Study reveals insights into space weather forecasting

New Delhi [India], September 20 : A recent study conducted by scientists at the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, has shed light on the importance of understanding energetic ion variations during substorm intervals for improving the accuracy of space weather forecasting.
Substorms, which are brief disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere, play a crucial role in the dynamics of the Earth's magnetic field, read the Ministry of Science and Technology press release.
During these substorms, there is a reconfiguration of the local magnetic field, transforming it from a stretched tail-like shape to a quasi-dipole-like configuration.

This transformation results in an increase in heavy ion flux in the inner magnetosphere.
The occurrence of magnetospheric substorms depends on various factors, including the magnitude and direction of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF), solar wind velocity, and solar wind dynamic pressure, read the press release.
Specifically, a southward direction of the IMF is necessary for substorm events as it leads to magnetic reconnection in the dayside magnetosphere.
These substorms typically last for about 2-4 hours and involve the transfer of a significant amount of energy, around 10^15 Joules, from the solar wind to the magnetosphere, read the press release.
Over time, this energy is deposited in the inner magnetosphere, impacting the dynamics of the space environment close to Earth.
To gain insights into the dynamics of substorms and their impact on the ion flux in the magnetosphere, scientists at IIG conducted a statistical study using data from the Helium, Oxygen, Proton, and Electron (HOPE) Mass Spectrometer and Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS) instrument on board the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) spacecraft, read the release.
The study focused on 22 substorm events that occurred in 2018. It aimed to understand key characteristics of magnetic field dipolarization, such as its time scale and its influence on the energetic O+ and H+ ion flux.
The study's findings provided valuable insights into the role of the plasma sheet in transporting and accelerating ions during substorms, read the release.
Of particular interest was the significant variation in the flux of O+ and H+ ions, which can impact the dynamics of the geospace—the region of space near Earth where satellites, including GPS and geostationary orbit satellites, operate.
Understanding these ion flux variations and their causes can help scientists improve the accuracy of space weather forecasting. Notably, while geospace typically consists mainly of H+ ions, there are instances when the proportion of O+ ions increases abruptly, read the release.
Detecting and analyzing these changes in ion composition can provide valuable data for space weather forecasting, ensuring the safety and functionality of space-based technologies.
The study, published in the journal Advances in Space Research, marks a significant step toward enhancing our understanding of space weather and our ability to predict and mitigate its effects in the future.