Journal profile · Geochemistry & Geophysics
Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics
ISSN 1364-6826 · eISSN 1879-1824 · Elsevier Ltd · ENGLAND · Monthly
Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics: CAS Zone 4 · Earth Sciences (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 2.15; hybrid open access; APC about USD 2,770; review about 146 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: easy; 237 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics is published by Elsevier Ltd and is in Zone 4 of Earth Sciences in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics, Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics and Atmospheric Ozone and Climate, together about 48.2% of its articles. Its main subfields are Astronomy and Astrophysics. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
The Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics (JASTP) is an international journal concerned with the inter-disciplinary science of the Earth's atmospheric and space environment, especially the highly varied and highly variable physical phenomena that occur in this natural laboratory and the processes that couple them.The journal covers the physical processes operating in the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, magnetosphere, the Sun, interplanetary medium, and heliosphere. Phenomena occurring in other "spheres", solar influences on climate, and supporting laboratory measurements are also considered. The journal deals especially with the coupling between the different regions.Geoeffective solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and other energetic events on the Sun lead to geomagnetic disturbances of the Earth's magnetosphere and directly affect processes in the Earth's ionosphere and atmosphere. Such processes in the solar-terrestrial chain of connections are determined by time intervals and are united in the concepts of "space weather" and "space climate". These topics are central to the Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, and the journal welcomes papers that lead toward a predictive understanding of the coupled system. Regarding the upper atmosphere, the subjects of aeronomy, geomagnetism and geoelectricity, auroral phenomena, radio wave propagation, and plasma instabilities, are examples within the broad field of solar-terrestrial physics which emphasise the energy exchange between the solar wind, the magnetospheric and ionospheric plasmas, and the neutral gas. In the lower atmosphere, topics covered range from mesoscale to global scale dynamics, to atmospheric electricity, lightning and its effects, and to anthropogenic changes.Submissions on these topics may include:The results of experiments and their interpretations, and results of theoretical or modelling studies;Papers dealing with remote sensing carried out from the ground or space and with in situ studies made from rockets or from satellites orbiting the Earth;and,Plans for future research, often carried out within programs of international scope.The Journal also encourages papers involving:Large scale collaborations, especially those with an international perspective;Rapid communications;Papers dealing with novel techniques or methodologies;Commissioned review papers on topical subjects and tutorial reviews;and,Special issues arising from chosen scientific symposia or workshops.JASTP aims to publish innovative research and as such, papers representing incremental improvements to previous studies will, in general, not be considered for publication. Case studies should be of broad interest to the diverse international readership of JASTP and so papers of limited or local significance are not appropriate for this journal.This journal welcomes contributions that support and advance the UN's sustainable development goals, in particular SDG 13 (Climate Action)
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Geochemistry & Geophysics
Editor-in-chief Costas VAROTSOSPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 5 in mainland China (about 19%); most named United States 6, Mainland China 5, United Kingdom 5, Germany 2, Russia 2 (26 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamicsPhysics and Astronomy23.8%
- Solar and Space Plasma DynamicsPhysics and Astronomy15.8%
- Atmospheric Ozone and ClimateEarth and Planetary Sciences8.6%
- Earthquake Detection and AnalysisEarth and Planetary Sciences8.3%
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism StudiesBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology6.6%
- GNSS positioning and interferenceEngineering4.2%
- Climate variability and modelsEnvironmental Science3.4%
- Atmospheric aerosols and cloudsEnvironmental Science3.3%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Earth Sciences Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Geochemistry & Geophysics | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Earth Sciences Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Geochemistry & Geophysics | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Earth Sciences Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Geochemistry & Geophysics | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 2.15LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 2.2Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 3LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 3Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.48LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.81LetPub ·
- h-index
- 79LetPub ·
- h-index
- 129OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 3,302OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 2.15OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 13.6%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 10.79%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 220LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 6,026 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 232 | 47 | 94 |
| 2025 | 237 | 29 | 431 |
| 2024 | 183 | 60 | 877 |
| 2023 | 106 | 60 | 709 |
| 2022 | 101 | 36 | 673 |
| 2021 | 177 | 76 | 2,142 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
146 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports 3–6 weeks
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Average review time (community reports)
- 3–6 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 3 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 66 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 146 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 3 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 2,770 / EUR 2,590 / GBP 2,220 / JPY 343,560 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 2,590 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare8 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Reference style
- Vancouver
- First submission
- Free format: the journal's layout is not required
- Suggested reviewers
- Required
- Highlights
- Required
- Graphical abstract
- Required
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted3
- rapid communicationThe types of papers that can be submitted to the journal are as follows: Research Paper, Review Article, Rapid Communication. Please note that only invited Revi…Length not stated
- research paperThe types of papers that can be submitted to the journal are as follows: Research Paper, Review Article, Rapid Communication. Please note that only invited Revi…Length not stated
- review articleThe types of papers that can be submitted to the journal are as follows: Research Paper, Review Article, Rapid Communication. Please note that only invited Revi…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Keywords: 1 to 7 Model summary
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Prior publication: preprint, abstract, lecture, thesis, registered report allowed Model summary
The work described has not been published previously except in the form of a preprint, an abstract, a published lecture, academic thesis or registered report.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Peer review type: single anonymized review process Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharing allowed, not prior publication Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication. In support of Open Science, this journal offers its authors a free preprint posting service on SSRN, Elsevier’s preprint and early research …
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Country or region
- ENGLAND
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Monthly
- ISSN
- 1364-6826
- Electronic ISSN
- 1879-1824
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics
What CAS zone is Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics is in Zone 4 of Earth Sciences, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Geochemistry & Geophysics / Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 4 of Earth Sciences. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 2.15; CiteScore 3, h-index 129.
How long does peer review take at Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics?
The publisher reports about 146 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of 3–6 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Reference style: Vancouver; First submission: Free format: the journal's layout is not required; Suggested reviewers: Required; Highlights: Required; Graphical abstract: Required; Cover letter: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics based?
Of the 26 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 5 (about 19%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (6), Mainland China (5) and United Kingdom (5). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics open access, and what is the APC?
Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 2,770.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .