HR: 0800h
AN: SA31A-0359    [Abstracts]
TI: 4D Imaging of the High Latitude Ionosphere: Observations and Scientific Results
AU: * Bust, G S
EM: gbust@arlut.utexas.edu
AF: Applied Research Laboratories, The University of Texas at Austin, 10000 Burnet, Austin, TX 78758 United States
AU: Crowley, G
EM: kimcrowley@satx.rr.com
AF: Atmospheric and Space Technology Research Associates, 11118 Quail Pass, San Antonio, TX 78249 United States
AB: Ionospheric imaging is defined as estimating a four dimensional (three spatial dimensions plus time) regional or global grid of electron densities, by use of a number of ground and spaced-based data sources. Typically, the primary data source used in ionospheric imaging is ground total electron content (TEC) observations obtained from the worldwide network of GPS receivers (now numbering more than 1300), however many other data sources are available that increase the fidelity of the ionospheric reconstructions. As defined here, ionospheric imaging is simply the attempt to estimate, as accurately as possible, the 4D electron density within the ionosphere. Vertial GPS TEC maps, while similar to ionospheric imaging, only provide 2D horizontal spatial structure. Ionospheric imaging includes information on the altitude distribution of the plasma. Ionospheric imaging can be used to observationally investigate the structured response of the ionospheric electron density to underlying physical drivers on a large number of spatial and temporal scales. This presentation will begin by describing the ionospheric imaging method Ionospheric Data Assimilation Three-Dimensional (IDA3D), the underlying mathematical and inversions methods used, and the current status of the algorithm. We will then present results obtained from IDA3D imaging of the Northern high-latitude ionosphere, and some of the science that has been investigated based upon the imaging results. Imaging of the high latitude polar ionosphere contributes to the science objectives of the Geospace Electrodynamic Connections (GEC) Mission by improving our understanding of response of the IT system to solar and magnetospheric forcing processes.
DE: 2447 Modeling and forecasting
DE: 2475 Polar cap ionosphere
DE: 2788 Magnetic storms and substorms (7954)
DE: 6982 Tomography and imaging (7270, 8180)
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005