Abstract
Numerical modeling tools can be used for a number of reasons yielding many benefits in their application to planetary upper atmosphere and ionosphere environments. These tools are commonly used to predict upper atmosphere and ionosphere characteristics and to interpret measurements once they are obtained. Additional applications of these tools include conducting diagnostic balance studies, converting raw measurements into useful physical parameters, and comparing features and processes of different planetary atmospheres. This chapter focuses upon various classes of upper atmosphere and ionosphere numerical modeling tools, the equations solved and key assumptions made, specified inputs and tunable parameters, their common applications, and finally their notable strengths and weaknesses. Examples of these model classes and their specific applications to individual planetary environments will be described.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
N. Achilleos, S. Miller, J. Tennyson, A. Aylward, I. Mueller-Wodarg, D. Rees, J. Geophys. Res. 103, 20089–20112 (1998). doi:10.1029/98JE00947
N. Achilleos, S. Miller, R. Prangé, G. Millward, M.K. Dougherty, N.J. Phys. 3 (2001). doi:10.1088/1367-2630/3/1/303
M. Angelats i Coll, F. Forget, M.A. López-Valverde, P.L. Read, S.R. Lewis, J. Geophys. Res. 109, 1011 (2003). doi:10.1029/2003JE002163
J.M. Bell, The dynamics of the upper atmospheres of Mars and Titan. Ph.D Thesis, University of Michigan (2008)
J.M. Bell, S.W. Bougher, V. De LaHaye, J.H. Waite Jr., A. Ridley, Eos Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 87(Jt. Assem. Suppl.) (2006), abstract U52A-06
J.M. Bell, S.W. Bougher, J.R. Murphy, J. Geophys. Res. 112, E12002 (2007). doi:10/1029/2006JE002856
J.-L. Bertaux et al., Science 307, 566–569 (2005)
G.A. Bird, Phys. Fluids 6, 1518–1519 (1963)
G.A. Bird, Molecular Gas Dynamics and the Direct Simulations of Gas Flows (Clarendon, Oxford, 1994)
V. Boqueho, P.-L. Blelly, J. Geophys. Res. 110, A01313 (2005). doi:10.1029/2004JA010414
S.W. Bougher et al., Icarus 68, 284–312 (1986)
S.W. Bougher, R.E. Dickinson, E.C. Ridley, R.G. Roble, Icarus 73, 545–573 (1988)
S.W. Bougher, J.C. Gerard, A.I.F. Stewart, C.G. Fesen, J. Geophys. Res. 95, 6271–6284 (1990)
S.W. Bougher, W.J. Borucki, J. Geophys. Res. 99, 3759–3776 (1994)
S.W. Bougher, D.M. Hunten, R.G. Roble, J. Geophys. Res. 99, 14609–14622 (1994)
S.W. Bougher, M.J. Alexander, H.G. Mayr, in Venus II, ed. by S.W. Bougher, D.M. Hunten, R.J. Philips (University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1997), pp. 259–292
S.W. Bougher, S. Engel, R.G. Roble, B. Foster, J. Geophys. Res. 104, 16591–16611 (1999a)
S.W. Bougher et al., Adv. Space Res. 23(11), 1887–1897 (1999b)
S.W. Bougher, S. Engel, R.G. Roble, B. Foster, J. Geophys. Res. 105, 17,669–17,689 (2000)
