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Atmosphere
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Research and Space-Based Exploration on Space Plasma
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Research and Space-Based Exploration on Space Plasma

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Planetary Atmospheres".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2025 | Viewed by 39156

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Aibing Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Interests: space plasma; space exploration; instrumentation for space exploration
Dr. Lei Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Interests: space physics; space plasma; space magnetic field

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Space plasma is found widely, whether in near Earth or deep space. It is the main subject investigated in the field of space physics and space weather, and affects not only human’s space activities but also has major implications for socioeconomic life. Its characteristics have been studied and explored for more than half a century, but remain many mysteries to be researched and explored.

The aim of this Special Issue is to demonstrate the newly measured and studied characteristics of space plasma and will mainly focus on the following aspects:

  • The most recent results and related research about space plasma based on data from space missions (especially those from Chinese missions and from joint research conducted with international missions);
  • The development of new instrument designs for space plasma exploration for current or future space missions;
  • The modeling and simulation of different space plasma.

The research areas and topics of discussion include the ionosphere and magnetosphere of the Earth, the solar wind, the space plasma near extraterrestrial objects (e.g. the moon, the Mars, asteroids and comets), etc.

Prof. Dr. Aibing Zhang
Dr. Lei Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • space plasma
  • ionosphere and magnetosphere of the Earth
  • the solar wind
  • plasma near the Moon and the Mars
  • plasma near asteroids and comets
  • data analysis
  • instrument design
  • modeling and simulation

