CEDAR Database: Theoretical and Empirical Models of the Upper Atmosphere

The CEDAR Data Base at NCAR/HAO holds information on theoretical models and source code for several empirical models of the upper atmosphere. Theoretical models include AMIE, CTIM, CTIP, FLIP, GLOW, TIGCM, TIEGCM, TIMEGCM, and VSH, while empirical models include APEX, CHIU, HWM, IRI, MSIS, and others. Access requires a valid form from the WWW or ftp site, with contact information provided for each model.

Use Cases

• Simulating global electric fields and conductances based on the AMIE model.
• Modeling plasma densities and temperatures along magnetic flux tubes using the FLIP model.
• Generating global neutral wind patterns for the thermosphere using the VSH or HWM models.
• Retrieving ionospheric parameters and ion composition using the IRI empirical model.
• Calculating neutral temperature and atmospheric composition values using the MSIS model.

Strengths

• Includes a catalog of over 15 named theoretical and empirical models from recognized institutions like NCAR/HAO.
• Provides direct contact information (names and email) for subject matter experts associated with each major model.
• Models cover specific, high-altitude atmospheric regions (e.g., above 80 km, 110-1500 km) with defined scientific purposes.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for large-scale ML applications.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

NCAR/HAO (National Center for Atmospheric Research / High Altitude Observatory)

Collection Method

Aggregation of theoretical model information and empirical model source code.

Time Range

Model development references span from 1972 to 1996.

Freshness

Last updated: unknown

Geography

Global coverage for atmospheric models.