Earth and Planetary Physics (Jan 2024)

Ground-based and additional science support for SMILE

  • J. A. Carter,
  • M. Dunlop,
  • C. Forsyth,
  • K. Oksavik,
  • E. Donovon,
  • A. Kavanagh,
  • S. E. Milan,
  • T. Sergienko,
  • R. C. Fear,
  • D. G. Sibeck,
  • M. Connors,
  • T. Yeoman,
  • X. Tan,
  • M. G. G. T. Taylor,
  • K. McWilliams,
  • J. Gjerloev,
  • R. Barnes,
  • D. D. Billet,
  • G. Chisham,
  • A. Dimmock,
  • M. P. Freeman,
  • D.-S. Han,
  • M. D. Hartinger,
  • S.-Y. W. Hsieh,
  • Z.-J. Hu,
  • M. K. James,
  • L. Juusola,
  • K. Kauristie,
  • E. A. Kronberg,
  • M. Lester,
  • J. Manuel,
  • J. Matzka,
  • I. McCrea,
  • Y. Miyoshi,
  • J. Rae,
  • L. Ren,
  • F. Sigernes,
  • E. Spanswick,
  • K. Sterne,
  • A. Steuwer,
  • T. Sun,
  • M.-T. Walach,
  • B. Walsh,
  • C. Wang,
  • J. Weygand,
  • J. Wild,
  • J. Yan,
  • J. Zhang,
  • Q.-H. Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.26464/epp2023055
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 275 – 298

Abstract

Read online

The joint European Space Agency and Chinese Academy of Sciences Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission will explore global dynamics of the magnetosphere under varying solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field conditions, and simultaneously monitor the auroral response of the Northern Hemisphere ionosphere. Combining these large-scale responses with medium and fine-scale measurements at a variety of cadences by additional ground-based and space-based instruments will enable a much greater scientific impact beyond the original goals of the SMILE mission. Here, we describe current community efforts to prepare for SMILE, and the benefits and context various experiments that have explicitly expressed support for SMILE can offer. A dedicated group of international scientists representing many different experiment types and geographical locations, the Ground-based and Additional Science Working Group, is facilitating these efforts. Preparations include constructing an online SMILE Data Fusion Facility, the discussion of particular or special modes for experiments such as coherent and incoherent scatter radar, and the consideration of particular observing strategies and spacecraft conjunctions. We anticipate growing interest and community engagement with the SMILE mission, and we welcome novel ideas and insights from the solar-terrestrial community.

Keywords