Real-time comparisons of ionospheric data with outputs from the UAF eulerian parallel polar ionosphere model

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2007The UAF theoretical polar ionospheric model (UAF EPPIM) solves 3D equations of mass, momentum, and energy balance for multiple ion species to determine ion and electron parameters in the polar ionosphere region using a parallel numerical code on an Eulerian grid. Real time operation of the model is very important because users are interested in current space weather conditions. Real-time validation of this model with available experimental data is an important task for the following reasons. (1) Real-time validation can provide much information about the model quality and define the directions of improvement. (2) Real-time comparisons help to determine trusted intervals for the model parameters for future data assimilation tasks. In this work, we have developed an operational real-time comparisons capability which assimilates HAARP (High frequency Active Auroral Research Program) experimental data for the model validation purposes. Software has been developed to emulate Total Electron Content (TEC). Results are then compared with real-time data from HAARP. Further, we have developed a Computerized Ionospheric Tomography (ClT) model which provides ionosphere tomography images covering five different stations in Alaska along the geomagnetic latitude (50-78 degrees). Then these images are compared with real-time ionosphere tomography images obtained at the HAARP website.1. Introduction -- 2. Coordinate systems overview -- 3. The ionosphere and its monitoring -- 4. GPS total electron content comparisons -- 5. Ionospheric tomography -- 6. Software development -- 7. Summary, conclusions, and future work -- References -- Appendix: NOAA format data file