Feedback Mechanisms and Energy Dynamics in the Coupled Magnetosphere - Ionosphere System

The study of magnetosphere–ionosphere interactions is central to understanding near-Earth space weather phenomena. Traditionally, it has been assumed that the magnetosphere primarily drives ionospheric responses. However, emerging satellite and ground-based observations challenge this view, suggesting that the ionosphere can also significantly influence magnetospheric dynamics. Current research highlights the importance of examining the coupled feedback loops between these two systems, especially during substorm onset: a critical period with significant implications for geomagnetic disturbances. Although there are notable studies in this domain, a comprehensive understanding of bidirectional energy transfer and nonlinear feedback mechanisms remains elusive.This Research Topic aims at uncovering the nonlinear feedback loops within the magnetosphere-ionosphere system that materialize during substorm onset. By developing a coupled assimilation framework, the project seeks to merge global magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the magnetosphere with high-resolution ionospheric electrodynamic models. These models are further refined and constrained using a diverse range of observational datasets such as Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS), Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS), Space Weather Atmospheric Reconfigurable Multiscale (Swarm), SuperDARN radar, and auroral imagery. This innovative approach seeks to ascertain whether variations in ionospheric return currents and conductivity can instigate or amplify magnetospheric instabilities, thereby decode the dynamics governing substorm triggers.To gather further insights into the intricate interplay of energy within this coupled feedback system, we invites contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Development and application of advanced data assimilation techniques like ensemble Kalman filter and variational assimilation in the context of space weather studies.• Analysis of ionospheric return currents and their influence on magnetospheric stability and substorm timing.• Exploration of threshold conditions affecting substorm initiation and suppression.• Identification of new diagnostic markers for predicting substorm intensity.• Event studies investigating weak and strong substorms to assess the influence of ionospheric feedback loops.• Magnetospheric energy storage and release mechanisms.• Auroral dynamics and field-aligned current systems.• Multi-scale modelling and coupling processes.• Machine learning applications in substorm analysis.By advancing our understanding of the nonlinear coupling processes between the magnetosphere and ionosphere, this study anticipates broader impacts that strengthen operational space weather forecasts, thus improving communication, GPS reliability, and power grid stability. Dr. Shishir Priyadarshi is employed as Senior Researcher, Technical Lead, Project Manager, ML-GNSS Engineer by GMV NSL UK, Oxford, United Kingdom.Dr. Rajesh Tiwari is employed as Senior Scientist by QinetiQ UK, Lincoln and Honorary Fellow, University of Nottingham, UK.Dr. Sampad Kumar Panda declares no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject. Topic editors: Shishir Priyadarshi, Sampad Kumar Panda, Rajesh Tiwari Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75870/feedback-mechanisms-and-energy-dynamics-in-the-coupled-magnetosphere---ionosphere-system