Observations Of Aurora Research Articles

Challenges of Using Historical Aurora Observations for the Reconstruction of Solar Activity before the 19th Century, Especially during and near the Maunder Minimum

In order to complement gaps in the surveillance of solar activity in historical times, various proxies are used to reconstruct past solar cycles and long-term maxima and minima of solar activity, the most famous being the Maunder Minimum (MM), which is usually defined to span the period between the years 1645 and 1715. We explain the problems within existing data bases and call upon trying to find the original sources of Schröder, since his aurorae catalog spans the whole MM and contradicts what has been deduced from more used compilations. We take a critical look at the proposed source-critical scheme introduced by Neuhäuser and Neuhäuser and show it to be counterproductive because it largely ignores the source situation, i.e., the scientific understanding of the reporters of times long past and their intentions. While historical sunspot and aurora reports can be useful to fine-tune our knowledge of solar activity in times before the onset of systematical surveillances, they should not be used as an index of solar activity, since they cannot be quantitatively expressed due to the non-scientific manner of the reports and ambiguous wording. Reconstructions based on cosmogenic isotopes are significantly preferable for establishing the level of solar activity in the past. The conclusions reached by this review should be regarded as a caution against expecting important conclusions to emerge from low quality data.

Conjugate aurora observations by the Gjøa and Discovery expeditions

Abstract. From 1901 to 1912 – known as the “heroic period” of Arctic and Antarctic exploration – great inroads were made (not only geographic but also scientific) to our knowledge of the continent. At Amundsen's Expedition through the Northwest Passage, measurements of the geomagnetic field and visual auroras were carried out for 19 months at Gjoa Haven (Gjøahavn in Norwegian; geographic coordinates 68°37′10′′ N, 95°53′25′′ W). Scott's Discovery Expedition – at Cape Armitage, McMurdo (coordinates 77.86° S, 166.69° E), Antarctica – carried out the same type of measurements. Their observations were carried out geomagnetically conjugate to Gjoa Haven, with both stations close to 78° magnetic latitude. In addition, measurements were overlapping in time during 1903–1904. However, these two stations are located at different longitudes, so there is a difference in local time between the stations of about 6.5 h. Gjoa Haven and Cape Armitage are conveniently located for separating disturbances in the polar cap regions caused by solar electromagnetic radiations or the solar wind. Auroras were observed during 7 months per year. This gave a unique possibility to compare conjugate characteristics of polar cap auroras. Comparing conjugate geophysical data introduces some difficulties. During the winter season at Gjoa Haven, they had a bright summer in Antarctica, and visa versa. Thus, simultaneous temporal and spatial ionospheric variations can be marked differently. Still, the average diurnal and seasonal variations were similar. The quantity of the auroral data from Cape Armitage was larger because there they had a continuous watch of the sky. The main findings regarding polar cap auroras are the following. Three different auroral forms dominate the polar cap. Low-intensity auroral bands – then called streamers – were the dominating auroral forms morning and afternoon. The number of auroral events in 1903 was nearly twice that in 1902 and 1904. A marked midwinter maximum was observed at both stations. Many displays were observed poleward of the oval. The large fraction was associated with weak magnetic disturbances. Some forms of polar cap aurora have special magnetic signatures and seem to be anti-correlated with Kp. They can be mapped even if they are not seen. According to recent satellite measurements (Newell et al., 2009), they are probably caused by polar rain and/or photoelectrons.

Early auroral photography and observations at the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory in Finland, 1927–1929

Abstract. In Finland, auroral photography started in 1927 at the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (SGO) with the initiative of famous Norwegian scientist Carl Störmer. In less than 2 years about 600 photographs of auroras were taken at Sodankylä. Some of the images were obtained simultaneously at auxiliary stations for parallactic determinations of the height of auroral arcs. Most of the pictures of auroras were lost in the destruction of the SGO during the war in 1944. About 200 images were rescued in the archive of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, where they were recently found. These pictures of auroras are the first ones taken in Finland. These photographs are now digitized and archived in the SGO. During the polar year period 1932–1933, auroral photography was mostly discontinued, but visual observations of auroras were made instead at several sites in Lapland. The main sources of information about the history of auroral images are handwritten notebooks of Eyvind Sucksdorff for 1927–1929. They contain relevant data for each photograph (date, exposure time, orientation of camera etc.). In Appendix A there are tables showing the dates of rescued auroral photographs as well as the lost ones. In Finland, Sucksdorff's contribution to studies of auroras was a pioneering effort with minimal resources. Regular photographing of auroras started in Finland during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) 1957–1958.

EMM EMUS Observations of FUV Aurora on Mars: Dependence on Magnetic Topology, Local Time, and Season

AbstractWe present a comprehensive study of the nightside aurora phenomenon on Mars, utilizing observations from EMUS onboard Emirates Mars Mission. The oxygen emission at 130.4 nm is by far the brightest FUV auroral emission line observed at Mars. Our statistical analysis reveals geographic, solar zenith angle, local time, and seasonal dependencies of auroral occurrence. Higher occurrence of aurora is observed in regions of open magnetic topology, where crustal magnetic fields are either very weak or both strong and vertical. Aurora occurs more frequently closer to the terminator and is more likely on the dusk side than on the dawn side of the night hemisphere. A pronounced auroral feature appears close to midnight local times in the southern hemisphere, consistent with the spot of energetic electron fluxes previously identified in the Mars Global Surveyor data. This auroral spot is more frequent after midnight than before. Additionally, some regions on Mars are “aurora voids” where essentially no aurora occurs. Aurora exhibits a seasonal dependence, with a major enhancement near perihelion. Non–crustal field aurora additionally shows a secondary enhancement near Ls 30°. This seasonal variability is a combination of the variability in ionospheric photoelectrons and thermospheric atomic oxygen abundance. Auroral occurrence also shows an increase with the rise of Solar Cycle 25. The brightest auroral pixels are observed during space weather events such as Coronal Mass Ejections and Stream Interaction Regions. These observations not only shed light on where and when Martian aurora occurs, but also add to our understanding of Mars' magnetic environment and its interaction with the heliosphere.

On the Global Features of the 10–60‐Min ULF Waves in Jovian Magnetosphere: Juno Observations

AbstractIn the Jovian magnetosphere, quasi‐periodic phenomena, with quasi‐periods on the order of 10–60 min, are frequently identified using different data sets. These pulsations are a branch of ultra‐low frequency (ULF) waves, which are believed to play a crucial role in driving the energy circulation within Jupiter's magnetosphere. In this study, we utilize magnetic field data collected by Juno between 2016 and 2022 to perform a comprehensive global statistical analysis of the spatial distribution and periodic characteristics of ULF waves in the Jovian magnetosphere. Our findings reveal distinct periodic features observed at different latitudes and distances, providing valuable insights into the generation mechanisms of ULF waves. Furthermore, we establish a close relationship between the presence of these ULF wave fluctuations and the magnetospheric state, such as under conditions of solar wind compression. By combining contemporaneous ultraviolet aurora observations from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and magnetic field data obtained by Juno, we have discovered that the compressed magnetospheres exhibit more pronounced ULF waves and enhanced auroral activity. These results provide a global picture of the distribution, implying potential generation of ULF waves in the Jovian magnetosphere, and shedding light on the processes behind the 10–60‐min energy releases.

Pc1 hydromagnetic emissions of chevron type

The article presents the results of studying novel bursts of ULF emissions within 0.5–2.5 Hz (Pc1 geomagnetic pulsations) with a simultaneous increase (~0.01 Hz/min) and decrease in frequency (~0.01 Hz/min) lagging by ~5÷10 min from the initial mean frequency (~0.6 Hz). From their formal resemblance with the stripes on military officer uniforms, these emissions are called Pc1 chevrons. The bursts were observed during strong short-term geomagnetic disturbances (~1 hour): substorms with high gradient of ionospheric currents+ intensification (dD/dt or dH/dt ~1–1.3 nT/s). We present the main parameters and couplings of these emissions with substorm geophysical phenomena of 11.02.1985, 06.04.1997 and 18.07.2013 events. Polar satellite observations of auroras are compared with LANL-91, 94 and THEMIS-A observations of charged particle fluxes. Possible mechanisms generating oscillations are also discussed.

Asymmetric Ionospheric Jets in Jupiter's Aurora

AbstractSimultaneous infrared observations of and H2 emissions from Jupiter's northern aurora using the Near Infrared Spectrograph at Keck Observatory were used to measure the ionospheric and thermospheric wind velocities. ions supercorotate near the dawn auroral oval and subcorotate across the dusk sector and in the dawn polar region relative to the planetary rotation rate, broadly in agreement with past observations and models. An anticyclonic vortex is discovered in H2 flows, closely matching the mean magnetospheric subcorotation when the observed magnetospheric flows are averaged azimuthally. In comparing ion and neutral winds, we measure the line‐of‐sight effective ion drift in the neutral reference frame for the first time, revealing two blue‐shifted sunward flows of ∼2 km/s. Observed and H2 emissions overlap with predictions of the Pedersen conductivity layer, suggesting two different regions of the ionosphere: (a) a deep layer, where neutral forces dominate the thermosphere and symmetric breakdown‐in‐corotation currents can close, and (b) a higher layer, where the observed effective ion drift allows dawn‐to‐dusk Pedersen currents within the upper atmosphere, in turn closing asymmetric currents within the magnetosphere. This ionospheric structure aligns well with recent Juno observations of Jupiter's aurora. The detected thermospheric vortex implies the driving of neutral flows by the momentum from the magnetosphere within the thermosphere and deeper in the atmosphere to potentially 20 mbar. Jovian neutral thermosphere might bridge the gap between current observations and modelings and perhaps be significant to the dynamics of aurora on Earth and other outer planets.

Jovian Magnetospheric Injections Observed by the Hubble Space Telescope and Juno

AbstractWe compare Hubble Space Telescope observations of Jupiter's FUV auroras with contemporaneous conjugate Juno in situ observations in the equatorial middle magnetosphere of Jupiter. We show that bright patches on and equatorward of the main emission are associated with hot plasma injections driven by ongoing active magnetospheric convection. During the interval that Juno crossed the magnetic field lines threading the complex of auroral patches, a series of energetic particle injection signatures were observed, and immediately prior, the plasma data exhibited flux tube interchange events indicating ongoing convection. This presents the first direct evidence that auroral morphology previously termed “strong injections” is indeed a manifestation of magnetospheric injections, and that this morphology indicates that Jupiter's magnetosphere is undergoing an interval of active iogenic plasma outflow.

Correspondence of Pi2 Pulsations, Aurora Luminosity, and Plasma Flux Fluctuation Near a Substorm Brightening Aurora: Arase Observations

AbstractAlthough many substorm‐related observations have been made, we still have limited insight into propagation of the plasma and field perturbations in Pi2 frequencies (∼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 ∼ 5. A camera at Gakona (62.39°N, 214.78°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.

Conjugate Observation of Whistler Mode Chorus, ECH Waves and Dayside Diffuse Aurora by MMS and Ground‐Based Yellow River Station

AbstractDayside diffuse auroras (DDAs) originate from the precipitation of energetic electrons in the central plasma sheet, induced by wave‐particle interactions. This study examines a specific case characterized by the detection of whistler mode chorus and electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves using the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) satellites, along with the conjugate observation of DDA at the Yellow River (YR) station. ECH waves are observed shortly after the satellite enters the magnetosphere from the magnetosheath and persist throughout the magnetosphere region. Chorus waves are also observed within the magnetosphere, and probably generated near the B minima, followed by the propagation along magnetic field lines. Analysis of MMS particle data reveals an increase in low‐energy electrons and scattering of high‐energy electrons during periods of enhanced whistler mode chorus waves. These precipitated electrons manifest as DDA phenomena. The observed evidence demonstrates the simultaneous occurrence of ECH, chorus waves, electron pitch angle scattering, and DDA. Moreover, the concurrent presence of these waves in the outer magnetosphere during the dayside raises important considerations regarding the relative roles of different plasma waves, particle energization, precipitation dynamics, and the overall development of DDA phenomena.

Advancing Our Understanding of Martian Proton Aurora Through a Coordinated Multi‐Model Comparison Campaign

AbstractProton aurora are the most commonly observed yet least studied type of aurora at Mars. In order to better understand the physics and driving processes of Martian proton aurora, we undertake a multi‐model comparison campaign. We compare results from four different proton/hydrogen precipitation models with unique abilities to represent Martian proton aurora: Jolitz model (3‐D Monte Carlo), Kallio model (3‐D Monte Carlo), Bisikalo/Shematovich et al. model (1‐D kinetic Monte Carlo), and Gronoff et al. model (1‐D kinetic). This campaign is divided into two steps: an inter‐model comparison and a data‐model comparison. The inter‐model comparison entails modeling five different representative cases using similar constraints in order to better understand the capabilities and limitations of each of the models. Through this step we find that the two primary variables affecting proton aurora are the incident solar wind particle flux and velocity. In the data‐model comparison, we assess the robustness of each model based on its ability to reproduce a proton aurora observation. All models are able to effectively simulate the general shape of the data. Variations in modeled intensity and peak altitude can be attributed to differences in model capabilities/solving techniques and input assumptions (e.g., cross sections, 3‐D vs. 1‐D solvers, and implementation of the relevant physics and processes). The good match between the observations and multiple models gives a measure of confidence that the appropriate physical processes and their associated parameters have been correctly identified and provides insight into the key physics that should be incorporated in future models.

Программное обеспечение для автоматизированного распознавания и оцифровки архивных данных оптических наблюдений полярных сияний

One of the main tools for recording auroras is the optical observation of the sky in automatic mode using all-sky cameras. The results of observations are recorded in special mnemonic tables, ascaplots. Ascaplots provide daily information on the presence or absence of cloud cover and auroras in various parts of the sky and are traditionally used to study the daily distribution of auroras in a given spatial region, as well as to calculate the probability of their observation in other regions in accordance with the level of geomagnetic activity. At the same time, the processing of ascaplots is currently carried out manually, which is associated with significant time costs and a high proportion of errors due to the human factor. To increase the efficiency of ascaplot processing, we propose an approach that automates the recognition and digitization of data from optical observations of auroras. A formalization of the ascaplot structure is proposed, which is used to process the ascaplot image, extract the corresponding observation results, and form the resulting data set. The approach involves the use of machine vision algorithms and the use of a specialized mask - a debug image for digitization, which is a color image in which the general position of the ascaplot cells is specified. The proposed approach and the corresponding algorithms are implemented in the form of software that provides recognition and digitization of archival data from optical observations of auroras. The solution is a single-user desktop software that allows the user to convert ascaplot images into tables in batch mode, available for further processing and analysis. The results of the computational experiments have shown that the use of the proposed software will make it possible to avoid errors in the digitization of ascaplots, on the one hand, and significantly increase the speed of the corresponding computational operations, on the other. Taken together, this will improve the efficiency of processing ascaplots and conducting research in the relevant area.

Conjunction Ground Triangulation of Auroras and Magnetospheric Processes Observed by the Van Allen Probe Satellite near 6 Re

Conjunction observations of auroras with electron distributions and broadband electrostatic fluctuations on Van Allen Probe A satellite in the equatorial region are considered. Using triangulation measurements, the energy spectra of the precipitating electrons in the rayed auroral structures were determined for the 17 March 2015 event. A comparison of the spectra of precipitating electrons in the auroral rays with satellite measurements of electrons in the equatorial region related to the aurora showed their agreement. The concomitance between Van Allen Probe A broadband electric waves and auroral variations measured by the ground-based auroral camera was observed on 17 March 2015. This suggests that broadband electrostatic waves may be responsible for electron precipitation, leading to the formation of rayed structures in the aurora.

