A Multi-Diagnostic Observational Framework for Magnetosonic Solitary Waves During Geomagnetic Storms in Solar Cycles 24 and 25 using Cluster II Mission

TL;DR

This study develops a multi-diagnostic observational framework to detect and analyze magnetosonic solitons during geomagnetic storms in Solar Cycles 24 and 25, revealing their potential as early indicators of geomagnetic activity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel comprehensive framework combining multiple analytical techniques for reliable detection of magnetosonic solitons in space plasma data.

Findings

Solitary structures mainly occur during early storm phases.

Solitons may serve as precursors to geomagnetic activity.

The framework improves detection reliability of plasma solitons.

Abstract

Solitary structures, commonly known as solitons, are a class of nonlinear plasma waves that are abundantly found in near-Earth plasmas and planetary magnetospheres. They are nonlinear, localized plasma waves that maintain their shape and velocity over time and distance. While their occurrence in various space plasma environments has been extensively reported, their observation during geomagnetic storms, large-scale disturbances driven by interactions between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere, remains limited. In this study, we present a comparative investigation of magnetosonic soliton signatures during geomagnetic storms associated with Solar Cycles 24 and 25. Using high-resolution in-situ magnetic field measurements from the Cluster II mission, we systematically examine the plasma conditions favorable for soliton generation and their evolution during storm-time dynamics. A comprehensive multi-diagnostic observational framework, incorporating several state-of-the-art analytical techniques, is developed to reliably detect and characterize magnetosonic solitons. The results demonstrate that solitary structures in both storms predominantly occur during the early storm intervals, prior to the main phase, suggesting that they may serve as potential precursor signatures of enhanced geomagnetic activity.