W. Wang et al., A high-resolution, three-dimensional, time dependent, nested grid model ofthe coupled thermosphere-ionosphere, J ATMOS S-P, 61(5), 1999, pp. 385-397
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Earth Sciences
Journal title
JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL PHYSICS
First results are presented from a 3-D, time dependent, high resolution, ne
sted grid model that has been developed to study mesoscale processes in the
global, coupled thermosphere-ionosphere system. This new Thermosphere-Iono
sphere Nested Grid (TING) model, which is an extension of the National Cent
er for Atmospheric Research's thermosphere-ionosphere general circulation m
odel (NCAR-TIGCM), runs on a UNIX workstation. The TING model simultaneousl
y calculates global (coarse resolution) and local (high resolution) distrib
utions of:neutral and plasma winds, temperature and composition. It is comp
rised of two coupled codes-a global TIGCM and an adjustable nested grid cod
e which uses the same solvers as the TIGCM, but has higher spatial and temp
oral resolution. The size, location and level of nesting of the high resolu
tion grid(s) are adjustable to suit the specific application. The coupling
between the coarse (TIGCM) grid and the nested interior grids is via a 'one
-way interaction' scheme. In this Scheme, the TIGCM output influences the n
ested grid model by providing initial conditions and temporally evolving bo
undary conditions, but the outputs from the nested grid are not permitted t
o influence the TIGCM. Diurnally-reproducible results of the TING model are
presented for solar-maximum, winter solstice, geomagnetically-quiet condit
ions. The TING model successfully simulates well-known thermosphere-ionosph
ere features that are smeared or not modeled at the spatial resolutions use
d in standard TIGCM's. These include the sub-auroral electron density troug
h, the polar cap 'hole' and the polar cap 'tongue of ionization'. (C) 1999
Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.