SMILE: A novel way to explore solar-terrestrial interactions

TL;DR

The SMILE mission introduces a new global monitoring approach for Sun-Earth interactions by combining X-ray imaging of the magnetosheath and cusps with UV imaging and in-situ measurements, enhancing understanding of space weather.

Contribution

This paper presents the SMILE mission concept, integrating X-ray imaging with UV and in-situ measurements to improve global observation of solar-terrestrial interactions.

Findings

Innovative imaging of the magnetosheath and cusps in X-rays.

Simultaneous UV imaging of the northern aurora.

In-situ plasma and magnetic field measurements from a polar orbit.

Abstract

This chapter describes the scientific motivations that led to the development of the SMILE (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) mission. The solar wind coupling with the terrestrial magnetosphere is a key link in Sun-Earth interactions. In-situ missions can provide detailed observations of plasma and magnetic field conditions in the solar wind and the magnetosphere, but leave us still unable to fully quantify the global effects of the drivers of Sun-Earth connections, and to monitor their evolution. This information is essential to develop a comprehensive understanding of how the Sun controls the Earth's plasma environment and space weather. SMILE offers a new approach to global monitoring of geospace by imaging the magnetosheath and cusps in X-rays emitted when high charge-state solar wind ions exchange charges with exospheric neutrals. SMILE combines this with simultaneous UV imaging of the northern aurora and in-situ plasma and magnetic field measurements in the magnetosheath and solar wind from a highly elliptical northern polar orbit. In this chapter the science that SMILE will explore and the scientific preparations that will ensure the optimal exploitation of SMILE measurements are presented.