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Atmosphere
Special Issues
Advances in Observation and Simulation Studies of Ionosphere
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Advances in Observation and Simulation Studies of Ionosphere

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 2592

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Aleksandra Kolarski

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Guest Editor
Institute of Physics Belgrade, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: space weather studies; solar–terrestrial interactions; ionospheric plasma processes; ionospheric modeling; subionospheric radio propagation; remote sensing of lower ionosphere; natural hazards; geophysics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Vladimir Sreckovic

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Guest Editor
Institute of Physics Belgrade, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: solar astrophysics; space weather studies of the upper atmosphere; astrogeoinformatics; databases; natural hazards
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mihailo Savić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Physics Belgrade, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: space weather; cosmic rays; atmospheric effects; coronal mass ejection; numerical methods; machine learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Filip Arnaut

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Physics, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: machine learning; atmospheric effects; space weather studies; geophysics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The focus of this Special Issue is highly relevant and up-to-date research across diverse scientific areas related to Earth's ionosphere. We invite contributions primarily across geophysics, space sciences, atmospheric sciences, and data sciences to foster the publication of the newest advances and innovations. Through an interdisciplinary approach, this Special Issue aims to highlight recent developments in both observational techniques and simulation-based studies related to the Earth's ionosphere. Emphasis is on improving our understanding of Earth's ionosphere's dynamics and its response to various influences, both of geophysical and solar origins. Earth's ionosphere poses a critical region that influences our modern life, including satellite communication and navigation systems, transposing impacts of space weather and other phenomena originating in space, as well as of terrestrial origins, so accurate modeling and real-time observations of the ionosphere are vital for both scientific and practical applications, including impacts, consequences, and possible forecasting.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, studies related to:

  • Ground-based and satellite-based observation systems (e.g., GNSS, ionosondes, incoherent scatter radars, VLF/LF radio signal systems) in ionospheric research;
  • Data assimilation techniques and remote sensing advancements in ionospheric research;
  • Numerical and physics-based ionospheric models;
  • Studies on ionospheric irregularities, storms, and coupling with the magnetosphere and thermosphere;
  • Machine learning and AI applications in ionospheric research;
  • Comparative analysis of model predictions and observational data in ionospheric research;
  • Impacts of ionospheric variability on communication, navigation, and surveillance systems;
  • Interactions between ionospheric dynamics and human health.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Aleksandra Kolarski
Prof. Dr. Vladimir Sreckovic
Dr. Mihailo Savić
Dr. Filip Arnaut
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • earth’s ionosphere research
  • space weather impacts on communication
  • satellite navigation and ionosphere
  • ground-based ionospheric observation systems
  • data assimilation in ionospheric studies
  • physics-based ionospheric models
  • ionospheric irregularities and storms
  • machine learning in space science
  • ionosphere and human health interactions
  • real-time ionospheric monitoring and forecasting

