Articles | Volume 44, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-855-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-855-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Regular paper
| Highlight paper
| 
27 Aug 2026
Regular paper | Highlight paper |
| 27 Aug 2026
| 27 Aug 2026
Dune aurora: survey from a citizen science database
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Liisa Juusola
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Noora Partamies
Department of Arctic Geophysics, The University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Norway
Emma Bruus
Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, University of Oulu, Sodankylä, Finland
Skywarden observation system, Ursa Astronomical Association, Helsinki, Finland
Joona Rautiainen
Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, University of Oulu, Sodankylä, Finland
Donna Lach
Aurorasaurus, New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM, USA
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Max van de Kamp
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Eero Karvinen
Skywarden observation system, Ursa Astronomical Association, Helsinki, Finland
Kirsti Kauristie
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Theresa Hoppe
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Related authors
Lena Mielke, Katie Herlingshaw, Noora Partamies, Maxime Grandin, Emma Bruus, Rowan Dayton-Oxland, Donna Lach, Marjan Spijkers, Vincent Ledvina, Eero Karvinen, Andres Spicher, Benjamin Eberhardt, and Olivier Staiger
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3756, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3756, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Annales Geophysicae (ANGEO).
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents 26 citizen science observations of fragmented aurora-like emissions, here called fragments, from around the world. Using auroral images and satellite and solar wind data, we found that these short-lived fragments appear across a wide range of magnetic latitudes and local times. They can occur not only poleward of the auroral oval, but also within and equatorward of it. These findings broaden where fragments are known to occur and highlight the value of citizen science.
Venla Koikkalainen, Maxime Grandin, Emilia Kilpua, Abiyot Workayehu, Ivan Zaitsev, Liisa Juusola, Shi Tao, Markku Alho, Lauri Pänkäläinen, Giulia Cozzani, Konstantinos Horaites, Jonas Suni, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 44, 227–243, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-227-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-227-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
We use a numerical simulation to study phenomena that occur between the Earth’s dipolar magnetic field and the nightside of near-Earth space. We observe the formation of large-scale vortex flows with scales of several Earth radii. On the ionospheric grid of the simulation we find that the field-aligned currents formed in the simulation reflect the vortex flow in the transition region. The main finding is that the vortex flow is a result of a combination of flow dynamics and a plasma instability.
Liisa Juusola, Ilkka Virtanen, Spencer Mark Hatch, Heikki Vanhamäki, Maxime Grandin, Noora Partamies, Urs Ganse, Ilja Honkonen, Abiyot Workayehu, Antti Kero, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 43, 755–781, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-755-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-755-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Key properties of the ionospheric electrodynamics are electric fields, currents, and conductances. They provide a window to the vast and distant near-Earth space, cause Joule heating that affect satellite orbits, and drive geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in technological conductor networks. We have developed a new method for solving the key properties of ionospheric electrodynamics from ground-based magnetic field observations.
Abiyot Workayehu, Minna Palmroth, Maxime Grandin, Liisa Juusola, Markku Alho, Ivan Zaitsev, Venla Koikkalainen, Konstantinos Horaites, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Markus Battarbee, and Jonas Suni
Ann. Geophys., 43, 723–737, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-723-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-723-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates the ionospheric signatures of a Bursty Bulk Flow in Earth’s magnetotail using a global 6D hybrid-Vlasov simulation coupled with an ionospheric model. The results show that a reconnection-driven Bursty Bulk Flow generates vortices that produce field-aligned currents, which map to the ionosphere with a distinct east–west orientation and exhibit a characteristic westward drift. Variations in ionospheric observables are identified as clear signatures of this flow.
Yann Pfau-Kempf, Konstantinos Papadakis, Markku Alho, Markus Battarbee, Giulia Cozzani, Lauri Pänkäläinen, Urs Ganse, Fasil Kebede, Jonas Suni, Konstantinos Horaites, Maxime Grandin, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 43, 469–488, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-469-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-469-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Flux ropes are peculiar structures of twisted magnetic field occurring in many regions of space, near Earth and other planets, at the Sun, and in astrophysical objects. We developed a new way of detecting flux ropes in large supercomputer simulations of near-Earth space, and we use it to follow the evolution of flux ropes for long distances past the Earth in the flow direction. This will be useful in future studies as these flux ropes are involved in the transport of matter and energy in space.
