The Plasmasphere: Its Interactions and Dynamics

This chapter is a review of plasmaspheric research accomplishments published from September 2013 to September 2018. Much has been achieved during these five years, most of which we hope to have cited in the references section. Research has addressed plasmasphere interactions with the ionosphere and thermosphere, but also with the energetic particles of the ring current and radiation belts. Internal physical processes that shape plasmaspheric properties have been studied, as well as those that result from external driving by the solar wind through the geomagnetic response. New empirical and physics-based models of the plasmasphere have been introduced to the field as well. Conclusions about these five years of plasmaspheric research are provided, in addition to our view of the future investigations.