Assessment of Ionospheric Models package for the Community Coordinated Modeling Center: Climatology

Abstract

[1] Due to the paucity of ionospheric density observations, ionospheric models are important for constructing the day-to-day 3-D specifications of electron density. Quality specifications are required to mitigate ionospheric influences on modern GPS navigation and communications technologies. The Arecibo Radar Observatory Incoherent Scatter Radar has provided F region electron density profiles spanning 50 years and 4 solar cycles. We have collected, reduced, and cleaned the Arecibo radar electron density profiles to create a ground truth database for use in the metric assessment of the accuracy of empirical and physics-based ionospheric models. The metrics and skill assessments within this Assessment of Ionospheric Models package are described herein. The assessment package will be implemented at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center to provide a Web-based generator of metrics and skill scores based on several electron density profile parameters: peak density values, peak density altitudes, and the shape of the electron density profile with altitude. This Assessment of Ionospheric Models package will greatly assist in improving current models of the ionosphere.