"Unraveling Geospace Storms with the MAGE Model: From Global Dynamics to Auroral Structures"

Presented by Dr. Michael Wiltberger, Deputy Director of the High Altitude Observatory

Geomagnetic storms—also known as geospace storms—are among the most dynamic and multifaceted phenomena in near-Earth space. They are driven by solar wind disturbances and unfold as a complex, nonlinear interaction of plasmas and fields across a vast range of temporal and spatial scales. Understanding and modeling these interactions is essential to predicting space weather impacts on modern technology, from satellites to power grids.

In this seminar, I will introduce the work of the Center for Geospace Storms (CGS), one of NASA's DRIVE Science Centers, which is focused on advancing our understanding of storm-time geospace dynamics. Our central tool is the Multiscale Atmosphere-Geospace Environment (MAGE) model—a next-generation, fully coupled model system that simulates the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere in a unified framework. MAGE is designed to address three major challenges in space weather modeling: (1) describing the global geospace system holistically, (2) resolving critical mesoscale processes such as plasma instabilities and localized currents, and (3) enabling two-way coupling with the lower atmosphere to investigate vertical coupling pathways.

I will present highlights from recent MAGE simulations of the May 10, 2024 'Gannon' Superstorm—a major space weather event that provided a rigorous test for the model. These results showcase MAGE’s ability to reproduce large-scale storm-time dynamics as well as detailed sub-auroral and auroral features. Special attention will be given to the generation of giant auroral undulations, the role of inner-magnetospheric instabilities, and the emergence of sub-auroral optical emissions associated with high-energy particle injections. These phenomena not only offer visual evidence of geospace dynamics but also point to important physical processes shaping storm-time energy deposition.

Finally, I will discuss how the broader research community can access and engage with MAGE. This includes availability through NASA’s Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) Runs on Request service, the upcoming open-source release of the model, and accompanying open-source Python tools for data analysis and visualization. Whether your interest lies in plasma physics, atmospheric coupling, computational modeling, or observational validation, MAGE offers a flexible and extensible framework for exploring the coupled Sun-Earth system.