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

8 pages, 1943 KiB  
Article
A Forgotten Aurora: Revisiting the 19 March 1950 Aurora Australis Through Historical Records
by Víctor M. S. Carrasco and José M. Vaquero
Atmosphere 2025, 16(5), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16050615 - 18 May 2025
Viewed by 98
Abstract
This study investigates the aurora australis event of 19 March 1950, which was reported across multiple locations in Australia, including Hobart, Sydney, and as far north as Goondiwindi. Despite its significance as a historical space weather event, this aurora has received little attention [...] Read more.
This study investigates the aurora australis event of 19 March 1950, which was reported across multiple locations in Australia, including Hobart, Sydney, and as far north as Goondiwindi. Despite its significance as a historical space weather event, this aurora has received little attention in the scientific literature. Using contemporary news reports from The Sydney Morning Herald and Mercury, we reconstruct the characteristics of the event. Observers described vivid red and green auroral displays with streamers, indicative of intense geomagnetic activity. The associated geomagnetic storm reached a Kp index of 7+. We have estimated the magnetic disturbance peak of −278 nT (±15 nT) from measurements made in the Kakioka Magnetic Observatory. This would place it among the top 50 most intense storms recorded since 1957, according to the Dst index, though still significantly below the most extreme events. Notably, this aurora is absent from modern auroral catalogs, and no documented observations from the Northern Hemisphere have been identified. These findings underscore the critical role of historical records in advancing our understanding of auroral phenomena and their relationship with solar activity. Given the provisional nature of this study, further historical documents may yet emerge, providing additional insights into this event and its broader space weather context. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Space-Based Exploration on Space Plasma)
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15 pages, 4164 KiB  
Article
Deep Learning-Based Vertical Decomposition of Ionospheric TEC into Layered Electron Density Profiles
by Jialiang Zhang, Jianxiang Zhang, Zhou Chen, Jingsong Wang, Cunqun Fan and Yan Guo
Atmosphere 2025, 16(5), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16050598 - 15 May 2025
Viewed by 147
Abstract
This study proposes a deep learning-based vertical decomposition model for ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC), which establishes a nonlinear mapping from macroscale TEC data to vertically layered electron density (Ne) spanning 60–800 km by integrating geomagnetic indices (AE, SYM-H) and solar activity parameters [...] Read more.
This study proposes a deep learning-based vertical decomposition model for ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC), which establishes a nonlinear mapping from macroscale TEC data to vertically layered electron density (Ne) spanning 60–800 km by integrating geomagnetic indices (AE, SYM-H) and solar activity parameters (F10.7). Utilizing global TEC grid data (spatiotemporal resolution: 1 h/5.625° × 2.8125°) provided by the International GNSS Service (IGS), a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) model was developed, taking spatiotemporal coordinates, altitude, and space environment parameters as inputs to predict logarithmic electron density ln(Ne). Experimental validation against COSMIC-2 radio occultation observations in 2019 demonstrates the model’s capability to capture ionospheric vertical structures, with a prediction performance significantly outperforming the International Reference Ionosphere model IRI-2020: root mean square error (RMSE) decreased by 34.16%, and the coefficient of determination (R2) increased by 28.45%. This method overcomes the reliance of traditional electron density inversion on costly radar or satellite observations, enabling high-spatiotemporal-resolution global ionospheric profile reconstruction using widely available GNSS-TEC data. It provides a novel tool for space weather warning and shortwave communication optimization. Current limitations include insufficient physical interpretability and prediction uncertainty in GNSS-sparse regions, which could be mitigated in future work through the integration of physical constraints and multi-source data assimilation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Space-Based Exploration on Space Plasma)
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16 pages, 5570 KiB  
Article
Determining the Axial Orientations of a Large Number of Flux Transfer Events Sequentially Observed by Cluster during a High-Latitude Magnetopause Crossing
by Zhaoyu Li, Tao Chen and Lei Li
Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1215; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101215 - 11 Oct 2024
Viewed by 719
Abstract
Flux transfer events (FTEs) are magnetic structures generally believed to originate from time-varying magnetic reconnection at the Earth’s magnetopause. Despite years of research, the mechanism of how FTEs are formed through reconnection remains controversial. In various models, FTEs exhibit different global configurations. Studying [...] Read more.
