This study uses images taken by the Swedish satellite MATS (Mesospheric Airglow Tomography and Spectroscopy) to conduct a statistical analysis of the molecular oxygen atmospheric band emissions in the aurora. This auroral emission can not be observed from the ground, making it one of the least understood auroral emissions. Our results provide a new dataset with information on the peak altitude, geomagnetic location, and auroral intensity of 378 events detected between February and April 2023.

A configuration of field-aligned currents (FACs) that can explain the rapid variation in the geomagnetic field in mid-latitude Europe on 29 October 2003 was recently proposed. Interestingly, this specific system of the FACs might also explain the famous Carrington event on 2 September 1859. By analysing the declination observed in mid-latitude Europe on 29 October 2003, we confirmed an important feature of the proposed current system, the westward movement of one of the FACs.

It is often the case that only magnetic field data are available for in situ planetary studies using spacecraft. Either plasma data are not available or the data resolution is limited. Nevertheless, the theory of plasma instability tells us how to interpret the magnetic field data (wave frequency) in terms of flow speed and beam velocity, generating the instability. We invent an analysis tool for Mercury's upstream waves as an example.