The case for studying other planetary magnetospheres and atmospheres in Heliophysics

TL;DR

Expanding Heliophysics research to include other planetary magnetospheres and atmospheres can significantly enhance understanding of space plasma physics, which is currently limited by a focus mainly on Earth.

Contribution

The paper advocates for broadening Heliophysics studies to encompass other planetary bodies, emphasizing the potential for new insights and the need for dedicated efforts and funding.

Findings

Studying other planetary magnetospheres reveals unique space plasma processes.

Current focus on Earth limits understanding of universal space physics.

Cross-divisional collaboration can advance planetary space physics research.

Abstract

Heliophysics is the field that "studies the nature of the Sun, and how it influences the very nature of space - and, in turn, the atmospheres of planetary bodies and the technology that exists there." However, NASA's Heliophysics Division tends to limit study of planetary magnetospheres and atmospheres to only those of Earth. This leaves exploration and understanding of space plasma physics at other worlds to the purview of the Planetary Science and Astrophysics Divisions. This is detrimental to the study of space plasma physics in general since, although some cross-divisional funding opportunities do exist, vital elements of space plasma physics can be best addressed by extending the expertise of Heliophysics scientists to other stellar and planetary magnetospheres. However, the diverse worlds within the solar system provide crucial environmental conditions that are not replicated at Earth but can provide deep insight into fundamental space plasma physics processes. Studying planetary systems with Heliophysics objectives, comprehensive instrumentation, and new grant opportunities for analysis and modeling would enable a novel understanding of fundamental and universal processes of space plasma physics. As such, the Heliophysics community should be prepared to consider, prioritize, and fund dedicated Heliophysics efforts to planetary targets to specifically study space physics and aeronomy objectives.