Parametric empirical model of neutral thermospheric winds for low and middle latitudes based on statistical data recorded by UARS-WINDII
aeronomy, ionosphere, neutral atmosphere, thermospheric neutral wind, statistical analysis, statistical parametric modeling
Neutral thermospheric winds play a key role in ionospheric dynamics acting directly on the ionosphe- ric plasma drift, being the main mechanism of maintenance of the nocturnal ionosphere and also di- rectly infuencing the behavior of the equatorial ionization anomaly (AEI). There are measurements of thermospheric neutral wind using equipment such as Fabry-Pérot interferometer (FPI acronym for Fabry-Pérot interferometer), incoherent scattering radar (ISR acronym for Incoherent Scatter Radar) and rocket sounding data. However, these measures are located ofering low data coverage. \ith the use of satellite-based equipment, it was possible to obtain better data coverage regarding the behavior of the neutral winds, such as the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) and DE-2 (Dynamics Explo- rer 2) satellite. The thermospheric neutral wind models have become an important tool for the studies and understanding of the behavior of neutral thermospheric winds. However, the models of available neutral winds present faults when related to the behavior of the ionosphere, especially in the southern hemisphere, and consequently on Brazil. In this work, we propose a parametric termospheric neutral wind model based on a statistis of the thermospheric neutral wind records from the UARS satellite using the embedded \ind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII). The model considers the average behavior between the altitude of 225 km and 275 km in periods of solar and geomagnetic activities considered to be calm (F 10.7 cm ≤ 125 sf u, and kp ≤ 2, 33) to calculate values of the components of the neutral wind covering low and medium latitudes (±45◦ of geographical latitude) for the whole globe (±130◦ longitude) with seasonal coverage (day of the year) and local time. To evaluate the behavior and accuracy of the proposed model, we will confront the modeled values with original data from UARS record. Comparisons will also be made with the output of other termospheric neutral wind models, such as HWM (Horizontal \ind Model), and data from observations performed with Fabry-Pérot interferometer. In addition, it is also intended to evaluate the behavior of the neutral winds modeled in relation to parameters relevant to the dynamics of the ionosphere