The study uses data from soundings of the SABER satellite to examine the mesospheric inversion layer (MIL) and the related gravity wave energy and instability. In the mesosphere and lower-thermosphere (MLT) region, upper inversions occur with less than 40 % frequency, while the lower inversions are below 20 %. High gravity wave energy (~100 J/kg) in the upper MLT (85–90 km) is linked to instability, driving inversion phenomena. Conversely, the trend is less pronounced in the lower-MLT region.

This study, for the first time, convincingly attests to the two-step geospace storm being the best possible solar–terrestrial event of opportunity for realizing a technique for estimating the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B_z component threshold for the formation of the substorm current wedge. The data from INTERMAGNET magnetometer network on the two-step geospace 23–24 April 2023 storm yield the IMF B_z threshold for the formation of the substorm current wedge of –(22–30) nT.

Our research examines solar wind interactions with magnetic structures from the Sun. Observations at different longitudes near the ecliptic plane show the progression of interactions between a co-rotating interaction region and a magnetic-cloud-like structure. These interactions cause significant changes, including compression and wave formation, enhancing our understanding of the complex nature of solar wind impacting Earth's magnetic environment.

The amplitude of subionospheric very low-frequency (VLF) radio signals does not show a symmetrical behavior over the year, which would be expected from its dependency on the solar position. The VLF amplitude rather shows a distinctive sharp decrease around October, which is hence called the "October effect". This study is the first to systematically investigate this October effect, which shows a clear latitudinal dependency.

Total electron content (TEC) affects the GPS (Global Positioning System) signal propagation and applications of GPS signals like positioning. Here, we study long-term trends in TEC. TEC trends are regionally different and predominantly negative; all statistically significant trends are negative. TEC trends reveal a clear wavenumber 2 longitudinal structure in low/equatorial latitudes, with strong negative trends in belts 0–60° E and 180–240° E and weak trends in belts 90–150° E and 270–330° E.

This study analyzes changes in the ionospheric response to solar flux over five complete solar cycles (1957 to 2023). We use Juliusruh hourly data of the peak electron density of the F2 layer, NmF2, and three solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation proxies. The response is better represented by a cubic regression, and F30 shows the highest correlation for describing NmF2 dependence over time. These results reveal a decrease in NmF2 influenced by the intensity of the solar activity index.

This study explores how solar sunspot number (Sn) compares with other solar indicators like solar radio fluxes in predicting changes in Earth's ionosphere, particularly its critical frequency, over more than 60 years. The work finds that Sn, despite recent fluctuations in other proxies, remains the most stable predictor across all time periods. When adjusting for potential data saturation, Sn outperforms other proxies, providing a more accurate forecast of long-term ionospheric trends.

The EISCAT_3D radar is a new ionospheric radar under construction in the Fennoscandia region. The radar will make measurements of plasma characteristics at altitudes above approximately 60 km. The capability of the system to make these measurements at spatial scales of less than 100 m using multiple digitised signals from each of the radar antenna panels is highlighted. There are many ionospheric small-scale processes that will be further resolved using the techniques discussed here.

The coming seven-spacecraft Plasma Observatory and nine-spacecraft HelioSwarm will achieve seven–nine-point magnetic measurements. In this study, a new algorithm is generated to calculate linear and quadratic magnetic gradients from such magnetic measurements so as to obtain the complete geometry of the magnetic structures observed. The tests verify the feasibility of the method. The algorithm can thus be applied to the analysis of magnetic field data from the Plasma Observatory and HelioSwarm.

We analyzed the average magnetopause position influenced by solar winds and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) using data from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS), Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP), and Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission from 2016–2020. Minimal movement occurred during substorm phases. The magnetopause moved to its closest inward position during the growth phase and relaxed from peak to recovery as in Shue's model.

The boundary of Earth's magnetic field, the magnetopause, deflects and reacts to the solar wind, the energetic particles emanating from the Sun. We find that certain types of solar wind favour the occurrence of deviations between the magnetopause locations observed by spacecraft and those predicted by models. In addition, the turbulent region in front of the magnetopause, the foreshock, has a large influence on the location of the magnetopause and thus on the accuracy of the model predictions.