Вклад ионосферных возмущений, регистрируемых радаром EISCAT, в сцинтилляции GPS-сигналов

It is performed an analysis of the influence of ionosphere disturbances on GPS scintillations at the auroral oval using receiver at Skibotn station (SKN, CGM — 66.28N, 103.41E). The ionosphere parameters were determined using EISCAT UHF radar data. We analyze the events for the years 2015-2022 when the GPS and EISCAT data were available. In this paper we present typical events. The optical aurora observations at Skibotn stations in 557.7 and 630.0nm spectrum lines were used as well. It is shown that the strongest GPS phase scintillations (σΦ > 1) were produced by the ionosphere disturbances in the E-region (100–120 km), these disturbances were accompanied by the appearance of the auroral arcs. Ionosphere disturbances in the F-region (> 200 km) do not produce any significant phase scintillations. The night-time and evening substorms accompanied by the negative magnetic bay produce strongest GPS phase scintillations. At the same time, positive magnetic bays, associated with the growth of the eastern electrojet, during magnetic storm produce comparable phase scintillation as night-time substorms. We did not find a clear growth of the amplitude scintillations during considered events.

Ganymede's atmosphere as constrained by HST/STIS observations

A new analysis of aurora observations of Ganymede's atmosphere on the orbital leading and trailing hemispheres has been recently published by Roth et al. (2021), suggesting that water is its main constituent near noon. Here, we present two additional aurora observations of Ganymede's sub-Jovian and anti-Jovian hemispheres, which suggest a modulation of the atmospheric H2O/O2 ratio on the moon's orbital period, and analyze the orbital evolution of the atmosphere. For this, we propose a reconstruction of aurora observations based on a physical modelling of the exosphere taking into account its orbital variability (the Exospheric Global Model; Leblanc et al., 2017). The solution described in this paper agrees with Roth et al. (2021) that Ganymede's exosphere should be dominantly composed of water molecules. From Ganymede's position when its leading hemisphere is illuminated to when it is its trailing hemisphere, the column density of O2 may vary between 4.3 × 1014 and 3.6 × 1014 cm−2 whereas the H2O column density should vary between 5.6 × 1014 and 1.3 × 1015 cm−2. The water content of Ganymede's atmosphere is essentially constrained by its sublimation rate whereas the O2 component of Ganymede's atmosphere is controlled by the radiolytic yield. The other species, products of the water molecules, vary in a more complex way depending on their sources, either as ejecta from the surface and/or as product of the dissociation of the other atmospheric constituents. Electron impact on H2O and H2 molecules is shown to likely produce H Lyman-alpha emissions close to Ganymede, in addition to the observed extended Lyman-alpha corona from H resonant scattering. All these conclusions being highly dependent on our capability to accurately model the origins of the observed Ganymede auroral emissions, modelling these emissions remains poorly constrained without an accurate knowledge of the Jovian magnetospheric and Ganymede ionospheric electron populations.

Aurora Detection From Nighttime Lights for Earth and Space Science Applications

AbstractThis research leverages data from the Day/Night Band (DNB) of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer (VIIRS) instrument onboard the Suomi National Polar‐orbiting Partnership (S‐NPP) satellite. We demonstrate the value of mining the VIIRS DNB for aurora and describe our use of unsupervised machine learning to create a binary mask for aurora occurrence. This mask can be used to flag aurora‐contaminated observations for NASA's nighttime lights products for Earth science applications. The identification of auroral regions can also be used for Space Weather applications, for example, for comparison with aurora forecast model and with other satellite‐ or ground‐based aurora observations. The DNB is a broadband channel that is sensitive to wavelengths from 500 to 900 nm, which covers most of the visible light spectrum, and as the name implies, captures light even at night with a sensitivity at the nanowatt level. This band is suitable for aurora observations since the light emitted by the aurora tends to be dominated by emissions from atomic oxygen, resulting in a greenish glow at a wavelength of 557.7 nm, especially at an altitude of 110 km. This study compares the global nighttime derived aurora regions for 17 and 18 March with the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center's (SWPC) probability product for the St. Patrick's Day geomagnetic storm in 2015. VIIRS sensors are slated to be added to the next generation of polar‐orbiting operational satellites. Our novel automated approach to aurora identification opens up an efficient way to leverage this unique data source.

