Model Atmosphere

We would like to run all the models for the same set of input conditions, where possible. This includes specifying the atmospheric conditions, but different models handle the atmosphere in different ways.

Steve Bougher graciously agreed to provide results from his MTGCM for use in this modeling activity. The model was run for F10.7 = 130 conditions (Equinox / Solar Moderate), and altitude profiles for neutral and ion species were computed as a function of solar zenith angle (SZA). That is, densities for each species are given as a function of altitude (5 km resolution) and solar zenith angle (5 degree resolution). Steve took an equatorial cut in SZA from his model. Full 3D model results are available if the group would like to use those instead (Dave just thought it would be simpler to take the local time dependence out).

If possible, please parse the following input file to specify neutral and/or ion density profiles for your model. Only use the ionospheric densities if your model does not derive them from neutral profiles.
ASCII data file
Contains the following quantities as a function of altitude (100 to 260 in 5km steps) and SZA (longitude -180 to 180 in 5 degree steps): T (K), O (#/cm3), CO (#/cm3), N2 (#/cm3), CO2 (#/cm3), Total Den (#/cm3), O2+ (#/cm3), O+ (#/cm3), NE (#/cm3) ASCII README file
***Caution: Read the accompanying notes below before using***

Notes:

• Large values of fields (i.e. 0.1E+37) appear in slots for which the MTGCM model domain does not reach the altitude in question. This occurs in locations for which temperatures are cold and scale heights are smaller.
  
  
• Nightside ion densities are set to -10.0 to indicate that values are not given by the MTGCM. This is consistent with the need to apply an ion transport (e.g. Nagy-Ma MHD) or particle precipitation (e.g. Fillingim et al., 2007) code to the simulation. This is outside the scope of the numerics of the MTGCM.