S.W. Bougher, R.G. Roble, T.J. Fuller-Rowell, in Atmospheres in the Solar System: Comparative Aeronomy, ed. by M. Mendillo, A. Nagy, H. Waite. Geophysical Monograph, vol. 130 (American Geophysical Union, Washington, 2002), pp. 261–288
S.W. Bougher, S. Engel, D.P. Hinson, J.R. Murphy, J. Geophys. Res. 109, E03010 (2004). doi:10.1029/2003JE002154
S.W. Bougher, J.H. Waite, T. Majeed, G.R. Gladstone, J. Geophys. Res. 110, E04008 (2005). doi:10.1029/2003JE002230
S.W. Bougher, S. Rafkin, P. Drossart, Planet. Space Sci. 54, 1371–1380 (2006a)
S.W. Bougher, J.M. Bell, J.R. Murphy, M.A. López-Valverde, P.G. Withers, Geophys. Res. Lett. 33, L02203 (2006b). doi:10.1029/2005GL024059
S.W. Bougher, A. Brecht, C. Parkinson, S. Rafkin, B. Foster, 37th COSPAR Scientific Assembly 2008, C32-0003-08 Abstract (2008)
B.A. Boville, J. Geophys. Res. 100, 9017–9039 (1995)
G.P. Brasseur et al., J. Geophys. Res. 103, 28265–28290 (1998)
A. Brecht, S.W. Bougher, S. Rafkin, B. Foster, Eos Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 88(52), (Fall Meeting Suppl.) (2007), abstract P33B-1299
J.Y. Chaufray et al., J. Geophys. Res. 112, E09009 (2007). doi:10.1029/2007JE002915
R.H. Chen, A.F. Nagy, J. Geophys. Res. 83, 1133–1140 (1978)
R.H. Chen, T.E. Cravens, A.F. Nagy, J. Geophys. Res. 83, 3871–3876 (1978)
F. Cipriani, F. Leblanc, J.J. Berthelier, J. Geophys. Res. 112, D07001 (2007). doi:10.1029/2006JE002818
M.R. Combi, Icarus 123, 207–226 (1996)
T.E. Cravens, T.I. Gombosi, A.F. Nagy, Nature 283, 178–180 (1980)
T.E. Cravens, A.J. Kliore, J.U. Kozyra, A.F. Nagy, J. Geophys. Res. 86, 11,323–11,329 (1981)
V. DeLa Haye, Coronal formation and heating efficiencies in Titan’s upper atmosphere: Construction of a coupled ion, neutral and thermal structure model to interpret the first INMS Cassini data. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2005)
Y. Deng, A.D. Richmond, A.J. Ridley, H. Liu, Geophys. Res. Lett. 35, L01104 (2008). doi:10.1029/2007GL032182
A.L. Dobbin, A.D. Aylward, M.J. Harris, J. Geophys. Res. 111, A07314 (2006). doi:10.1029/2005JA011543
A. Eviatar, A.D. Barbosa, J. Geophys. Res. 89, 7393–7398 (1984)
P.R. Field et al., J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys. 60, 523–543 (1998)
M.O. Fillingim et al., Geophys. Res. Lett. 34, L12101 (2007). doi:10.1029/2007GL029986
V.I. Fomichev et al., J. Geophys. Res. 107 (2002). doi:1029/2001JD000479
J.M. Forbes, F.G. Lemoine, S.L. Bruinsma, M.D. Smith, X. Zhang, Geophys. Res. Lett. 35, L01201 (2008). doi:10.1029/2007GL031904
F. Forget et al., J. Geophys. Res. 104, 24155–24176 (1999). doi:10.1029/1999JE001025
J.L. Fox, Icarus 51, 248–260 (1982)
J.L. Fox, Planet. Space Sci. 36, 37–46 (1988)
J.L. Fox, in Venus and Mars: Atmospheres, Ionospheres and Solar Wind Interaction, ed. by J.G. Luhmann, M. Tatrallyay, R. Pepin. Geophysical Monograph, vol. 66 (AGU Press, Washington, 1992), pp. 191–222
J.L. Fox, J. Geophys. Res. 109, A11310 (2004). doi:10.1029/2004JA010380
