Systematic Evaluation of Ionosphere/Thermosphere (IT) Models: CEDAR Electrodynamics Thermosphere Ionosphere (ETI) Challenge (2009–2010)

In order to model and predict the weather of the near-Earth space environment, it is necessary to understand the important coupling mechanisms from the surface of the Sun to the Earth's ionosphere, including its coupling with the atmosphere below. This chapter reports the simulations of the mid-latitude to low-latitude ionosphere. Multiday simulations during the Whole Heliosphere Interval (WHI) 2008 are performed using two versions of SAMI3 model: (1) SAMI3 with externally specified E X B drifts and (2) SAMI3 with a potential solver to self-consistently specify electric fields. The results are compared with GPS-derived global total electron content (TEC) maps. The chapter details the E X B drifts calculated by the self-consistent SAMI3 and compares these results with an empirical model. It provides initial results for a multi-year run of the descending phase of Solar Cycle 23 to illustrate the broader range of Integrated Sun-Earth System (ISES) activity underway.