Flux transfer events (FTEs) are magnetic structures generally believed to originate from time-varying magnetic reconnection at the Earth’s magnetopause. Despite years of research, the mechanism of how FTEs are formed through reconnection remains controversial. In various models, FTEs exhibit different global configurations. Studying the FTE axial orientation can provide insights into their global shape, thereby helping to distinguish the generation mechanisms. In this paper, taking advantage of the orbital characteristics of the four Cluster spacecraft, we devised a multi-spacecraft timing method to determine the axes of a total of 57 FTEs observed sequentially by Cluster during a high-latitude duskside magnetopause crossing. During the nearly five-hour observation, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) experienced a large rotation, leading to a substantial rotation of the magnetosheath magnetic field. The analysis results show two new features of the FTE axis that have not been reported before: (1) the axes of the FTEs gradually rotate in response to the turning of the IMF and the magnetosheath magnetic field; (2) the axes of the FTEs vary between the direction of the magnetosheath magnetic field and the direction of the reconnection X-line. These features indicate that FTEs may have a more complex global configuration than depicted by traditional FTE models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Space-Based Exploration on Space Plasma)
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14 pages, 4074 KiB  
Article
FY-3E Satellite Plasma Analyzer
by Zheng Tian, Aibing Zhang, Xiangzhi Zheng, Linggao Kong, Bin Su, Bin Liu, Jianjing Ding, Wenjing Wang, Chao Liu, Yulong Lv, Jun Gao and Ling Ma
Atmosphere 2024, 15(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15010014 - 21 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1503
Abstract
The FY-3E satellite plasma analyzer marks China’s first detection of the characteristics, occurrence, and development of the typical plasma environment in the dawn–dusk orbit space. It provides data source support for operational space weather alerts and forecasts, helps ensure the in-orbit safety of [...] Read more.
The FY-3E satellite plasma analyzer marks China’s first detection of the characteristics, occurrence, and development of the typical plasma environment in the dawn–dusk orbit space. It provides data source support for operational space weather alerts and forecasts, helps ensure the in-orbit safety of the satellite, and accumulates space environment detection data for space environment modeling and space physics research. This paper gives a detailed introduction to the detection technology adopted by the FY-3E satellite plasma analyzer. We calibrated its performance through a calibration experiment and then analyzed and compared it with similar instruments in China. It is indicated that the instrument is capable of measuring an ion energy spectrum of 24 eV~32 keV and an electron energy spectrum of 23.7 eV~31.6 keV, its field of view reaches 180° × 90°, and the inversed measurement range of spacecraft absolute potential is better than −30 kV~+30 kV. All these contribute to a notably improved technology for plasma and satellite potential detection of China’s LEO satellites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Space-Based Exploration on Space Plasma)
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14 pages, 10699 KiB  
Article
Ground Calibration and In-Flight Performance of the Low Energy Particle Analyzer on FY-4B
by Bin Su, Anqin Chen, Mohan Liu, Linggao Kong, Aibing Zhang, Zheng Tian, Bin Liu, Xinyue Wang, Wenjing Wang, Xiaoxin Zhang, Weiguo Zong, Xiangzhi Zheng and Jinsong Wang
Atmosphere 2023, 14(12), 1834; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14121834 - 18 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1489
Abstract
The FY-4B satellite is one of the second generation of China’s geosynchronous meteorological satellites aiming at numerical weather forecasts. The space environment monitoring package (SEMP) onboard the FY-4B is a comprehensive instrument package for plasma, high-energy particle, and energetic neutral particle measurements. The [...] Read more.
The FY-4B satellite is one of the second generation of China’s geosynchronous meteorological satellites aiming at numerical weather forecasts. The space environment monitoring package (SEMP) onboard the FY-4B is a comprehensive instrument package for plasma, high-energy particle, and energetic neutral particle measurements. The low-energy particle analyzer (LEPA) is one of the instruments of the SEMP and consists of two top hat electrostatic analyzers designed for plasma detection. The electron and ion sensors are back-to-back assembled and are integrated to a shared electronic box. It measures the three-dimensional velocity distribution of low-energy electrons and ions on the geosynchronous orbit. In this paper, we present the ground calibration and in-flight performance of the instrument. With the electrostatic deflectors and the cylindrically symmetric structure, the instrument provides high-cadence measurements of electron and ion velocity distributions with a wide field of view (FOV) of 180° by 100°, an angular resolution of 16.7° × 20°, and a broad energy range for both the electrons and ions from tens of eV to above 30 keV, with a 1 s time resolution. The geometric factors of the electron and ion analyzers are 1.1 × 10−3 cm2·sr·eV/eV and 1.4 × 10−3 cm2·sr·eV/eV, respectively, which fulfills the requirements of the low-energy plasma measurement. The LEPA monitored typical space environment disturbance such as geomagnetic storms and successfully recorded the responses of plasma energy fluxes. Satellite surface charging events were measured, with the highest potentials of −2000 V in the shadow period and −500 V in the nonshadow period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Space-Based Exploration on Space Plasma)