J.L. Fox, A. Dalgarno, J. Geophys. Res. 84, 7315–7333 (1979)
J.L. Fox, A. Dalgarno, J. Geophys. Res. 86, 629–639 (1981)
J.L. Fox, K.Y. Sung, J. Geophys. Res. 106(A10), 21305–21336 (2001)
J.L. Fox, K.E. Yeager, J. Geophys. Res. 111 (2006). doi:10.1029/2006JA011697
J.L. Fox, P. Zhou, S.W. Bougher, Adv. Space Res. 17, (11)203–(11)218 (1995)
T.J. Fuller-Rowell, J. Geophys. Res. 103, 3951–3956 (1998)
T.J. Fuller-Rowell, D. Rees, J. Atmos. Sci. 37, 2545–2567 (1980)
T.J. Fuller-Rowell, D. Rees, Planet. Space Sci. 10, 1209–1222 (1983)
T.J. Fuller-Rowell, D. Rees, S. Quegan, R.J. Moffett, G.J. Bailey, J. Geophys. Res. 92, 7744–7748 (1987)
T.J. Fuller-Rowell et al., in STEP Handbook on Ionospheric Models, ed. by R.W. Schunk (Utah State University, Logan, 1996)
T.J. Fuller-Rowell, G.H. Millward, A.D. Richmond, M.V. Codrescu, J. Atmos, Sol.-Terr. Phys. 64, 1383–1391 (2002)
F. González-Galindo, M.A. López-Valverde, M. Angelats i Coll, F. Forget, J. Geophys. Res. 110, 9005 (2004). doi:10.1029/2004JE002312
F. González-Galindo, F. Forget, M.A. López-Valverde, M. Angelats i Coll, S.W. Bougher, LPI Contributions 1353, 3099 (2007)
R.M. Haberle et al., J. Geophys. Res. 104(E4), 8957–8974 (1999)
W.B. Hanson, S. Sanatani, D.R. Zuccaro, J. Geophys. Res. 82, 4351–4367 (1977)
M.J. Harris, A new coupled middle atmosphere and thermosphere general circulation model: Studies of dynamic, energetic and photochemical coupling in the middle and upper atmosphere. Ph.D Thesis, University College London (2001)
R.R. Hodges, J. Geophys. Res. 105, 6971–6981 (2000)
R.R. Hodges, Geophys. Res. Lett. 29(3), 1038 (2002). doi:10.1029/2001GL013852
R.R. Hodges, B.A. Tinsley, J. Geophys. Res. 86, 7649–7656 (1981)
R.R. Hodges, B.A. Tinsley, J. Geophys. Res. 91, 13649–13659 (1986)
F. Hourdin, P. Le Van, F. Forget, O. Talagrand, Meteorological variability and the annual pressure cycle on Mars. J. Atmos. Sci. 50, 3625–3640 (1993)
W.B. Hubbard et al., Astron. Astrophys. 269, 541–563 (1993)
R.E. Johnson et al., Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)
W.T. Kasprzak et al., in Venus II, ed. by S.W. Bougher, D.M. Hunten, R.J. Philips (University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1997), pp. 225–257
G.M. Keating, N.C. Hsu, Geophys. Res. Letts. 20, 2751–2754 (1993)
G.M. Keating, J.Y. Nicholson III, L.R. Lake, J. Geophys. Res. 85, 7941–7956 (1980)
G.M. Keating et al., Science 279, 1672–1676 (1998)
G.M. Keating et al., Brief review on the results obtained with the MGS and Mars Odyssey 2001 Accelerometer Experiments. International Workshop: Mars Atmosphere Modeling and Observations, Inst. de Astrofis. de Andalucia, Granada, Spain, paper (2003)
D. Kella, L. Vejby-Christenson, P.J. Johnson, H.B. Pedersen, L.H. Andersen, Science 276, 1530–1533 (1997)
J.T. Khiel et al., J. Clim. 11, 1131–1149 (1998)
J. Kim, A.F. Nagy, T.E. Cravens, A.J. Kliore, J. Geophys. Res. 94, 11,997–12,002 (1989)
