Articles | Volume 43, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-881-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-881-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Regular paper
| 
17 Dec 2025
Regular paper |
| 17 Dec 2025
| 17 Dec 2025
Globally- and hemispherically-integrated Joule heating rates during the 17 March 2015 geomagnetic storm, according to physics-based and empirical models
Stelios Tourgaidis
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece
Dimitris Baloukidis
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece
Panagiotis Pirnaris
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece
Theodoros Sarris
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece
Aaron Ridley
Department of Atmosphere, Oceanic and Space Sciences, University of Michigan,Michigan,USA
Gang Lu
High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, USA
Related authors
Stelios Tourgaidis, Dimitrios Baloukidis, Theodoros Sarris, Stephan Buchert, Panagiotis Pirnaris, and Konstantinos Papadakis
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4315, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4315, 2025
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The Lower Thermosphere-Ionosphere energy balance is driven by complex interactions between ions, neutrals and electrons. These processes are understood theoretically, but their estimates show large discrepancies between models. We calculate the storm-time energy budget according to the neutrals, ions and electrons using TIE-GCM using two different external drivers. Discrepancies between the model runs are discussed and the way forward to close the gaps in present knowledge is highlighted.
Stelios Tourgaidis, Dimitrios Baloukidis, Theodoros Sarris, Stephan Buchert, Panagiotis Pirnaris, and Konstantinos Papadakis
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4315, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4315, 2025
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The Lower Thermosphere-Ionosphere energy balance is driven by complex interactions between ions, neutrals and electrons. These processes are understood theoretically, but their estimates show large discrepancies between models. We calculate the storm-time energy budget according to the neutrals, ions and electrons using TIE-GCM using two different external drivers. Discrepancies between the model runs are discussed and the way forward to close the gaps in present knowledge is highlighted.
Ana Roberta Paulino, Delis Otildes Rodrigues, Igo Paulino, Lourivaldo Mota Lima, Ricardo Arlen Buriti, Paulo Prado Batista, Aaron Ridley, and Chen Wu
Ann. Geophys., 43, 183–191, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-183-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-43-183-2025, 2025
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Comparisons of wind measurements using two different techniques (ground-based radar and satellite) in Brazil during 2006 were made in order to point out the advantages of each instrument for studies in the mesosphere and upper thermosphere. (i) For short-period variations, the measurements of the satellite were more advantageous. (ii) The monthly climatology using the radar was more appropriate. (iii) For long periods (longer than a few months), both instruments responded satisfactorily.
Joachim Vogt, Octav Marghitu, Adrian Blagau, Leonie Pick, Nele Stachlys, Stephan Buchert, Theodoros Sarris, Stelios Tourgaidis, Thanasis Balafoutis, Dimitrios Baloukidis, and Panagiotis Pirnaris
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 12, 239–257, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-12-239-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-12-239-2023, 2023
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Motivated by recent community interest in a satellite mission to the atmospheric lower thermosphere and ionosphere (LTI) region (100–200 km altitude), the DIPCont project is concerned with the reconstruction quality of vertical profiles of key LTI variables using dual- and single-spacecraft observations. The report introduces the probabilistic DIPCont modeling framework, demonstrates its usage by means of a set of self-consistent parametric non-isothermal models, and discusses first results.
Panagiotis Pirnaris and Theodoros Sarris
Ann. Geophys., 41, 339–354, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-339-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-339-2023, 2023
Short summary
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The relation between electron, ion and neutral temperatures in the lower thermosphere–ionosphere (LTI) is key to understanding the energy balance and transfer between species. However, their simultaneous measurement is rare in the LTI. Based on data from the AE-C, AE-D, AE-E and DE-2 satellites of the 1970s and 1980s, a large number of events where neutrals are hotter than ions are identified and statistically analyzed. Potential mechanisms that could trigger these events are proposed.
Minna Palmroth, Maxime Grandin, Theodoros Sarris, Eelco Doornbos, Stelios Tourgaidis, Anita Aikio, Stephan Buchert, Mark A. Clilverd, Iannis Dandouras, Roderick Heelis, Alex Hoffmann, Nickolay Ivchenko, Guram Kervalishvili, David J. Knudsen, Anna Kotova, Han-Li Liu, David M. Malaspina, Günther March, Aurélie Marchaudon, Octav Marghitu, Tomoko Matsuo, Wojciech J. Miloch, Therese Moretto-Jørgensen, Dimitris Mpaloukidis, Nils Olsen, Konstantinos Papadakis, Robert Pfaff, Panagiotis Pirnaris, Christian Siemes, Claudia Stolle, Jonas Suni, Jose van den IJssel, Pekka T. Verronen, Pieter Visser, and Masatoshi Yamauchi
Ann. Geophys., 39, 189–237, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-189-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-189-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This is a review paper that summarises the current understanding of the lower thermosphere–ionosphere (LTI) in terms of measurements and modelling. The LTI is the transition region between space and the atmosphere and as such of tremendous importance to both the domains of space and atmosphere. The paper also serves as the background for European Space Agency Earth Explorer 10 candidate mission Daedalus.
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Short summary
During geomagnetic storms, Joule heating is a major heating source of the upper atmosphere that is not well estimated, due to a lack of measurements. This leads to uncertainties in orbital calculations. We present simulations with commonly used physics-based models and empirical models that provide measurements of Joule heating. The results show great discrepancies, pointing to the need for measurements in the Earth's Lower Thermosphere-Ionosphere at altitudes where Joule heating maximizes.
During geomagnetic storms, Joule heating is a major heating source of the upper atmosphere that...
