Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE) is a latitudinally narrow, purple-band emission observed at subauroral latitudes. Stable Auroral Red (SAR) arcs characterized by major red emission, and red/green arcs with both red and green emissions also occur at subauroral latitudes. Characteristics of magnetospheric source plasma and electromagnetic fields of these three types of arcs have not been fully understood because of the limited conjugate observations between magnetosphere and the ground. In this study, we report 11 conjugate observations (2 STEVEs, 7 SAR arcs, and 2 red/green arcs), using all-sky images obtained at seven ground stations over more than four years from January 2017 to April 2021 and magnetospheric satellites (Arase and Van Allen Probes). We found that, in the inner magnetosphere, the source region of STEVEs and red/green arcs were located outside the plasmasphere, and that of the SAR arc was in the region of spatial overlap between the plasmasphere and ring current region. Electromagnetic waves at frequencies below 1 Hz were observed for STEVEs and red/green arcs. SuperDARN radar data showed a strong westward plasma flow in the ionosphere, especially during STEVE events, whereas the plasma flows associated with SAR arcs and red/green arcs were generally weaker and variable. The STEVE and SAR arc can appear simultaneously at slightly different latitudes and STEVEs and red/green arcs can transform into SAR arcs. These first comprehensive ground-satellite measurements of three types of subauroral-latitude auroras increase our understanding on similarlity, differences, and coupling of these auroras in the ionosphere and the magnetosphere.

Abstract We report a statistical result of electrons inside the loss cone with energies of 67 eV–88 keV using electron measurements obtained in situ by the Arase satellite in the inner magnetosphere around the magnetic equator for 60 months. Loss cone electrons are found with a high occurrence probability from the nightside to the dawnside at approximately L = 6. For 641 eV–88 keV electrons, the high‐occurrence region shifts toward later magnetic local times (MLTs) with increasing loss cone electron energy. The spatial distribution of the occurrence probability around MLT = 22–3 at L = 5–6 is consistent with the calculated average resonance energy distribution of whistler mode chorus waves near the magnetic equator. These results suggest that pitch angle scattering driven by chorus waves plays the main role in electron precipitation in this region.

Abstract During the May 2024 storm, the minimum Dst index was approximately −412 nT, marking the largest geomagnetic storm of the past decade. This event caused the inner edge of the ring current to penetrate deeply into the inner magnetosphere during the main phase of the storm. We present observations of high‐frequency electromagnetic ion cyclotron (HF EMIC) wave activity during this intense geomagnetic storm using data from the Arase satellite. Arase observations showed that HF EMIC waves with frequencies of 5–36 Hz at L ∼ 2, occurred mainly during the main and early‐recovery phases. The minimum resonance energy of energetic protons and relativistic electrons associated with HF EMIC waves suggests their potential to cause the loss of relativistic electrons in the low L‐shell region. Our observations provide new insights into the generation of EMIC waves and the dynamics of energetic particles at low L‐shells in the inner magnetosphere.

This is the first report of significant energization (up to 7,000 eV) of low-energy He+ ions, which occurred simultaneously with H-band electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave activity, in a direction mostly perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. The event was detected by the Arase satellite in the dayside plasmatrough region off the magnetic equator on 15 May 2019. The peak energy of the He+ flux enhancements is mostly above 1,000 eV. At some interval, the He+ ions are energized up to similar to 7,000 eV. The H-band waves are excited in a frequency band between the local crossover and helium gyrofrequencies and are close to a linear polarization state with weakly left-handed or right-handed polarization. The normal angle of the waves exhibits significant variation between 0 degrees and 80 degrees, indicating a non-parallel propagation. We run a hybrid code with parameters estimated from the Arase observations to examine the He+ energization. The simulations show that cold He+ ions are energized up to more than 1,000 eV, similar to the spacecraft observations. From the analysis of the simulated wave fields and cold plasma motions, we found that the ratio of the wave frequency to He+ gyrofrequency is a primary factor for transverse energization of cold He+ ions. As a consequence of the numerical analysis, we suggest that the significant transverse energization of He+ ions observed by Arase is attributed to H-band EMIC waves excited near the local helium gyrofrequency. Strong H-band EMIC waves were detected in the dayside plasmatrough region off the magnetic equator by the Arase spacecraft The H-band waves energize cold He+ ions to levels above similar to 1,000 eV in the direction perpendicular to the background magnetic field Simulation indicates that the ratio of the wave frequency to He+ gyrofrequency is a primary factor in the strong energization of He+ ions

