Recent  

We analyze magnetopause location, influenced by solar wind and IMF. Shue's (1998) model predicts its position based on solar wind pressure & IMF B_z. We investigate its location under northward/southward IMF & substorms using Shue's model & THEMIS/RBSP/MMS data. We observe significant magnetopause compression during strong northward/southward IMF around substorm peak.

In our study, we looked at the boundary between the Earth's magnetic field and the interplanetary magnetic field emitted by the Sun, called the magnetopause. While other studies focus on the magnetopause motion near Earth's equator, we have studied it in polar regions. The motion of the magnetopause is faster towards the Earth than towards the Sun. We also found that the occurrence of unusual magnetopause locations is due to similar solar influences in the equatorial and in the polar regions.

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 on spatial scales of less than 100 m using the 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 electric state of the Earth’s atmosphere is manifested in the surface electric potential gradient (PG). In fair weather the PG should follow the variation of the global source of electric current in the atmosphere, called the global electric circuit. The PG is also influenced by local conditions. We use long-term series of PG and analyse PG variations during conditions of low aerosol concentrations to minimise the aerosol influence on PG obscuring its change due to the global source.

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.