W. Wang et al., A real-time model-observation comparison of F-2 peak electron densities during the Upper Atmospheric Research Collaboratory campaign of October 1997, J GEO R-S P, 106(A10), 2001, pp. 21077-21082
The first-principles, time-dependent Thermosphere-Ionosphere Nested Grid (T
ING) Model has been run automatically in real time to support the Upper Atm
ospheric Research Collaboratory (UARC) campaigns. This real-time modeling c
apability is the first published description of the running of a comprehens
ive model of the coupled thermosphere-ionosphere system that successfully p
erforms real-time nowcasts and short-term forecasts of the upper atmosphere
. These nowcasts and forecasts use observed real-time geophysical parameter
s as model input. Real-time modeling also provides an opportunity to evalua
te rigorously the accuracy of the model for space weather purposes by compa
ring model outputs with observations. Digisonde-derived F-2 peak electron d
ensities from three sites (Millstone Hill, Tromso, and Sondre Stromfjord) w
ere compared with the corresponding TING model outputs during the October 1
4-29, 1997, UARC campaign. It is found that under solar minimum, equinox, g
eomagnetically quiet conditions, the F-2 peak electron densities simulated
by the model were in good agreement with those observed by the Digisondes.
At both midlatitudes and high latitudes the TING Model almost reproduced th
e observed diurnal variations of F-2 peak electron densities. There were, h
owever, short-period variations of F-2 peak electron densities during both
day and night that were not simulated by the model.