Heliosphere in the 2020s: Establishment of diverse observation regimes and promotion of heliospheric system science
(c)JAXA/ISAS, (c)NAOJ
The era of 2020s is providing a valuable opportunity for the promotion of heliospheric system science, with numerous
satellites being deployed to explore the inner heliosphere. It is important that these series of observations have close
relationships among themselves, and research on the heliosphere system as a whole be promoted. In this context, Japanese
satellites play unique roles in international heliospheric observatories, providing solar atmosphere, interplanetary
space, and geospacer observations (including the Moon) at each point in the series of connections from the sun.
Comprehensive studies of the heliosphere, including on the connection between the solar surface and solar wind structure
and its effects on the Earth and Mars orbits, are required, in conjunction with solar wind observations (IPS) on the
basis of ground-based radio wave observations, satellite observations, and global modeling of the heliospheric system.
As the area of human activity expands to the Moon and Mars, SEP (Solar Energetic Particle) and GCR (Galactic Cosmic Ray)
studies are expected to become increasingly important, and BepiColombo and MMX will provide crucial observational
opportunities to measure the SEP at various locations in the heliosphere during cruising.
Plan for the Center for Heliospheric Science
Organization
Heliospheric system science, which is one of the major research fields in space science, is expected to become the focus
of research in the 2020s. Strong cooperation between solar physics and solar-terrestrial physics (STP) in Japan [Hinode,
Geotail, Arase, Mio, and SOLAR-C] and through global missions (NASA Parker Solar Probe, ESA Solar Orbiter, etc.)
will lead to a strengthening trend toward understanding the heliospheric system, from solar wind acceleration to solar
wind dynamics. Researchers in the fields of solar physics and STP are working toward developing a new research strategy
that combines satellite and spacecraft missions with ground-based observations, numerical simulations, and modeling. In
line with the global trend of rapidly advancing research in heliospheric system science, which integrates the fields of
solar science and STP, research environments in Japan need to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain simultaneous
observations using these missions. Data analysis environments must be developed to achieve interdisciplinary
collaboration, enabling integrated research using various types of datasets.
Purpose of the center
Development infrastructure to promote heliospheric system science
Higher-level data products with additional information for heliospheric system science have been developed, and can be
seamlessly used by researchers in different research fields. An integrated data analysis environment for heliospheric
system science has also been developed, which enables cross-disciplinary research between the fields of solar physics
and STP.
Creation of results by integrating different observation and simulation methods
Coordinated observation campaigns have been arranged for different satellites and ground-based observations based on the
science strategy and to promote integrated research combining observations and numerical simulations.
