SAMI3 ICON: MODEL OF THE IONOSPHERE/PLASMASPHERE SYSTEM

Area of Science:

• Space Physics
• Atmospheric Science
• Aeronomy

Background:

• The ionosphere and plasmasphere are critical regions of Earth's upper atmosphere, influencing radio communications and satellite operations.
• Accurate modeling of these regions is essential for understanding space weather and its impacts.
• The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) ionosphere/plasmasphere model, SAMI3, is a key tool for such studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To modify the SAMI3 model to support the NASA Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) mission.
• To enable daily runs of the SAMI3 ICON model for providing real-time ionosphere and thermosphere data.
• To enhance the scientific community's access to critical ionospheric and plasmaspheric parameters.

Main Methods:

• The SAMI3 model was adapted, creating a version named SAMI3 ICON.
• SAMI3 ICON was enhanced to import thermospheric composition, temperature, and winds from the Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM-ICON).
• High-latitude electric potential data from the Assimilative Model of Ionospheric Electrodynamics (AMIE) were incorporated.

Main Results:

• The modified SAMI3 ICON model is operational and ready for daily use during the ICON mission.
• The model will provide essential ionospheric and plasmaspheric parameters, including electron and ion densities, temperatures, and velocities.
• Key outputs will include total electron content (TEC), peak ionospheric electron density (NmF2), and the height of the F layer at NmF2 (hmF2).

Conclusions:

• The SAMI3 ICON model represents a significant advancement in simulating the ionosphere and plasmasphere.
• Daily data provision will greatly benefit the NASA ICON mission and the broader space science community.
• This enhanced modeling capability will improve our understanding of upper atmospheric dynamics and space weather.