Analytical representation of IZMEM model for near-real time prediction of electromagnetic weather

In this study we describe an analytical representation of the IZMIRAN Elect rodynamic Model (IZMEM) that allows easy calculation of a number of ionosph eric parameters for any point above the corrected geomagnetic latitude phi greater than or equal to 57 degrees over the Northern and Southern polar re gions and for all seasons of a year. These are the distributions of ionosph eric electric potentials. electric fields, field-aligned and ionospheric cu rrents. horizontal ion drift velocities, Joule heating rate, and ground mag netic disturbances. Comparisons of the modeling results with the Heppner-Ma ynard and Foster ionospheric convection models as well as with various sate llite observations are also presented and discussed. A simple, inexpensive scheme is suggested for specifications and forecast of polar ionospheric co nvection patterns solely from interplanetary observations made at the Lagra ngian L1 point upstream in the solar wind. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.