Comparing IRI and IRI-Real-Time with SWARM Electron Density Data

Abstract:

We will present first comparisons between the electron densities measured by the SWARM Langmuir Probes and the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) (Bilitza et al., 2014) involving both the standard IRI and the Real-Time IRI. The Real-Time IRI is based on the IRI Real-Time Assimilative Mapping (IRTAM) algorithm for the F2 peak density and height that was developed by Galkin et al. (2012). IRTAM assimilates digisonde data from the Global Ionosphere Radio Observatory (GIRO) into the IRI-CCIR models for the F-peak parameters.

The goals of this study are twofold. On one hand our comparisons are intended to help and to support SWARM validation efforts for the electron density and on the other hand our comparisons are intended to investigate how well the IRI Real-Time algorithm reproduces detailed spatial and temporal structures that are not included in the standard IRI. The results will be a starting point for future inclusion of SWARM data into the assimilative Real-Time IRI process.

Bilitza Dieter, David Altadill, Yongliang Zhang, Chris Mertens, Vladimir Truhlik, Phil Richards, Lee-Anne McKinnell, and Bodo Reinisch, The International Reference Ionosphere 2012 – A Model of International Collaboration, J, Space Weather Space Clim., 4, A07(1-12), DOI: 10.1051/swsc/2014004, 2014.

Galkin, I. A., B. W. Reinisch, X. Huang, and D. Bilitza (2012), Assimilation of GIRO data into a real-time IRI, Radio Sci., 47, RS0L07, doi:10.1029/2011RS004952.