J. Kim, A.F. Nagy, J.L. Fox, T.E. Cravens, J. Geophys. Res. 103(12), 29,339–29,342 (1998)
Y.H. Kim, S. Son, Y. Yi, J. Kim, J. Kor. Ast. Soc. 34, 25–29 (2001)
A.J. Kliore, G.S. Levy, D.L. Cain, G. Fjeldbo, S.I. Rasool, Science 205, 99–102 (1967)
V.A. Krasnopolsky, Photochemistry of the Atmospheres of Mars and Venus (Springer, Berlin, 1982)
V.A. Krasnopolsky, J. Geophys. Res. 107(E12), 5128 (2002). doi:10.1029/2001JE001809
M.A. Krestyanikova, V.I. Shematovitch, Sol. Syst. Res. 39, 22–32 (2005)
S. Kumar, D.M. Hunten, J. Geophys. Res. 79, 2529–2532 (1974)
S.R. Lewis et al., J. Geophys. Res. 104, 24,177–24,194 (1999)
H.-L. Liu, R.G. Roble, J. Geophys. Res. 107(D23), 4695 (2002). doi:10.1029/2001JD001533
H.-L. Liu, R.G. Roble, Geophys. Res. Lett. 32, L13804 (2005). doi:10.1029/2005GL022939
K. Lodders, B. Fegley Jr., The Planetary Scientists Companion (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998)
M.A. López-Valverde, D.P. Edwards, M. López-Puertas, C. Roldán, J. Geophys. Res. 103(E7), 16,799–16,812 (1998)
J.G. Luhmann, J.U. Kozyra, J. Geophys. Res. 96, 5457–5467 (1991)
Y. Ma, A.F. Nagy, I.V. Sokolov, K.C. Hansen, J. Geophys. Res. 109, A07211 (2004). doi:10.1029/2003JA010367
T. Majeed, J.H. Waite Jr., S.W. Bougher, G.R. Gladstone, J. Geophys. Res. 110, E12007 (2005). doi:10.1029/2004JE002351
T. Majeed, J.H. Waite Jr., S.W. Bougher, G.R. Gladstone, J. Geophys. Res. (2008, submitted)
C.R. Martinis, J.K. Wilson, M.J. Mendillo, J. Geophys. Res. 108(A10), 1383 (2003). doi:10.1029/2003/JA009973
E. Mazarico, M.T. Zuber, F.G. Lemoine, D.E. Smith, Eos Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 88(Fall Meeting Suppl.) (2007), abstract P32A-04
T.L. McDunn et al., The 7th International Conference on Mars, Pasadena, CA (2007), abstract XX
T.L. McDunn et al., AGU Chapman conference on the solar wind interaction with Mars. San Diego (2008), abstract A-07
M.B. McElroy, Astrophys. J. 150, 1125–1138 (1967)
M.B. McElroy, J. Geophys. Res. 73, 1513–1521 (1968a)
M.B. McElroy, J. Atmos. Sci. 25, 574–577 (1968b)
M.B. McElroy, J. Geophys. Res. 74, 29–42 (1969)
M.B. McElroy et al., Science 194, 1295–1298 (1976)
M.B. McElroy, T.Y. Kong, Y.L. Yung, A.O. Nier, Science 194, 1295–1298 (1976)
G.H. Millward, R.J. Moffett, S. Quegan, T.J. Fuller-Rowell, in STEP Handbook on Ionospheric Models, ed. by R.W. Schunk (Utah State University, Logan, 1996a)
G.H. Millward, H. Rishbeth, R.J. Moffett, S. Quegan, T.J. Fuller-Rowell, J. Geophys. Res. 101, 5149–5156 (1996b)
G.H. Millward et al., J. Geophys. Res. 106(A11), 24,733–24,744 (2001)
G.H. Millward, S. Miller, A.D. Aylward, I.C.F. Mueller-Wodarg, N. Achilleos, in Comparative Atmospheres in the Solar System, ed. by M. Mendillo, A. Nagy, J.H. Waite (American Geophysical Union, Washington, 2002a), pp. 289–298
G.H. Millward, S. Miller, T. Stallard, A.D. Aylward, Icarus 160, 95–107 (2002b)
G.H. Millward, S. Miller, T. Stallard, N. Achilleos, A.D. Aylward, Icarus 173, 200–211 (2005)
