Abstract
The High-latitude Ionosphere Dynamics for Research Applications (HIDRA)
model is part of the Multiscale Atmosphere-Geospace Environment (MAGE)
model under development by the Center for Geospace Storms (CGS) NASA
DRIVE Science Center. This study employs HIDRA to simulate upflows of
H+, He+, O+, and N+ ions, with a
particular focus on the relative N+ concentrations, production
and loss mechanisms, and thermal upflow drivers as functions of season,
solar activity, and magnetospheric convection. The simulation results
demonstrate that N+ densities typically exceed He+
densities, N+ densities are typically ~10% O+ densities, and N+
concentrations at quiet-time are approximately
50-100% of N+ concentrations during
storm-time. Furthermore, the N+ and O+ upflow fluxes
show similar trends with variations in magnetospheric driving. The
inclusion of ion-neutral chemical reactions involving metastable atoms
is shown to have significant effects on N+ production rates.
With this metastable chemistry included, the simulated ion density
profiles compare favorably with satellite measurements from Atmosphere
Explorer C (AE-C) and Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 6 (OGO-6).