Magnetosphere, Ionosphere, Plasmasphere and Thermosphere, as a coupled system DFG Research Unit

To reach predictive capabilities in the future and to be able to evaluate the consequences of extreme events, it is of utmost importance to understand the interrelated processes in the Earth’s Magnetosphere, Ionosphere, Plasmasphere, and Thermosphere (MIPT).

Such a coupled system requires a complex approach, and the coupling processes between these different systems need to be better understood and quantified. Historically these subsystems of the near-Earth space environment are considered in isolation, as research in these highly related disciplines is separated by the traditional boundaries of universities that assign these areas to atmospheric sciences, geodesy, or physics and astronomy, depending on the distance from the Earth. Additionally, these research areas are allocated to different sections of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and the International Association of Geodesy (IAG). Scientists who study subjects such as the thermosphere and magnetosphere rarely overlap in topical meetings, receive support for joint projects, or have a chance to collaborate. The main focus of the MIPT multidisciplinary Research Unit (RU) is to form this collaborative network, providing the impetus to achieve a better understanding of the various coupling and feedback mechanisms in the upper atmosphere and near-Earth space , and to understand how this complex system is driven by solar activity.