Noora Partamies, Rowan Dayton-Oxland, Katie Herlingshaw, Ilkka Virtanen, Bea Gallardo-Lacourt, Mikko Syrjäsuo, Fred Sigernes, Takanori Nishiyama, Toshi Nishimura, Mathieu Barthelemy, Anasuya Aruliah, Daniel Whiter, Lena Mielke, Maxime Grandin, Eero Karvinen, Marjan Spijkers, and Vincent E. Ledvina
Ann. Geophys., 43, 349–367, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-349-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-349-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the first broad band emissions, called continuum, in the dayside aurora. They are similar to Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE) with white-, pale-pink-, or mauve-coloured light. But unlike STEVE, they follow the dayside aurora forming rays and other dynamic shapes. We used ground optical and radar observations and found evidence of heating and upwelling of both plasma and neutral air. This study provides new information on conditions for continuum emission, but its understanding will require further work.
Tuomas Häkkilä, Maxime Grandin, Markus Battarbee, Monika E. Szeląg, Markku Alho, Leo Kotipalo, Niilo Kalakoski, Pekka T. Verronen, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 43, 217–240, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-217-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-217-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We study the atmospheric impact of auroral electron precipitation through the novel combination of both magnetospheric modelling and atmospheric modelling. We first simulate fluxes of auroral electrons and then use these fluxes to model their atmospheric impact. We find an increase of more than 200 % in thermospheric odd nitrogen and a corresponding decrease in stratospheric ozone of around 0.8 %. The produced auroral electron precipitation is realistic and shows potential for future studies.
Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Hongyang Zhou, Liisa Juusola, Abiyot Workayehu, Fasil Kebede, Konstantinos Papadakis, Maxime Grandin, Markku Alho, Markus Battarbee, Maxime Dubart, Leo Kotipalo, Arnaud Lalagüe, Jonas Suni, Konstantinos Horaites, and Minna Palmroth
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 511–527, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-511-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-511-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Vlasiator is a kinetic space plasma model that simulates the behavior of plasma, solar wind and magnetic fields in near-Earth space. So far, these simulations have been run without any interaction with the ionosphere, the uppermost layer of Earth's atmosphere. In this paper, we present the new methods that add an ionospheric electrodynamics model to Vlasiator, coupling it with the existing methods and presenting new simulation results of how space plasma and Earth's ionosphere interact.
Maxime Grandin, Emma Bruus, Vincent E. Ledvina, Noora Partamies, Mathieu Barthelemy, Carlos Martinis, Rowan Dayton-Oxland, Bea Gallardo-Lacourt, Yukitoshi Nishimura, Katie Herlingshaw, Neethal Thomas, Eero Karvinen, Donna Lach, Marjan Spijkers, and Calle Bergstrand
Geosci. Commun., 7, 297–316, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-7-297-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-7-297-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We carried out a citizen science study of aurora sightings and technological disruptions experienced during the extreme geomagnetic storm of 10 May 2024. We collected reports from 696 observers from over 30 countries via an online survey, supplemented with observations logged in the Skywarden database. We found that the aurora was seen from exceptionally low latitudes and had very bright red and pink hues, suggesting that high fluxes of low-energy electrons from space entered the atmosphere.
Maxime Grandin, Noora Partamies, and Ilkka I. Virtanen
Ann. Geophys., 42, 355–369, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-355-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-355-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Auroral displays typically take place at high latitudes, but the exact latitude where the auroral breakup occurs can vary. In this study, we compare the characteristics of the fluxes of precipitating electrons from space during auroral breakups occurring above Tromsø (central part of the auroral zone) and above Svalbard (poleward boundary of the auroral zone). We find that electrons responsible for the aurora above Tromsø carry more energy than those precipitating above Svalbard.
