On the consistency of satellite measurements of thermospheric composition and solar EUV irradiance with Australian ionosonde electron density data

Abstract

Using a comprehensive ionosphere model, we demonstrate that satellite measurements of solar EUV irradiances, neutral densities, and temperatures are consistent with Australian ionosonde measurements of the electron density from 2002 to 2006. Our approach is to adjust the model neutral densities and temperature to determine the changes that are needed to reproduce the electron density. These model‐derived neutral densities and temperatures are found to agree well with measurements of neutral density and temperatures from the GUVI instrument on the TIMED satellite for both magnetically quiet and disturbed conditions. This technique opens up the prospect of using the vast ionosonde database to improve temporal variations of empirical models of the thermosphere during magnetic storms. It could also help validate key global general circulation models of the thermosphere and ionosphere. The model calculations also demonstrate the importance of vibrationally excited N2 in the ionosphere. It is particularly important in producing negative ionosphere storms and also helps explain the rapid recovery after the storms.