SITE: Swarm Ion Temperature Estimation Project Page

Ion temperature is one of the key parameters that provides insight into the thermal balance of the coupled ionosphere-thermosphere system. Together with the temperatures of neutral and electron gases, it controls various physical and chemical processes in the upper atmosphere. These include the ion-neutral collision frequencies, chemical reaction rates and plasma scale height, all of which affect the variation and distribution of the electron density.

The Swarm satellites carry out continuous measurements of ionospheric electron temperatures and densities using the electric field instrument (EFI) Langmuir probes (LP). Ion temperature measurements, however, are not currently available. The main objective of this project is to estimate ion temperatures along the orbits of Swarm satellites using available LP electron density and temperature measurements, and numerical models.

To accomplish this task it is planned to develop a physics-based, data-driven model of the ion temperature along the orbits of the Swarm satellites from equator to high latitudes, evaluate the validity of the model under different geophysical conditions, and validate estimated ion temperatures against independent measurements. This new data product, which will be available to a science community, is expected to enhance the ability of the Swarm mission to provide more complete information about the ionospheric plasma, and thus, will enhance the overall scientific return of the mission.