The Arase satellite observed the precipitation of monoenergetic electrons accelerated from a very high altitude above 32,000 km altitude on 16 September 2017. The event was selected in the period when the high-angular resolution channel of the electron detector looked at pitch angles within similar to 5 degrees from the ambient magnetic field direction, and thereby was the first to examine the detailed distribution of electron flux near the energy-dependent loss cone at such high altitudes. The potential energy below the satellite estimated from the observed energy-dependence of the loss cone was consistent with the energy of the upgoing ion beams, indicating that ionospheric ions were accelerated by a lower-altitude acceleration region. The accelerated electrons inside the loss cone carried a significant net field-aligned current (FAC) density corresponding to ionospheric-altitude FAC of up to similar to 3 mu A/m(2). Based on the anisotropy of the accelerated electrons, we estimated the height of the upper boundary of the acceleration region to be >similar to 2 R-E above the satellite. The height distribution of the acceleration region below the satellite, estimated from the frequency of auroral kilometric radiation, was similar to 4,000-13,000 km altitude, suggesting that the very-high-altitude acceleration region was separated from the lower acceleration region. Additionally, we observed time domain structure (TDS) electric fields on a subsecond time scale with a thin FAC indicated by magnetic deflections. Such a TDS may be generated by the formation of double layers in the magnetotail, and its potential drop could significantly contribute (similar to 40%-60%) to the parallel energization of precipitating auroral electrons.

Abstract Using the Arase and Van Allen Probes satellite observations, we investigate the nonlinear electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) rising‐tone (RT) emissions with an increase of the solar wind dynamic pressure in the dayside magnetosphere. We find that EMIC RT emissions are accompanied by the extended dayside uniform zone (DUZ) over |MLAT| < 25° due to the dayside magnetospheric compression by an increase in Pdyn. Using the observed plasma and magnetic field data, we modeled the threshold amplitude for the nonlinear EMIC waves and compared it with the observation. The small gradient of the ambient magnetic field strongly contributes to the reduction in the threshold amplitude of nonlinear wave growth compared to other parameters. When the threshold amplitude falls to comparable level of pre‐existing EMIC waves, EMIC RT emissions are immediately triggered, suggesting direct evidence that the DUZ is the preferred condition to cause the nonlinear EMIC RT emission in the dayside magnetosphere.

Although many substorm-related observations have been made, we still have limited insight into propagation of the plasma and field perturbations in Pi2 frequencies (similar to 7-25 mHz) in association with substorm aurora, particularly from the auroral source region in the inner magnetosphere to the ground. In this study, we present conjugate observations of a substorm brightening aurora using an all-sky camera and an inner-magnetospheric satellite Arase at L similar to 5. A camera at Gakona (62.39(degrees)N, 214.78(degrees)E), Alaska, observed a substorm auroral brightening on 28 December 2018, and the footprint of the satellite was located just equatorward of the aurora. Around the timing of the auroral brightening, the satellite observed a series of quasi-periodic variations in the electric and magnetic fields and in the energy flux of electrons and ions. We demonstrate that the diamagnetic variations of thermal pressure and medium-energy ion energy flux in the inner magnetosphere show approximately one-to-one correspondence with the oscillations in luminosity of the substorm brightening aurora and high-latitudinal Pi2 pulsations on the ground. We also found their anti-correlation with low-energy electrons. Cavity-type Pi2 pulsations were observed at mid- and low-latitudinal stations. Based on these observations, we suggest that a wave phenomenon in the substorm auroral source region, like ballooning type instability, play an important role in the development of substorm and related auroral brightening and high-latitude Pi2, and that the variation of the auroral luminosity was directly driven by keV electrons which were modulated by Alfven waves in the inner magnetosphere.

We performed a statistical study of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave distributions and their coupling with energetic protons in the inner magnetosphere using the Arase satellite data from May 2017 to December 2020. We investigated the energetic proton pitch‐angle distributions and partial thermal pressures associated with EMIC waves using inter‐calibrated proton data in the energy range of 30 eV/q–187 keV/q. With a cold plasma approximation, we computed the proton minimum resonance energies using the observed EMIC wave frequency and plasma density values. We found that the EMIC waves had left‐handed polarization near the magnetic equator close to the threshold of proton cyclotron instability, and propagated to higher latitudes along the field line with polarization reversal. H‐EMIC waves showed two peak occurrence regions in the morning and noon sectors at L = 7.5–9 outside the plasmasphere. The flux enhancements associated with morning side H‐EMIC waves appeared at E < 1 keV/q among all pitch angles, while H‐EMIC waves in the noon sector exhibited flux enhancement in field‐aligned directions at E = 1–100 keV/q. He‐EMIC waves showed a broad occurrence region from 12 to 20 magnetic local time at L = 5.5–8.5 inside the plasmasphere with strong flux enhancements at all pitch‐angle ranges at E = 1–100 keV/q. The proton minimum resonance energy using the obtained central frequency was consistent with the observed flux enhancements at different peak occurrence regions. We conclude that the free energy sources of EMIC waves in different geomagnetic environments drive various types of EMIC waves, and they interact with energetic protons at different energy ranges.

A physical mechanism to produce pulsating aurora (PsA) has been considered to be the interaction of the electron and the chorus wave generated near the equatorial plane of the magnetosphere. A recent observation of high temporal resolution of chorus waves by the Arase satellite revealed that the presence or absence of the internal modulation of PsA, which is a characteristic sub‐second scintillation at 3 ± 1 Hz within each optical pulsation, is closely related to the discreteness of the element structure of the chorus wave. However, it is still unclear what parameters (or conditions) control the discreteness of the element and the existence of the internal modulation of PsA. In this study, we discuss parameters that determine the presence or absence of the internal modulation of PsA and element structure of chorus by showing a conjugate observation of PsA/chorus by ground‐based cameras and the Arase satellite. During the event, the occurrence of internal modulation increased temporally. The wave data from the satellite show that the repetitive frequency of elements was ∼6 Hz when the internal modulation was indistinct, while the repetitive frequency was ∼3 Hz when the internal modulation was distinct. The particle measurements suggest that this difference was caused by changes in the density and the temperature anisotropy of the hot electron. The internal modulation was clearly observed when the density of hot electrons decreased and the temperature anisotropy relaxed after the injection. Observations of internal modulations from the ground might allow us to estimate the parameters such as energetic electron density and temperature anisotropy in the magnetosphere.

Inner magnetospheric electrons are precipitated in the ionosphere via pitch‐angle (PA) scattering by lower band chorus (LBC), upper band chorus (UBC), and electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves. However, the PA scattering efficiency of low‐energy electrons (0.1–10 keV) has not been investigated via in situ observations because of difficulties in flux measurements within loss cones at the magnetosphere. In this study, we demonstrate that LBC, UBC, and ECH waves contribute to PA scattering of electrons at different energy ranges using the Arase (ERG) satellite observation data and successively detected the moderate loss cone filling, that is, approaching strong diffusion. Approaching strong diffusion by LBC, UBC, and ECH waves occurred at ∼2–20 keV, ∼1–10 keV, and ∼0.1–2 keV, respectively. The occurrence rate of the approaching strong diffusion by high‐amplitude LBC (>50 pT), UBC (>20 pT), and ECH (>10 mV/m) waves, respectively, reached ∼70%, ∼40%, and ∼30% higher than that without simultaneous wave activity. The energy range in which the occurrence rate was high agreed with the range where the PA diffusion rate of each wave exceeded the strong diffusion level based on the quasilinear theory.

This paper presents the highlights of joint observations of the inner magnetosphere by the Arase spacecraft, the Van Allen Probes spacecraft, and ground-based experiments integrated into spacecraft programs. The concurrent operation of the two missions in 2017-2019 facilitated the separation of the spatial and temporal structures of dynamic phenomena occurring in the inner magnetosphere. Because the orbital inclination angle of Arase is larger than that of Van Allen Probes, Arase collected observations at higher L -shells up to L∼10 . After March 2017, similar variations in plasma and waves were detected by Van Allen Probes and Arase. We describe plasma wave observations at longitudinally separated locations in space and geomagnetically-conjugate locations in space and on the ground. The results of instrument intercalibrations between the two missions are also presented. Arase continued its normal operation after the scientific operation of Van Allen Probes completed in October 2019. The combined Van Allen Probes (2012-2019) and Arase (2017-present) observations will cover a full solar cycle. This will be the first comprehensive long-term observation of the inner magnetosphere and radiation belts.

Plasmaspheric hiss can cause energetic electron precipitation from the magnetosphere to the Earth's upper atmosphere and affect the ionospheric electron density profiles. In this study, we use Arase satellite measurements in the dayside plasmasphere to model the electron precipitation and the resultant ionospheric response, and compare the results to the electron density measured by the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR). We analyzed two close conjunction events between Arase and PFISR at L ∼ 6 in the afternoon sector, when Arase was in the outer plasmasphere and traveled into the plasmaspheric plumes. Modest or strong hiss waves were observed with amplitudes higher than 50 pT during both events. Quasilinear modeling suggests that the hiss waves could cause intense electron precipitation ranging from several keV to several hundred keV energies. The electron density profiles at 60–90 km modeled by the Boulder Electron Radiation to Ionization (BERI) model suggest significant electron density enhancements due to the precipitating electrons. PFISR simultaneously observed electron density enhancements during both events, and provided evidence for the electron precipitation at altitudes down to <70 km. The temporal modulation of hiss caused the modulated density profiles in BERI modeling, but was not evident in PFISR observations. The modeled altitude profiles of the perturbed electron density overall agree with PFISR observation. At altitudes below 75 km, the modeled electron densities are lower than the observation, suggesting additional high energy electron precipitation possibly due to low frequency (<50 Hz) waves or hiss wave powers ducted to high latitudes.

Auroral brightening is one of the most common phenomena that occur during substorm onset and is usually recognized as a projection of the substorm‐associated magnetospheric plasma dynamics to the ionosphere. However, electromagnetic fields and plasma features associated with the substorm brightening arc have not been well understood. In this study, we present a comprehensive observation of the source plasma and field variations of a substorm brightening aurora in the inner magnetosphere. We performed a unique conjugate observation of a substorm brightening auroral arc observed by a ground‐based camera and by the Arase satellite in the magnetospheric source region at L ∼ 6. The event was observed at Tromsø (69.6°N, 19.2°E), Norway, on 12 October 2017. The brightening arc indicates east‐west structures with longitudinal scales of ∼0.5°–2.0°. Field‐aligned bi‐directional electrons with an energy range between 66 and 1,800 eV were detected by the satellite, simultaneously with the appearance of the brightening arc in the camera. These electrons were probably supplied from the auroral brightening region in the ionosphere, indicating that the satellite was on the same field line of the brightening aurora. The magnetic and electric field data show characteristic fluctuations and earthward Poynting flux around the time that the satellite crossed the aurora. Anti‐phase oscillations between the thermal pressure and the magnetic pressure are also reported. Based on these observations, we suggest the possibility that a ballooning instability occurred in the source region of the substorm brightening arc in the inner magnetosphere at L ∼ 6.

During disturbed geomagnetic conditions, the energetic particles in the inner magnetosphere are known to undergo precipitation loss due to interaction with various plasma waves. In this study, we investigate the energetic particle precipitation events statistically using coordinate observations from ground riometer network and inner-magnetospheric satellite mission, Arase. We have compared cosmic noise absorption (CNA) data obtained from Finnish ground riometer network located in the auroral/sub-auroral latitudes with the comprehensive dataset of omnidirectional electron/proton flux and plasma waves in ELF/VLF frequency range from Arase satellite during the overpass intervals. The study period includes one and a half years of data between March 2017 to September 2018 covering Arase conjunctions with the riometer stations from all magnetic local time sectors. The relation between the plasma flux/waves observed at the satellite with the riometer absorptions are investigated statistically for CNA (absorption>0.5 dB) and non-CNA (absorption<0.5 dB) cases separately. During CNA events, Arase observed elevated electron flux in the medium energy range (2 - 100 keV), and plasma wave activity in the whistler-mode frequency range (0.5-3 kHz) of the spectra. Our study provides an estimate of the statistical dependence of the electron flux and plasma wave observations at Arase with the ground reality of actual precipitation.

