Earth ID: 4504

Exploring the Ionosphere: The Dayside Ionosphere

Visualizations by Tom Bridgman Released on October 27, 2016

A view of the singly-ionizing oxygen atom on the dayside of Earth. This represents the variation of the enhancments due to variation in the geomagnetic field. This version interpolates the IRI model to a higher time cadence for a smoother animation.

The colors over Earth represent model data from the IRI (International Reference Ionosphere) model of the density of the singly-ionized oxygen atom at an altitude of 350 kilometers. Red represents high density. The ion density is enhanced above and below the geomagnetic equator (not perfectly aligned with the geographic equator) on the dayside due to the ionizing effects of solar ultraviolet radiation combined with the effects of high-altitude winds and the geomagnetic field. This ion density decreases at night as the ions recombine with free electrons.

A view of the singly-ionizing oxygen atom on the dayside of Earth. This represents the variation of the enhancments due to variation in the geomagnetic field. In this version, the oxygen ion ionosphere model is sampled at 15 minute cadence which creates some 'jumping' in the ionosphere enhancements.

Alternate Version

Visualization Credits

Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Lead Visualizer
Jeff Klenzing: Lead Scientist
Sarah L. Jones (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Sarah Frazier (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Writer
Genna Duberstein (USRA): Lead Producer
Laurence Schuler (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Technical Support
Ian Jones (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Technical Support

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

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Data Used:

International Reference Ionosphere also referred to as: IRI 2016

Model

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This item is part of this series:
Interface to Space

Keywords:
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Sun-earth Interactions >> Ionosphere/Magnetosphere Particles
SVS >> Hyperwall
NASA Science >> Earth
SVS >> Presentation

GCMD keywords can be found on the Internet with the following citation: Olsen, L.M., G. Major, K. Shein, J. Scialdone, S. Ritz, T. Stevens, M. Morahan, A. Aleman, R. Vogel, S. Leicester, H. Weir, M. Meaux, S. Grebas, C.Solomon, M. Holland, T. Northcutt, R. A. Restrepo, R. Bilodeau, 2013. NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords. Version 8.0.0.0.0