L. Moore, M. Mendillo, Geophys. Res. Lett. 34, L12202 (2007). doi:10.1029/2007GL029381
L. Moore et al., Geophys. Res. Lett. 33, L22202 (2006). doi:10.1029/2006GL027375
L.E. Moore, M. Mendillo, I.C.F. Mueller-Wodarg, D.L. Murr, Icarus 172, 503–52 (2004)
I.C.F. Mueller-Wodarg, R.V. Yelle, Geophys. Res. Lett. 29 (2002). doi:10.1029/2002GL016100
I.C.F. Mueller-Wodarg, R.V. Yelle, M. Mendillo, L.A. Young, A.D. Aylward, J. Geophys. Res. 105, 20833–20856 (2000)
I.C.F. Mueller-Wodarg, R.V. Yelle, M. Mendillo, A.D. Aylward, J. Geophys. Res. 108(A12), 1453 (2003). doi:10.1029/2003JA010054
I.C.F. Mueller-Wodarg, M. Mendillo, R.V. Yelle, A.D. Aylward, Icarus 180, 147–160 (2006)
I.C.F. Mueller-Wodarg et al., Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)
A.F. Nagy, T.E. Cravens, Geophys. Res. Lett. 15, 433–435 (1988)
A.F. Nagy, J. Kim, T.E. Cravens, Ann. Geophys. 8, 251–256 (1990)
A.F. Nagy, T.E. Cravens, S.G. Smith, H.A. Taylor, H.C. Brinton, J. Geophys. Res. 85, 7795–7801 (1980)
A.F. Nagy, T.E. Cravens, J.H. Yee, A.I.F. Stewart, Geophys. Res. Lett. 8, 629–632 (1981)
A.F. Nagy, M.W. Liemohn, J.L. Fox, J. Kim, J. Geophys. Res. 106(10), 21,565–21,568 (2001)
A.F. Nagy et al., J. Geophys. Res. 111, A06310 (2006). doi:10.1029/2005JA011519
A.O. Nier, M.B. McElroy, Science 194, 1298–1300 (1976)
L. Qian, S.C. Solomon, R.G. Roble, T.J. Kane, Geophys. Res. Lett. 33, L23705 (2006). doi:10.1029/2006GL027185
L. Qian, S.C. Solomon, R.G. Roble, T.J. Kane, Geophys. Res. Lett. 35, L07811 (2008). doi:10.1029/2007GL033156
S. Quegan et al., J. Atmos. Terr. Phys. 44, 619–640 (1982)
S. Rafkin, A. Stern, S. Bougher, A. Brecht, Venus Express Science team meeting. Abstract, Thuile, Italy, March 18–24 (2007)
A.D. Richmond, E.C. Ridley, R.G. Roble, Geophys. Res. Lett. 19, 601–604 (1992)
J.H. Richter, F. Sassi, R.R. Garcia, K. Matthes, C.A. Fischer, J. Geophys. Res. (2008, in press)
A.J. Ridley, Y. Deng, G. Toth, J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys. 68, 839 (2006)
H. Rishbeth, I.C.F. Mueller-Wodarg, Ann. Geophys. 17, 794–805 (1999)
H. Rishbeth et al., Ann. Geophysicae 18, 945–956 (2000a)
H. Rishbeth, R.V. Yelle, M. Mendillo, Planet. Space. Sci. 48, 51–58 (2000b)
R.G. Roble, in The Upper Mesosphere Lower Thermosphere: A Review of Experiment and Theory, ed. by R.M. Johnson, T.L. Killeen. Geophysical Monograph, vol. 87 (American Geophysical Union, 1995), p. 1
R.G. Roble, in Atmospheric Science Across the Stratopause. Geophysical Monograph, vol. 123 (American Geophysical Union, 2000), pp. 53–67
R.G. Roble, R.E. Dickinson, Geophys. Res. Lett. 16, 1441–1444 (1989)
R.G. Roble, E.C. Ridley, Geophys. Res. Lett. 21, 417–420 (1994)
R.G. Roble, E.C. Ridely, R.E. Dickinson, J. Geophys. Res. 92, 8745–8758 (1987)
C. Roldan, M.A. Lopez-Valverde, M. Lopez-Puertas, D.P. Edwards, Icarus 147, 11–25 (2000)
