EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Schunk et al. 2004
Schunk, R.W., Scherliess, L., Sojka, J.J., Thompson, D.C., Anderson, D.N., Codrescu, M., Minter, C., Fuller-Rowell, T.J., Heelis, R.A., Hairston, M. and Howe, B.M. (2004). Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements (GAIM). Radio Science 39: doi: 10.1029/2002RS002794. issn: 0048-6604.

The ionosphere is a highly dynamic medium that exhibits weather disturbances at all latitudes, longitudes, and altitudes, and these disturbances can have detrimental effects on both military and civilian systems. In an effort to mitigate the adverse effects, we are developing a physics-based data assimilation model of the ionosphere and neutral atmosphere called the Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements (GAIM). GAIM will use a physics-based ionosphere-plasmasphere model and a Kalman filter as a basis for assimilating a diverse set of real-time (or near real-time) measurements. Some of the data to be assimilated include in situ density measurements from satellites, ionosonde electron density profiles, occultation data, ground-based GPS total electron contents (TECs), two-dimensional ionospheric density distributions from tomography chains, and line-of-sight UV emissions from selected satellites. When completed, GAIM will provide specifications and forecasts on a spatial grid that can be global, regional, or local. The primary output of GAIM will be a continuous reconstruction of the three-dimensional electron density distribution from 90 km to geosynchronous altitude (35,000 km). GAIM also outputs auxiliary parameters, including NmF2, hmF2, NmE, hmE, and slant and vertical TEC. Furthermore, GAIM provides global distributions for the ionospheric drivers (neutral winds and densities, magnetospheric and equatorial electric fields, and electron precipitation patterns). In its specification mode, GAIM yields quantitative estimates for the accuracy of the reconstructed ionospheric densities.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Ionosphere, Modeling and forecasting, Ionosphere, Plasma temperature and density, Ionosphere, Equatorial ionosphere, Ionosphere, Midlatitude ionosphere, Ionosphere, Polar cap ionosphere, ionosphere, assimilation, Kalman filter, plasmasphere
Journal
Radio Science
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit