HR: 13:40h
AN: SM43E-01    [Abstracts]
TI: Validating SWMF Particle Density and Energy: Initial Results
AU: * Welling, D T
EM: dwelling@umich.edu
AF: University of Michigan Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, Space Research Building University of Michigan 2455 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, United States
AU: Ridley, A J
EM: ridley@umich.edu
AF: University of Michigan Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, Space Research Building University of Michigan 2455 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, United States
AU: Gombosi, T I
EM: tamas@umich.edu
AF: University of Michigan Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, Space Research Building University of Michigan 2455 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, United States
AU: De Zeeuw, D
EM: darrens@umich.edu
AF: University of Michigan Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, Space Research Building University of Michigan 2455 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, United States
AU: Toth, G
EM: gtoth@umich.edu
AF: University of Michigan Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, Space Research Building University of Michigan 2455 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, United States
AB: First principle-based models can be a powerful tool for scientific and operational space weather forecasting and analysis. A key step for improving current models and preparing them for operational use is thorough data-model comparisons. Of particular interest is particle density and energy distribution in the magnetosphere, which are key values for spacecraft surface charging calculations. In this study, we compare particle density and energy spectrum values generated by the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF) to in situ LANL geosynchronous measurements. The SWMF is configured to use a self-consistent ionospheric electrodynamics model, the BATSRUS global MHD model, and the Rice Convection Model (RCM). Coupling these models allows for tracing the magnetic field lines from the MHD solution to provide the RCM with an improved open/closed field line boundary. It also allows for the extraction of the RCM solution along any satellite trajectory by tracing the magnetic field line from the 3D location of the satellite to the 2D RCM ionospheric grid. The SWMF is further configured to run in near-real time on 32 Columbia SGI processors, creating a solution that better reflects the SWMF's capabilities in an operational environment. This study is an extension of previous work to validate the SWMF's modeled magnetic field.
DE: 0550 Model verification and validation
DE: 2722 Forecasting (7924, 7964)
DE: 2730 Magnetosphere: inner
DE: 2753 Numerical modeling
SC: SPA-Magnetospheric Physics [SM]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting