The impact of assimilating COSMIC-2 observations of electron density in WACCMX

The present study investigates the impact of assimilating electron density profiles from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate-2 (COSMIC-2) mission in a whole atmosphere data assimilation system. The observations are assimilated into the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere-ionosphere eXtension (WACCMX) using the Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART) ensemble adjustment Kalman filter. Assimilation of the COSMIC-2 electron density profiles during the evaluation time period of 25–30 April 2020 leads to improvement in both the 1 hr forecast and analysis electron densities in WACCMX + DART. Compared to a control experiment that does not assimilate COSMIC-2 observations, the assimilation of the COSMIC-2 electron density profiles reduces the 1 hr forecast root mean square error (RMSE) and bias with respect to COSMIC-2 observations at 300 km by 6.76% and 24.91%, respectively. Assimilation of the COSMIC-2 electron density profiles does not significantly influence the RMSE and bias with respect to ground-based Global Navigation Satellite System vertical total electron content observations. The equatorial vertical plasma drift velocity in WACCMX + DART is changed by ±5–10 ms−1 due to the assimilation of the COSMIC-2 electron density profiles, indicating that the model representation of the electrodynamics of the low latitude ionosphere are significantly impacted by the assimilation of COSMIC-2 observations.

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Author Pedatella, Nicholas M.
Anderson, Jeffrey L.
Publisher UCAR/NCAR - Library
Publication Date 2022-01-01T00:00:00
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Topic Category geoscientificInformation
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Metadata Date 2025-07-11T16:08:05.095578
Metadata Record Identifier edu.ucar.opensky::articles:25024
Metadata Language eng; USA
Suggested Citation Pedatella, Nicholas M., Anderson, Jeffrey L.. (2022). The impact of assimilating COSMIC-2 observations of electron density in WACCMX. UCAR/NCAR - Library. https://n2t.org/ark:/85065/d70c50b9. Accessed 01 August 2025.

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