Space Weather: Thermospheric Density and Wind Perturbations during Geomagnetically Disturbed Periods

University Of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

As part of this project, densities and cross-track (quasi-zonal) winds at 400-450 km will be derived from accelerometer measurements by the STAR accelerometer experiment on the CHAMP and GRACE satellites from 2000 through 2004. On a storm-by-storm basis, the magnitude of storm response, degree of equatorward penetration, time delays, and other characteristics of the density perturbations will be examined, interpreted and compared with predictions by empirical models. Wind patterns will also be derived and interpreted. The full data set will be deposited in the CEDAR database. Corrections will be made to the J70 model currently in use at NORAD, so as to better reproduce the observed density perturbations.