R. Sadourny, K. Laval, in New Perspectives in Climate Modeling, ed. by A. Berger, C. Nicolis (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1984), pp. 173–197
F. Sassi, D. Kinneson, B.A. Boville, R.R. Garcia, R.G. Roble, J. Geophys. Res. 109, D17108 (2004). doi:10.1029/2003JD004434
H.G. Schmidt et al., J. Climate 19 (2006). doi:10.1175/JCLI3829.1
G. Schubert et al., in Exploring Venus as a Terrestrial Planet. Geophysical Monograph, vol. 176 (American Geophysical Union, 2007), pp. 101–120
R.W. Schunk, A.F. Nagy, Ionospheres: Physics, Plasma Physics and Chemistry. Cambridge Atmospheric and Space Science Series (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2000)
R. Shimazaki, M. Shimizu, Rep. Ionos. Space Res. Jpn. 24, 80–98 (1970)
H. Shinagawa, T.E. Cravens, J. Geophys. Res. 93, 11,263–11,277 (1988)
H. Shinagawa, T.E. Cravens, J. Geophys. Res. 94, 6506–6516 (1989)
C.G.A. Smith, S. Miller, A.D. Aylward, Ann. Geophys. 23, 1943–1947 (2005)
R.W. Stewart, J. Atmos. Sci. 25, 578–582 (1968)
R.W. Stewart, J. Atmos. Sci. 28, 1069–1073 (1971)
D.F. Strobel, in Atmospheres in the Solar System: Comparative Aeronomy, ed. by M. Mendillo, A. Nagy, H. Waite. Geophysical Monograph, vol. 130 (American Geophysical Union, Washington, 2002), pp. 7–22
V.T. Tenishev, M.R. Combi, AIAA Paper 2003-3776 (2003a)
V.T. Tenishev, M.R. Combi, RGD, 23rd Int. Symp. 663, 696 (2003b)
V.T. Tenishev, M. Combi, H. Waite, Eos Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 88(23) (Jt. Assem. Suppl.) (2007), abstract P43A-02
V.T. Tenishev, M.R. Combi, B. Davidsson, Astrophys. J. (2008, in press)
R.H. Tolson et al., J. Spacecr. Rockets 44(6), 1172–1179 (2007)
A. Valeille, V. Tenishev, S.W. Bougher, M.R. Combi, A.F. Nagy, Eos Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 88(23) (Jt. Assem. Suppl.) (2007a), abstract SA31B-02
A. Valeille, V. Tenishev, S.W. Bougher, M.R. Combi, A.F. Nagy, B. A. A. S. 39, #24.01 (2007b)
A. Valeille, M.R. Combi, V.T. Tenishev, S.W. Bougher, A.F. Nagy, Icarus (2008, submitted)
U. von Zahn et al., J. Geophys. Res. 85, 7829–7840 (1980)
J.H. Waite et al., Science 308, 982–986 (2005)
O. Witasse et al., Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)
P.G. Withers, Geophys. Res. Letts. 33, L02201 (2006). doi:10.1029/2005GL024447
R.V. Yelle, S. Miller, in Jupiter: The Planet, Satellites, and Magnetosphere, ed. by F. Bagenal, T.E. Dowling, W.B. McKinnon (Cambridge Univ. Press, New York, 2004), pp. 185–218
M.H.G. Zhang, J.G. Luhmann, A.J. Kliore, J. Kim, J. Geophys. Res. 95, 14829–14839 (1990)
S. Zhang, S.W. Bougher, M.J. Alexander, J. Geophys. Res. 101, 23195–23205 (1996)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bougher, S.W., Blelly, PL., Combi, M. et al. Neutral Upper Atmosphere and Ionosphere Modeling. Space Sci Rev 139, 107–141 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-008-9401-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-008-9401-9