We present observations of an equatorward detachment of the auroral arc from the main oval and magnetically conjugate measurements made by the Arase satellite in the inner magnetosphere. The all‐sky imager at Gakona (magnetic latitude = 63.6°N), Alaska, shows the detachment of the auroral arc in both red and green lines at local midnight (∼0130–0230 MLT) on 30 March 2017. The electron density derived from the Arase in‐situ observations shows that this arc occurred outside the plasmapause. At the arc crossing, the electron flux of energies ∼0.1–2 keV is found to be locally enhanced at L∼4.3–4.5. We estimated auroral intensities for both red and green lines by using the Arase low‐energy (0.1–19 keV) electron flux data. The peak latitude of the estimated intensity shows reasonably good correspondence with the observed intensity mapped at the ionospheric footprints of the Arase satellite. These findings indicate that the observed arc detachment at Gakona was associated with the localized enhancement of low‐energy electrons (∼0.1–2 keV) at the inner edge of the electron plasma sheet. Further, we employ the simulation results of the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC), the BATS‐R‐US–CIMI 3‐D MHD code to understand the conditions in the inner magnetosphere around the time of detachment. Although the simulation could not reproduce the lower‐energy component responsible for the arc detachment, it successfully reproduced two earthward convection events at the lower radial distance (R) (R ≤ ∼4) around the time of arc detachment and the features of enhanced convection in similarity with the observations.

Electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves are generally excited in the magnetic equator region, in the sector from nightside to dayside during geomagnetically active conditions, and cause the pitch angle scattering by cyclotron resonance. The scattered electrons precipitate into the Earth's atmosphere and cause auroral emission. However, there is no observational evidence that ECH waves actually scatter electrons into the loss cone in the magnetosphere. In this study, from simultaneous wave and particle observation data obtained by the Arase satellite equipped with a high-pitch angular resolution electron analyzer, we present evidence that the ECH wave intensity near the magnetic equator is correlated with an electron flux inside the loss cone with an energy of about 5 keV. The simulation suggests that this electron flux contributes to the auroral emission at 557.7 nm with an intensity of about 200 R. Plain Language Summary Wave-particle interaction via electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves is a promising generation mechanism for precipitating electrons into Earth's atmosphere and producing diffuse auroras. However, there is no observational evidence that ECH waves scatter electrons to cause auroral emissions. In this study, based on observation data obtained by the Arase satellite equipped with a high-angular resolution electron analyzer, we identified an event during which the ECH wave intensity near the magnetic equator was correlated with the electron flux that precipitated into the Earth's atmosphere. Our simulation suggests that this electron flux contributes to visible oxygen green-line auroral emission.

To understand the generation and propagation processes of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves under different geomagnetic conditions in the inner magnetosphere, we performed a statistical study of EMIC wave properties observed by the Van Allen Probes from February 2013 to December 2016. We divided EMIC waves into two groups: those associated with and those occurring without injections observed by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES‐13 and GOES‐15). We found that the EMIC wave polarization sense ε increased and the normalized frequency X decreased with increasing |MLAT|. Inside the plasmasphere, He+ EMIC waves were predominantly observed with left‐hand polarization (ε< −0.3) and higher wave normal angles (θk = 30–40° ). Those associated with injections showed the most intense wave power at 14–16 MLT, compared to periods without injections when these waves exhibit a similar wave power but on the dayside. H+ EMIC waves were predominantly observed outside the plasmasphere on the dayside and showed a mixture of left‐hand and linear polarizations (ε = −0.3–0.0) with lower wave normal angles (θk = 20–30° ) regardless of injections. Moreover, H+ EMIC waves were accompanied by a solar wind dynamic pressure enhancement (ΔPsw = 0.5 nPa). From these observations, we suggest that hot injected plasma contributes to the generation of intense He+ EMIC waves in the afternoon sector. A mixture of expanding cold plasmaspheric ions and coexisting hot ring current ions acts as the free energy source for He+ EMIC waves on the dayside during quiet times. Solar wind dynamic pressure enhancements are likely the major driver of H+ EMIC waves outside the plasmasphere.