TP2

Space environments, including magnetospheres, ionospheres, atmospheres, and associated auroral regions, are fundamental components of planetary and cometary systems. They are shaped by solar radiation and influenced by a wide range of processes such as space‑weather variability, solar wind dynamics, and changes in the neutral atmosphere. Within these systems, ionospheres play a central role in governing overall dynamics: they form the critical interface linking the neutral atmosphere, exosphere, and surrounding plasma environments (e.g., the solar wind at Mars, Venus, Pluto, and comets, or the Kronian magnetosphere at Titan). Understanding how each unmagnetized body responds to these external and internal drivers is essential for comparative aeronomy. While these bodies may share broadly similar behaviours, their distinct physical characteristics lead to scientifically significant differences, including in their auroral emissions and ionospheric responses.
This session focuses on the space environments, including auroral phenomena of Mars, Venus, Pluto, Titan, Jovian moons, comets, and related comparative studies, including analogies with the ionospheres of magnetized bodies. We invite abstracts addressing remote‑sensing and in‑situ observations, modelling efforts, instrumentation, and mission concepts.
Topics may include, but are not limited to: day‑ and night‑side ionospheric variability; sources and drivers of ionization; ion‑neutral interactions; current systems; comparative ionospheric and auroral studies across bodies; and solar‑wind–ionosphere coupling, including the response of neutral and ionized regimes to transient space‑weather events. Abstracts addressing general plasma processes and atmospheric escape are also welcome.