A steady-state F-region model and its use for satellite data analysis

Abstract

A steady-state mathematical model of the Earth's upper ionosphere and plasmasphere is presented. In the model the equations of continuity, momentum, and energy balance for O+, H+, and He+ ions are solved numerically along dipole magnetic field lines. As an extension of the model, a searching method is developed for de- termination of the boundary values in a self-consistent manner. Model results are compared with Atmosphere Explorer satellite measurements.