Konstantinos Papadakis, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Markus Battarbee, Markku Alho, Maxime Grandin, Maxime Dubart, Lucile Turc, Hongyang Zhou, Konstantinos Horaites, Ivan Zaitsev, Giulia Cozzani, Maarja Bussov, Evgeny Gordeev, Fasil Tesema, Harriet George, Jonas Suni, Vertti Tarvus, and Minna Palmroth
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 7903–7912, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7903-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7903-2022, 2022
Short summary
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Vlasiator is a plasma simulation code that simulates the entire near-Earth space at a global scale. As 6D simulations require enormous amounts of computational resources, Vlasiator uses adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) to lighten the computational burden. However, due to Vlasiator’s grid topology, AMR simulations suffer from grid aliasing artifacts that affect the global results. In this work, we present and evaluate the performance of a mechanism for alleviating those artifacts.
Vertti Tarvus, Lucile Turc, Markus Battarbee, Jonas Suni, Xóchitl Blanco-Cano, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Markku Alho, Maxime Dubart, Maxime Grandin, Andreas Johlander, Konstantinos Papadakis, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 39, 911–928, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-911-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-911-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We use simulations of Earth's magnetosphere and study the formation of transient wave structures in the region where the solar wind first interacts with the magnetosphere. These transients move earthward and play a part in the solar wind–magnetosphere interaction. We show that the transients are a common feature and their properties are altered as they move earthward, including an increase in temperature, decrease in solar wind speed and an alteration in their propagation properties.
Lena Mielke, Katie Herlingshaw, Noora Partamies, Maxime Grandin, Emma Bruus, Rowan Dayton-Oxland, Donna Lach, Marjan Spijkers, Vincent Ledvina, Eero Karvinen, Andres Spicher, Benjamin Eberhardt, and Olivier Staiger
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3756, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3756, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Annales Geophysicae (ANGEO).
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents 26 citizen science observations of fragmented aurora-like emissions, here called fragments, from around the world. Using auroral images and satellite and solar wind data, we found that these short-lived fragments appear across a wide range of magnetic latitudes and local times. They can occur not only poleward of the auroral oval, but also within and equatorward of it. These findings broaden where fragments are known to occur and highlight the value of citizen science.
Vanina Lanabere, Stephan Buchert, Adrian Blagau, Harriet George, Sota Nanjo, Liisa Juusola, Andrew P. Dimmock, Samuel Wharton, Heikki Vanhamäki, Octav Marghitu, Louis Richard, Lei Cai, Alice V. L. Wallner, Daria Kotova, Yaqi Jin, Theresa Hoppe, Jennifer A. Carter, and Anita Aikio
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2997, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2997, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
We studied a series of fast plasma streams that connected Earth’s nightside magnetic environment with the high‑latitude ionized upper atmosphere on 7 December 2023. Using satellite, auroral images and ground observations, we showed how each stream disturbed the upper atmosphere. Their repeated impact strengthened these disturbances until a substorm began, revealing how small events can build up to a larger magnetic disruption.
Noora Partamies and Mikko Syrjäsuo
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2388, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2388, 2026
Short summary
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We developed a method to prune colour all-sky images into classes of clear or cloudy skies with and without aurora using supervised learning and pre-trained convolutional neural networks. We investigate a 10-year database of auroral images taken from Svalbard. The method accuracy is well over 90%, and the results show that about 2/3 of auroral images are cloudy with the cloudiest month being November. Aurora are most often observed in the morning hours independent on the solar activity.
Venla Koikkalainen, Maxime Grandin, Emilia Kilpua, Abiyot Workayehu, Ivan Zaitsev, Liisa Juusola, Shi Tao, Markku Alho, Lauri Pänkäläinen, Giulia Cozzani, Konstantinos Horaites, Jonas Suni, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 44, 227–243, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-227-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-227-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
We use a numerical simulation to study phenomena that occur between the Earth’s dipolar magnetic field and the nightside of near-Earth space. We observe the formation of large-scale vortex flows with scales of several Earth radii. On the ionospheric grid of the simulation we find that the field-aligned currents formed in the simulation reflect the vortex flow in the transition region. The main finding is that the vortex flow is a result of a combination of flow dynamics and a plasma instability.
Liisa Juusola, Ari Viljanen, Ilja Honkonen, Magnar Gullikstad Johnsen, Andrew Dimmock, Vanina Lanabere, and Alice Wallner
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1110, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1110, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
During severe space storms, the induced geoelectric field has the potential to cause substantial problems in power grids. We examine the geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) the geoelectric field would have driven in a simple model power grid located in Northern Europe during the May 2024 superstorm. Our results help us understand how the complicated interaction between the driving from space and the response of the conducting ground produces the most intense GIC peaks.
Rowan Dayton-Oxland, Fiona Ball, Daniel Whiter, Srimoyee Samaddar, Noora Partamies, Mathieu Barthelemy, Katie Herlingshaw, and Eero Karvinen
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5317, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5317, 2025
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GHOST is a pale mauve aurora, usually seen near noon in Svalbard during polar night, emitting a continuum spectrum across the visible range. Our fitting of high-resolution spectra shows that GHOST emission is best explained by extremely hot nitrogen and oxygen molecules, not by the more scarce nitrous oxide which is usually assumed. We propose that strong ionospheric flows, daylight, and incoming solar‑wind particles combine to heat the upper atmosphere, priming it to produce GHOST aurora.
Rumi Nakamura, Thierry Dudok de Wit, Geraint H. Jones, Matt G. G. T. Taylor, Nicolas André, Charlotte Goetz, Lina Z. Hadid, Laura A. Hayes, Heli Hietala, Caitríona M. Jackman, Larry Kepko, Aurélie Marchaudon, Adam Masters, Mathew Owens, Noora Partamies, Stefaan Poedts, Jonathan Rae, Yuri Shprits, Manuela Temmer, Daniel Verscharen, and Robert F. Wimmer-Schweingruber
Ann. Geophys., 43, 855–879, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-855-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-855-2025, 2025
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Heliophysics spans a wide range of disciplines covering the study of the Sun and the different Solar System bodies, such as Earth and other planets, moons, comets, and asteroids, and their interactions with the Sun, focusing on plasma and atmospheric processes. A grass-roots effort has been recently started toward establishing a European Heliophysics Community (https://www.heliophysics.eu/). This white paper outlines the motivation, priorities, and a future vision of Heliophysics in Europe.
Liisa Juusola, Ilkka Virtanen, Spencer Mark Hatch, Heikki Vanhamäki, Maxime Grandin, Noora Partamies, Urs Ganse, Ilja Honkonen, Abiyot Workayehu, Antti Kero, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 43, 755–781, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-755-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-755-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Key properties of the ionospheric electrodynamics are electric fields, currents, and conductances. They provide a window to the vast and distant near-Earth space, cause Joule heating that affect satellite orbits, and drive geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in technological conductor networks. We have developed a new method for solving the key properties of ionospheric electrodynamics from ground-based magnetic field observations.
Abiyot Workayehu, Minna Palmroth, Maxime Grandin, Liisa Juusola, Markku Alho, Ivan Zaitsev, Venla Koikkalainen, Konstantinos Horaites, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Markus Battarbee, and Jonas Suni
Ann. Geophys., 43, 723–737, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-723-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-723-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates the ionospheric signatures of a Bursty Bulk Flow in Earth’s magnetotail using a global 6D hybrid-Vlasov simulation coupled with an ionospheric model. The results show that a reconnection-driven Bursty Bulk Flow generates vortices that produce field-aligned currents, which map to the ionosphere with a distinct east–west orientation and exhibit a characteristic westward drift. Variations in ionospheric observables are identified as clear signatures of this flow.
Yann Pfau-Kempf, Konstantinos Papadakis, Markku Alho, Markus Battarbee, Giulia Cozzani, Lauri Pänkäläinen, Urs Ganse, Fasil Kebede, Jonas Suni, Konstantinos Horaites, Maxime Grandin, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 43, 469–488, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-469-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-469-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Flux ropes are peculiar structures of twisted magnetic field occurring in many regions of space, near Earth and other planets, at the Sun, and in astrophysical objects. We developed a new way of detecting flux ropes in large supercomputer simulations of near-Earth space, and we use it to follow the evolution of flux ropes for long distances past the Earth in the flow direction. This will be useful in future studies as these flux ropes are involved in the transport of matter and energy in space.