UVS Observations of Ganymede's Aurora During Juno Orbits 34 and 35

AbstractOn 7 June 2021, Juno‐UVS mapped Ganymede's auroral emissions near a closest approach altitude of 1,046 km. The high spatial resolution map exhibits bright, 200–1,000 R, oxygen emissions organized into northern and southern auroral ovals. Though the map has incomplete global coverage, UVS observed longitudinal structure similar to that described by McGrath et al. (2013), https://doi.org/10.1002/jgra.50122 and latitudinal and vertical structure never before resolved. The mapped auroral emissions (a) display an intense narrow auroral curtain with a sharp poleward boundary, (b) have a more slowly decreasing equatorial edge on the leading hemisphere, (c) appear to originate near the surface with a vertical extent of 25–50 km, and (d) are slightly brighter in the north than the south. Additionally, we present UVS observations from the more distant Juno Ganymede flyby on 20 July 2021. We describe the observations, compare them to previous Hubble Space Telescope observations and current model predictions of the open‐closed‐field line‐boundary.

Unified Theory of the Arc Auroras: Formation Mechanism of the Arc Auroras Conforming General Principles of Convection and FAC Generation

AbstractThe arc aurora can be considered as the visualization of the field‐aligned current (FAC). In various cases, the numerically reproduced FAC morphologically matches well with that of the observed arc aurora. Such example can be seen in the sun‐aligned arc, the fan arc, and the theta aurora under the northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), and the substorm, the quiet arc, and the initial brightening under the southward IMF. The FAC reproduced by the global simulation is based on the general principle of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD). In such general principle, the FAC is transmission of net charge, net charge is divE, and E is equivalent to motion. After all, the FAC is transmission of convection motion. In order to transmit the FAC to the dissipative ionosphere based on the MHD, formations of the dynamo and shear that leads from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere are essential. The dynamo and shear are reproduced so as to properly match with each convection structure. The comparison under various magnetospheric topologies between the global simulation and the arc aurora observation indicates that the arc aurora and the FAC occurs inevitably controlled by convection structure. Such a principle of the FAC and convection holds even for the onset FAC.

Reconstruction of precipitating electrons and three-dimensional structure of a pulsating auroral patch from monochromatic auroral images obtained from multiple observation points

Abstract. In recent years, aurora observation networks using high-sensitivity cameras have been developed in the polar regions. These networks allow dimmer auroras, such as pulsating auroras (PsAs), to be observed with a high signal-to-noise ratio. We reconstructed the horizontal distribution of precipitating electrons using computed tomography with monochromatic PsA images obtained from three observation points. The three-dimensional distribution of the volume emission rate (VER) of the PsA was also reconstructed. The characteristic energy of the reconstructed precipitating electron flux ranged from 6 to 23 keV, and the peak altitude of the reconstructed VER ranged from 90 to 104 km. We evaluated the results using a model aurora and compared the model's electron density with the observed one. The electron density was reconstructed correctly to some extent, even after a decrease in PsA intensity. These results suggest that the horizontal distribution of precipitating electrons associated with PsAs can be effectively reconstructed from ground-based optical observations.

Solar Wind Model Supported by Parker Solar Probe Observations During Faint Venusian Auroral Emission

Abstract The encounter of the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) with Venus during the Venus Gravity Assist 3 on 2020 July 11 provided a unique opportunity to gather in situ solar wind data in the Venusian environment while also being able to observe Venus from ground-based facilities on Earth. The Wang–Sheeley–Arge (WSA) model was used to make accurate predictions of solar wind velocity and interplanetary magnetic field polarity at Earth and STEREO-A, as compared to in situ data at each spacecraft. The same model was then used to predict solar wind conditions at Venus. The predictions were in good agreement with in situ PSP data, as they match the overall magnitude and structure of the solar wind velocity and magnetic polarity at multiple spacecraft. This demonstrates that WSA can be used to make reliable predictions at locations in the heliosphere when in situ data is not available. Venusian aurorae were detected via emission in the oxygen green line 5577 Å OI(1 S − 1 D) at the same time that PSP captured a heliospheric current sheet crossing, and shortly thereafter, detected an increase in proton count rate. This is the first observation of oxygen green line aurora on Venus that is not the direct result of a coronal mass ejection, a solar flare, or corotating interaction regions.