Ionospheric photoelectrons: A lateral thinking approach

This paper presents a personal account of developments in the solution two related problems that limited accuracy ionosphere calculations 1980s. The first problem concerns model-data discrepancies photoelectron flux spectrum. Early comparisons between measured and modeled data revealed magnitude shape. A lateral thinking approach there were with key model inputs: namely, electron impact cross-sections solar extreme ultraviolet irradiance. work led to development widely used EUVAC irradiance for density calculations. second relates neutral winds are crucial modeling variations ion densities. There is lack thermosphere wind because they difficult measure. determine altitude at which peaks. An accurate this was an algorithm assimilates peak into models. technique works very sensitive wind.