Recent  

This manuscript summarises the results obtained by analysing the solar radio bursts detected by a single spectrogram installed at the University of Rwanda through the collaboration and the initiation of the Space weather initiative. We aimed to show that data gaps in African continent can be tracked by the deployment of sheap spectrograms but their regular maintenance matters. In addition, the results show that the observation at a single station is a clue to invent the gaps in space monitoring.

Extreme rainfall and floods pose natural hazards with major socio-economic and health impacts. It is shown that heavy rainfall tends to follow arrivals of high-speed solar wind streams. The role of atmospheric waves generated in the auroral region as the mechanism mediating the influence of solar wind on tropospheric weather is suggested. These waves can trigger instabilities, thus initiating convection and releasing latent heat, which is the energy leading to intensification of storms.

This paper is the first to simulate and analyse the pulsating aurorae impact on middle atmosphere on monthly/seasonal time scales. We find that pulsating aurorae has the potential to make a considerable contribution to the total energetic particle forcing and increase the impact on upper stratospheric odd nitrogen and ozone in the polar regions. Thus it should be considered in atmospheric and climate simulations.

On 15 October 2020, BepiColombo used Venus as a gravity assist to change its orbit to reach Mercury in late 2021. During this passage of Venus, the spacecraft entered into Venus's magnetotail at a distance of 70 Venus radii from the planet. We have studied the magnetic field and plasma data and find that Venus's magnetotail is highly active. This is caused by strong activity in the solar wind, where just before the flyby a coronal mass ejection interacted with the magnetophere of Venus.

There is great scientific interest in extending atmospheric models such as the Met Office’s Unified Model upwards to include the upper atmosphere. Atmospheric tides are an important driver of circulation at these greater heights. This study provides a first in depth analysis of the migrating and non-migrating components of these tides, examining important tidal properties. Our results show that the ExUM produces a rich spectrum of spatial modes, with non-migrating modes of significant amplitudes

The concept of electromotive force appears in various electromagnetic applications in geophysical and astrophysical fluids. The electromotive force is being recognized as serving as a useful tool to construct a more complete picture of space plasma turbulence, and has a potential to test for the fundamental processes of dynamo mechanism in space.

During geomagnetic storms, enhanced solar wind and changes in interplanetary magnetic field lead to ionisation anomalies spreading across the polar regions. The superstorm of 20 November 2003 was one of the largest events in recent history. Numerical simulations of ionospheric dynamics during the storm are compared with plasma observations to understand the mechanisms forming the polar plasma anomalies. The results are important for understanding and forecasting space weather in polar regions.

We investigate the reflection of MS waves at the local two-ion cutoff  frequency in the outer plasmasphere, which is  rarely reported. The observed wave signals demonstrate the reflection of at the local two-ion cutoff  frequency.  From  simulations,  the waves  with small incident angles are more likely to penetrate the thin layer where the group velocity reduces significantly before reflection. These results may help to predict the global distribution of MS waves.

In this study, we present the comparison between an auroral model and EISCAT radar electron densities during pulsating aurorae. We test whether an overpassing satellite measurement of the average energy spectrum is a reasonable estimate for pulsating aurora electron precipitation. When patchy pulsating aurora is dominant in the morning sector, the overpass averaged spectrum is found to be a reasonable estimate, but not when there is a mix of pulsating aurora types in the post-midnight sector.