Noora Partamies, Rowan Dayton-Oxland, Katie Herlingshaw, Ilkka Virtanen, Bea Gallardo-Lacourt, Mikko Syrjäsuo, Fred Sigernes, Takanori Nishiyama, Toshi Nishimura, Mathieu Barthelemy, Anasuya Aruliah, Daniel Whiter, Lena Mielke, Maxime Grandin, Eero Karvinen, Marjan Spijkers, and Vincent E. Ledvina
Ann. Geophys., 43, 349–367, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-349-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-349-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the first broad band emissions, called continuum, in the dayside aurora. They are similar to Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE) with white-, pale-pink-, or mauve-coloured light. But unlike STEVE, they follow the dayside aurora forming rays and other dynamic shapes. We used ground optical and radar observations and found evidence of heating and upwelling of both plasma and neutral air. This study provides new information on conditions for continuum emission, but its understanding will require further work.
Liisa Juusola, Heikki Vanhamäki, Elena Marshalko, Mikhail Kruglyakov, and Ari Viljanen
Ann. Geophys., 43, 271–301, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-271-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-271-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Interaction between the magnetic field of the rapidly varying electric currents in space and the conducting ground produces an electric field at the Earth's surface. This geoelectric field drives geomagnetically induced currents in technological conductor networks, which can affect the performance of critical ground infrastructure such as electric power transmission grids. We have developed a new method suitable for monitoring the geoelectric field based on ground magnetic field observations.
Tuomas Häkkilä, Maxime Grandin, Markus Battarbee, Monika E. Szeląg, Markku Alho, Leo Kotipalo, Niilo Kalakoski, Pekka T. Verronen, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 43, 217–240, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-217-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-217-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We study the atmospheric impact of auroral electron precipitation through the novel combination of both magnetospheric modelling and atmospheric modelling. We first simulate fluxes of auroral electrons and then use these fluxes to model their atmospheric impact. We find an increase of more than 200 % in thermospheric odd nitrogen and a corresponding decrease in stratospheric ozone of around 0.8 %. The produced auroral electron precipitation is realistic and shows potential for future studies.
Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Hongyang Zhou, Liisa Juusola, Abiyot Workayehu, Fasil Kebede, Konstantinos Papadakis, Maxime Grandin, Markku Alho, Markus Battarbee, Maxime Dubart, Leo Kotipalo, Arnaud Lalagüe, Jonas Suni, Konstantinos Horaites, and Minna Palmroth
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 511–527, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-511-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-511-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Vlasiator is a kinetic space plasma model that simulates the behavior of plasma, solar wind and magnetic fields in near-Earth space. So far, these simulations have been run without any interaction with the ionosphere, the uppermost layer of Earth's atmosphere. In this paper, we present the new methods that add an ionospheric electrodynamics model to Vlasiator, coupling it with the existing methods and presenting new simulation results of how space plasma and Earth's ionosphere interact.
Maxime Grandin, Emma Bruus, Vincent E. Ledvina, Noora Partamies, Mathieu Barthelemy, Carlos Martinis, Rowan Dayton-Oxland, Bea Gallardo-Lacourt, Yukitoshi Nishimura, Katie Herlingshaw, Neethal Thomas, Eero Karvinen, Donna Lach, Marjan Spijkers, and Calle Bergstrand
Geosci. Commun., 7, 297–316, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-7-297-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-7-297-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We carried out a citizen science study of aurora sightings and technological disruptions experienced during the extreme geomagnetic storm of 10 May 2024. We collected reports from 696 observers from over 30 countries via an online survey, supplemented with observations logged in the Skywarden database. We found that the aurora was seen from exceptionally low latitudes and had very bright red and pink hues, suggesting that high fluxes of low-energy electrons from space entered the atmosphere.
Maxime Grandin, Noora Partamies, and Ilkka I. Virtanen
Ann. Geophys., 42, 355–369, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-355-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-355-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Auroral displays typically take place at high latitudes, but the exact latitude where the auroral breakup occurs can vary. In this study, we compare the characteristics of the fluxes of precipitating electrons from space during auroral breakups occurring above Tromsø (central part of the auroral zone) and above Svalbard (poleward boundary of the auroral zone). We find that electrons responsible for the aurora above Tromsø carry more energy than those precipitating above Svalbard.
Noora Partamies, Bas Dol, Vincent Teissier, Liisa Juusola, Mikko Syrjäsuo, and Hjalmar Mulders
Ann. Geophys., 42, 103–115, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-103-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-103-2024, 2024
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Auroral imaging produces large amounts of image data that can no longer be analyzed by visual inspection. Thus, every step towards automatic analysis tools is crucial. Previously supervised learning methods have been used in auroral physics, with a human expert providing ground truth. However, this ground truth is debatable. We present an unsupervised learning method, which shows promising results in detecting auroral breakups in the all-sky image data.
Mizuki Fukizawa, Yoshimasa Tanaka, Yasunobu Ogawa, Keisuke Hosokawa, Tero Raita, and Kirsti Kauristie
Ann. Geophys., 41, 511–528, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-511-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-511-2023, 2023
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We use computed tomography to reconstruct the three-dimensional distributions of the Hall and Pedersen conductivities of pulsating auroras, a key research target for understanding the magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling process. It is suggested that the high-energy electron precipitation associated with pulsating auroras may have a greater impact on the closure of field-aligned currents in the ionosphere than has been previously reported.
Liisa Juusola, Ari Viljanen, Noora Partamies, Heikki Vanhamäki, Mirjam Kellinsalmi, and Simon Walker
Ann. Geophys., 41, 483–510, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-483-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-483-2023, 2023
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At times when auroras erupt on the sky, the magnetic field surrounding the Earth undergoes rapid changes. On the ground, these changes can induce harmful electric currents in technological conductor networks, such as powerlines. We have used magnetic field observations from northern Europe during 28 such events and found consistent behavior that can help to understand, and thus predict, the processes that drive auroras and geomagnetically induced currents.
Liisa Juusola, Ari Viljanen, Andrew P. Dimmock, Mirjam Kellinsalmi, Audrey Schillings, and James M. Weygand
Ann. Geophys., 41, 13–37, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-13-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-13-2023, 2023
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We have examined events during which the measured magnetic field on the ground changes very rapidly, causing a risk to technological conductor networks. According to our results, such events occur when strong electric currents in the ionosphere at 100 km altitude are abruptly modified by sudden compression or expansion of the magnetospheric magnetic field farther in space.
Daniel K. Whiter, Noora Partamies, Björn Gustavsson, and Kirsti Kauristie
Ann. Geophys., 41, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-1-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-1-2023, 2023
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We measured the height of green and blue aurorae using thousands of camera images recorded over a 7-year period. Both colours are typically brightest at about 114 km altitude. When they peak at higher altitudes the blue aurora is usually higher than the green aurora. This information will help other studies which need an estimate of the auroral height. We used a computer model to explain our observations and to investigate how the green aurora is produced.
Konstantinos Papadakis, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Urs Ganse, Markus Battarbee, Markku Alho, Maxime Grandin, Maxime Dubart, Lucile Turc, Hongyang Zhou, Konstantinos Horaites, Ivan Zaitsev, Giulia Cozzani, Maarja Bussov, Evgeny Gordeev, Fasil Tesema, Harriet George, Jonas Suni, Vertti Tarvus, and Minna Palmroth
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 7903–7912, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7903-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7903-2022, 2022
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Vlasiator is a plasma simulation code that simulates the entire near-Earth space at a global scale. As 6D simulations require enormous amounts of computational resources, Vlasiator uses adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) to lighten the computational burden. However, due to Vlasiator’s grid topology, AMR simulations suffer from grid aliasing artifacts that affect the global results. In this work, we present and evaluate the performance of a mechanism for alleviating those artifacts.
Noora Partamies, Daniel Whiter, Kirsti Kauristie, and Stefano Massetti
Ann. Geophys., 40, 605–618, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-605-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-605-2022, 2022
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We investigate the local time behaviour of auroral structures and emission height. Data are collected from the Fennoscandian Lapland and Svalbard latitutes from 7 identical auroral all-sky cameras over about 1 solar cycle. The typical peak emission height of the green aurora varies from 110 km on the nightside to about 118 km in the morning over Lapland but stays systematically higher over Svalbard. During fast solar wind, nightside emission heights are 5 km lower than during slow solar wind.
