampled state parameters of the Earth’s upper atmosphere and are still poorly characterized even after multiple decades of observations. This paper presents an overview of historical neutral wind measurements and the critical need for their global height-resolved measurements. Some satellite missions are still operational and deliver valuable information on the contribution of neutral winds in global atmospheric dynamics. However, many significant gaps remain in their global monitoring, and our current understanding of the drivers of neutral winds is incomplete. We discuss the challenges posed by these measurement gaps in understanding geospace physics and weather. Further, we propose some wind observation solutions, including the simultaneous operations of upcoming NASA DYNAMIC and GDC missions as well as support for the development of ground-based observing methodologies, that will lead to fundamental advances in geospace science and address humanity’s emerging space needs.