HR: 14:27h
AN: SA13B-04    [Abstracts]
TI: Understanding the ionosphere-thermosphere system through modeling and data assimilation
AU: * Lu, G
EM: ganglu@ucar.edu
AF: High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, 3450 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO 80307-3000 United States
AU: Richmond, A D
EM: richmond@ucar.edu
AF: High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, 3450 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO 80307-3000 United States
AU: Roble, R G
EM: roble@ucar.edu
AF: High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, 3450 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO 80307-3000 United States
AB: The ionosphere and thermosphere constitute an important part of near Earth space environment where low-Earth orbiting satellites operate and through which communication and navigation signals are being transmitted. The ionosphere-thermosphere system is, however, subject to several geophysical forcings originating from the Sun. The interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere results in a fraction of the solar wind energy and plasma being transmitted into the magnetosphere, and subsequently into the ionosphere and thermosphere to produce auroras and other geomagnetic phenomena. Solar energetic particles penetrate into the upper and middle atmosphere to cause significant ionization and chemical effects. Solar UV and EUV radiation is the main source of energy for heating, ionization, and photochemical reactions in the thermosphere and ionosphere. The LWS' Ionosphere-Thermosphere Storm Probe (ITSP) mission is designated to monitor the variability of the ionosphere-thermosphere system in response to these geophysical forcings. The Assimilative Mapping of Ionospheric Electrodynamics (AMIE) procedure and the Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Mesosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIME-GCM) are well suited to contribute to the scientific objectives of the ITSP mission. In this talk we will discuss the capabilities of AMIE and TIME-GCM, and jointly, how they can provide a better understanding of the impact of various external forcings on the ionosphere-thermosphere system.
DE: 2427 Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions (0335)
DE: 2431 Ionosphere/magnetosphere interactions (2736)
DE: 2435 Ionospheric disturbances
DE: 2437 Ionospheric dynamics
DE: 2479 Solar radiation and cosmic ray effects
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly