Development of a Global Ionospheric Forecast Model.

Abstract

Our 3-dimensional, time-dependent model of the global ionosphere was streamlined in an effort to develop a computationally fast, user friendly, reliable, Ionospheric Forecast Model (IFM) for Air Weather Services. The model yields predictions for the molecular and oxygen ion densities and the ion and electron temperatures over the globe at E and F region altitudes. The model also contains a simple algorithm for predicting H+ densities in the F region. The inputs needed by the IFM are global distributions of the neutral densities, temperatures, and winds, the auroral oval precipitation, the magnetospheric and dynamo electric fields, and the topside electron heat flux. Because of the model's modular construction, the IFM can readily accept different global input patterns and, hence, has the capability of being driven by real-time inputs from Air Force satellites or ground-based sites. In the current version of the model, the input patterns have been selected and the IFM is therefore self-contained and can be driven by simple geophysical indices. (AN)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 14, 1994
Accession Number
ADA294774

Entities

People

  • J. J. Sojka
  • R. W. Schunk

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Databases
  • Differential Equations
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Density
  • Electron Energy
  • Electrons
  • Grids
  • Ground Based
  • Ion Density
  • Ionosphere
  • Meteorological Satellites
  • Radiation
  • Three Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space