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10 pages, 4549 KiB  
Communication
The Plasma In Situ Detection on China’s Space Station Wentian Module: Instrument Description and First Results
by Chao Liu, Aibing Zhang, Xianguo Zhang, Yueqiang Sun, Yibing Guan, Wenjing Wang, Bin Liu and Xiangzhi Zheng
Atmosphere 2023, 14(12), 1805; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14121805 - 9 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1462
Abstract
The plasma in situ detector is a multi-sensor package designed to in situ measure the bulk parameters of the local ionospheric plasma. The plasma in situ detector is comprised of three sensors: Langmuir probe (LP), retarding potential analyzer (RPA) and ion drift meter [...] Read more.
The plasma in situ detector is a multi-sensor package designed to in situ measure the bulk parameters of the local ionospheric plasma. The plasma in situ detector is comprised of three sensors: Langmuir probe (LP), retarding potential analyzer (RPA) and ion drift meter (IDM). LP measures electron density and temperature. RPA measures ion density, temperature and ion horizontal velocity. IDM measures the transverse horizontal component of the ram velocity. The plasma in situ detector has been installed outside the wentian module cabin, and the boom has been successfully deployed which extends the spherical sensor of LP beyond the sheath of the cabin. RPA and IDM were installed at the front of the experiment package, with the horizontal axis direction along the forward flight direction of the space station. This paper discusses the general performance characteristics of the in situ detector, the functional performance of each sensor, and initial results of some classical ionospheric features being observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Space-Based Exploration on Space Plasma)
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25 pages, 1429 KiB  
Article
Catalog of Geomagnetic Storms with Dst Index ≤ −50 nT and Their Solar and Interplanetary Origin (1996–2019)
by Rositsa Miteva and Susan W. Samwel
Atmosphere 2023, 14(12), 1744; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14121744 - 27 Nov 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 31528
Abstract
We present a comprehensive catalog of geomagnetic storms (GSs) with a Dst index ≤−50 nT detected during solar cycles (SCs) 23 and 24 (1996–2019). About 550 events were identified in the Kyoto database and used as a starting point for this [...] Read more.
We present a comprehensive catalog of geomagnetic storms (GSs) with a Dst index ≤−50 nT detected during solar cycles (SCs) 23 and 24 (1996–2019). About 550 events were identified in the Kyoto database and used as a starting point for this study. The solar origin of the GSs, in terms of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar flares (SFs), and in situ-observed energetic particles, was identified where possible using temporal constraints and wide Earth-directed ejecta. In addition, any accompanied interplanetary (IP) sources, such as ICMEs and IP shock waves detected at 1 AU, are also considered. The resulting occurrence rates and correlation plots are presented and discussed in the space weather framework. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Space-Based Exploration on Space Plasma)
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13 pages, 5139 KiB  
Article
Plasma Analyzer for the Chinese FY-3E Satellite: In-Orbit Performance and Ground Calibration
by Xinyue Wang, Xiaoxin Zhang, Jinhua Wang, Cong Huang, Jiawei Li, Aibing Zhang, Linggao Kong, Dan Du, Yong Yang, Pengfei Zhang, Bin Su, Bin Liu and Zheng Tian
Atmosphere 2023, 14(11), 1665; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14111665 - 9 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1217
Abstract
The plasma analyzer (PMA) on the Fengyun-3E (FY-3E) meteorological satellite series is a critical sensor of the space environment monitoring package that is capable of the comprehensive in situ detection of the thermal plasma environment and surface discharge effects. In this paper, we [...] Read more.
The plasma analyzer (PMA) on the Fengyun-3E (FY-3E) meteorological satellite series is a critical sensor of the space environment monitoring package that is capable of the comprehensive in situ detection of the thermal plasma environment and surface discharge effects. In this paper, we conducted a thorough evaluation of the PMA’s performance and reliability through a combination of ground-based laboratory calibration and in-orbit testing. During the ground-based calibration, the PMA underwent assessments for the energy range, field of view (FOV), and measurement accuracy, and obtained the detection accuracy and the geometric factors. During the in-orbit testing, the PMA successfully obtained the typical distribution characteristics of low-energy ions and electrons in orbital space regions, as well as the precipitating particles in the middle and high latitudes of both hemispheres. Notably, the PMA observed an expansion of the particle distribution in the high-latitude regions during a moderate geomagnetic storm. The results from both the ground-based calibration and in-orbit testing demonstrated that the PMA met the requirements for thermal plasma detection, with reliable and scientifically valid in-orbit detection data. These results provide a crucial foundation for studying spatial weather variations, improving the accuracy of space environment forecasts and enhancing disaster detection and monitoring capabilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Space-Based Exploration on Space Plasma)
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