Mirjam Kellinsalmi, Ari Viljanen, Liisa Juusola, and Sebastian Käki
Ann. Geophys., 40, 545–562, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-545-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-545-2022, 2022
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Eruptions from the Sun can pose a hazard to Earth's power grids via, e.g., geomagnetically induced currents (GICs). We study magnetic measurements from Fennoscandia to find ways to understand and forecast GIC. We find that the direction of the time derivative of the magnetic field has a short
reset time, about 2 min. We conclude that this result gives insight on the current systems high in Earth’s atmosphere, which are the main driver behind the time derivative’s behavior and GIC formation.
Mizuki Fukizawa, Takeshi Sakanoi, Yoshimasa Tanaka, Yasunobu Ogawa, Keisuke Hosokawa, Björn Gustavsson, Kirsti Kauristie, Alexander Kozlovsky, Tero Raita, Urban Brändström, and Tima Sergienko
Ann. Geophys., 40, 475–484, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-475-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-475-2022, 2022
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The pulsating auroral generation mechanism has been investigated by observing precipitating electrons using rockets or satellites. However, it is difficult for such observations to distinguish temporal changes from spatial ones. In this study, we reconstructed the horizontal 2-D distribution of precipitating electrons using only auroral images. The 3-D aurora structure was also reconstructed. We found that there were both spatial and temporal changes in the precipitating electron energy.
Sebastian Käki, Ari Viljanen, Liisa Juusola, and Kirsti Kauristie
Ann. Geophys., 40, 107–119, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-107-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-107-2022, 2022
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During auroral substorms, the ionospheric electric currents change rapidly, and a large amount of energy is dissipated. We combine ionospheric current data derived from the Swarm satellite mission with the substorm database from the SuperMAG ground magnetometer network. We obtain statistics of the strength and location of the currents relative to the substorm onset. Our results show that low-earth orbit satellites give a coherent picture of the main features in the substorm current system.
Vertti Tarvus, Lucile Turc, Markus Battarbee, Jonas Suni, Xóchitl Blanco-Cano, Urs Ganse, Yann Pfau-Kempf, Markku Alho, Maxime Dubart, Maxime Grandin, Andreas Johlander, Konstantinos Papadakis, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys., 39, 911–928, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-911-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-911-2021, 2021
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We use simulations of Earth's magnetosphere and study the formation of transient wave structures in the region where the solar wind first interacts with the magnetosphere. These transients move earthward and play a part in the solar wind–magnetosphere interaction. We show that the transients are a common feature and their properties are altered as they move earthward, including an increase in temperature, decrease in solar wind speed and an alteration in their propagation properties.
Pekka T. Verronen, Antti Kero, Noora Partamies, Monika E. Szeląg, Shin-Ichiro Oyama, Yoshizumi Miyoshi, and Esa Turunen
Ann. Geophys., 39, 883–897, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-883-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-883-2021, 2021
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This paper is the first to simulate and analyse the pulsating aurorae impact on middle atmosphere on monthly/seasonal timescales. We find that pulsating aurorae have 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.
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Editorial statement
Dune aurora is a phenomenon which has only recently been reported in the scientific literature. This paper builds upon the earlier reports of this phenomenon by presenting the first statistical study of dune aurora. This work is interesting and valuable also because it draws on citizens' observations and insights. This will foster their interest in upper atmospheric phenomena at high latitudes, as well as in the scientific interpretation of these phenomena and future research.
Dune aurora is a phenomenon which has only recently been reported in the scientific literature....
Short summary
Dune aurora is an intriguing phenomenon recently discovered thanks to citizen science. It is a dim, diffuse auroral form exhibiting wave-like stripes of brighter emission. We carry out the first statistical study of dune aurora, using 308 observation reports submitted to the Skywarden database by citizen scientists from Europe, North America, and Oceania. We find that dunes are an evening phenomenon, most often reported in March and October and associated with currents in the auroral atmosphere.
Dune aurora is an intriguing phenomenon recently discovered thanks to citizen science. It is a...