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 12433 KB  
Article
Atmospheric Loss of Energetic Electrons and Protons from the Radiation Belts After the Exceptional Injection of the 11 May 2024 Superstorm Leading to Four Electron Belts
by Viviane Pierrard and Alexandre Winant
Atmosphere 2026, 17(3), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17030324 - 22 Mar 2026
Viewed by 394
Abstract
The exceptionally strong geomagnetic storm of 10–11 May 2024 injected new energetic protons and electrons into the terrestrial radiation belts, creating extraordinary conditions to study the loss mechanisms scattering these particles into the atmosphere after the storm. For the first time, four electron [...] Read more.
The exceptionally strong geomagnetic storm of 10–11 May 2024 injected new energetic protons and electrons into the terrestrial radiation belts, creating extraordinary conditions to study the loss mechanisms scattering these particles into the atmosphere after the storm. For the first time, four electron belts were observed during several weeks. We show that this structure was due to electron loss, highly dependent on specific positions. Using the proton and electron fluxes measured by the Energetic Particle Telescope, EPT, on board PROBA-V, we determine the lifetimes of these populations depending on their energy ranges and positions. We show that the lifetimes are much longer for protons than for electrons, which enables us to determine their time variations independently. For electrons, the wave–particle loss mechanisms depend on the background ionosphere–plasmasphere density. The lifetimes determined after the May 2024 and 10 October 2024 big events are compared with average ones to understand their unusual specificity for the formation of four and three belts, respectively. For the injected protons of 9.5 to 13 MeV, the lifetime is minimum at L~1.9, where the fluxes are maximum, showing a lifetime depending on the flux intensity. Loss is due to pitch angle diffusion and collisions with electrons and nuclei in the ambient plasma and neutral atmosphere. At the outer edge of the proton belt, the flux is depleted at all energies after the geomagnetic perturbation, and we determine that the progressive time of refilling after the storm generally reaches more than 40 days. There is an excellent discrimination between the different populations of energetic electrons (0.5–8 MeV) and the injected protons (9.5–13 MeV) that are still observed several months after the event. Such results contribute to advancing understanding of the interactions between the terrestrial atmosphere and space radiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Observation and Simulation Studies of Ionosphere)
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19 pages, 2683 KB  
Article
First Major Eruption of Solar Cycle 25: Impacts of the 3 July 2021 X1.59 Solar Flare on the Ionosphere and Primary Cosmic Rays
by Vladimir A. Srećković, Nikola Veselinović, Aleksandra Kolarski, Mihailo Savić, Žarko Medić, Milica Langović and Filip Arnaut
Atmosphere 2026, 17(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17020180 - 10 Feb 2026
Viewed by 631
Abstract
The X1.59 solar flare on 3 July 2021, was the first X-class flare of Solar Cycle 25 and the first since the X-class flare on 10 September 2017. This event was notable for producing a rare geomagnetic crochet, a temporary and localized perturbation [...] Read more.
The X1.59 solar flare on 3 July 2021, was the first X-class flare of Solar Cycle 25 and the first since the X-class flare on 10 September 2017. This event was notable for producing a rare geomagnetic crochet, a temporary and localized perturbation in Earth’s magnetic field during the flare’s peak. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first VLF-based analysis of this event, as well as the first comprehensive multi-instrument investigation of it. VLF observations from the NAA and DHO transmitters were used to investigate the ionospheric response via amplitude and phase variations. Key low ionosphere parameters, including the effective reflection height, sharpness factor, time delay and electron density profiles were derived. The results reveal rapid ionospheric responses closely correlated with X-ray flux peaks, including sudden phase and amplitude perturbations indicative of increased low ionosphere ionization and the geomagnetic crochet effect. Simultaneously, cosmic-ray measurements from ground detectors showed negligible modulation and no significant Forbush decrease, consistent with the flare’s weak and partially Earth-directed CME. Also, the spectrum of energetic protons measured in-situ in near-Earth space shows little disturbance. This integrated study demonstrates the sensitivity of the lower ionosphere to intense solar radiation and highlights the limited short-term impact on cosmic-ray and solar energetic proton flux, providing a comprehensive assessment of flare-driven space-weather effects during the early phase of Solar Cycle 25. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Observation and Simulation Studies of Ionosphere)
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20 pages, 20237 KB  
Article
Ionospheric Response to the Geomagnetic Storm of 12–14 November 2025, Based on Multi-Parameter Analysis of Data from the LAERT Topside Sounder
by Sergey Pulinets, Nadezhda Kotonaeva, Victor Depuev and Konstantin Tsybulya
Atmosphere 2026, 17(2), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17020150 - 30 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1023
Abstract
As Akasofu noted, no two geomagnetic storms are identical, yet the storm that occurred between 12 and 14 November 2025 stands out as an exceptional phenomenon. Its impact was evident across multiple layers of the ionosphere and numerous parameters, making it essential to [...] Read more.
As Akasofu noted, no two geomagnetic storms are identical, yet the storm that occurred between 12 and 14 November 2025 stands out as an exceptional phenomenon. Its impact was evident across multiple layers of the ionosphere and numerous parameters, making it essential to conduct a comprehensive multi-parameter analysis of this event. Such an analysis relied upon data from the four LAERT topside sounders mounted aboard the recently launched Ionosfera-M satellites. Global ionospheric dynamics were thoroughlyexamined during the storm period, particularly focusing on the polar and auroral zones, along with the equatorial anomaly region. Notable features included sharp electron density gradients, widespread F-layer disturbances, and the formation of giant plasma bubbles. These elements collectively contributed to the dynamic picture of the ionospheric storm captured through multi-parameter measurements by the LAERT sounders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Observation and Simulation Studies of Ionosphere)
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