A Global Empirical Model of the Ion Temperature in the Ionosphere for the International Reference Ionosphere

This study presents a suggestion for improvement of the ion temperature (Ti) model in International Reference Ionosphere (IRI). We have re-examined data (primarily available from NASA’s Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF)from older satellites and combined them with newly Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), Communication Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS), recently launched Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON). compiled these into unified database comprising total Ti 18 satellites. By comparisons long term records three incoherent scatter radars (ISRs) (Jicamarca, Arecibo, Millstone Hill), it was found that an intercalibration is needed to achieve consistency ISR among individual satellite sets. thus corrected has been used development new global empirical inclusion solar activity variation. dependence represented by additive correction pattern. Due limited coverage at altitudes above 1000 km, altitude range described ranges 350 km 850 covering only region where generally higher than neutral (Tn) lower electron (Te). approach consistent current description IRI model. However, instead one anchor point 430 as IRI, our includes points 350, 430, 600, km. At merged using gradient derived 600 IRI-2016/TBT-2012 option. Comparisons Hill, Kharkiv) high low equinox show proposed captures local time variation different latitudes better IRI-2016