Proton transport model: A review

The linear transport model for the proton aurora developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory is reviewed. Emphasis is given on the discussion of th e studies where the predictions of the model were compared with those of ot her theoretical methods and with the available data. The excellent agreemen t between the linear transport model and other theoretical methods gives cr edence to the accuracy of the numerical technique adopted in solving the tr ansport equations, while good to excellent agreements between theory and ob servations indicate that the transport model adequately describes the impor tant physics issues of the problem. It is concluded here that our ability t o accurately model the proton aurora is limited only by the uncertainties i n the input cross-section data (for some collision processes) and by our in adequate information about the incident proton spectra. Some discussions in this regard are included.