MSISE Model
CCMC Services available for MSISE
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Model Developer(s)
A. E. Hedin
retired from. NASA, GSFC
Model Description
The MSISE model describes the neutral temperature and densities in Earth's atmosphere from ground to thermospheric heights. Below 72.5 km the model is primarily based on the MAP Handbook (Labitzke et al., 1985) tabulation of zonal average temperature and pressure by Barnett and Corney, which was also used for the CIRA-86. Below 20 km these data were supplemented with averages from the National Meteorological Center (NMC). In addition, pitot tube, falling sphere, and grenade sounder rocket measurements from 1947 to 1972 were taken into consideration. Above 72.5 km MSISE-90 is essentially a revised MSIS-86 model taking into account data derived from space shuttle flights and newer incoherent scatter results. For someone interested only in the thermosphere (above 120 km), the author recommends the MSIS-86 model. MSISE is also not the model of preference for specialized tropospheric work. It is rather for studies that reach across several atmospheric boundaries.
NRLMSISE-00 Model 2001
The NRLMSIS-00 empirical atmosphere model was developed by Mike Picone, Alan Hedin, and Doug Drob based on the MSISE90 model. The main differences to MSISE90 are noted in the comments at the top of the computer code. They involve (1) the extensive use of drag and accelerometer data on total mass density, (2) the addition of a component to the total mass density that accounts for possibly significant contributions of O+ and hot oxygen at altitudes above 500 km, and (3) the inclusion of the SMM UV occultation data on [O2].
Model Output
Neutral densities and temperature from ground to thermosphere.
References and relevant publications
K. Labitzke, J. J. Barnett, and B. Edwards (eds.), Handbook MAP 16, SCOSTEP, University of Illinois, Urbana, 1985.
A. E. Hedin, Extension of the MSIS Thermospheric Model into the Middle and Lower Atmosphere, J. Geophys. Res. 96, 1159, 1991.
Relevant links
A description of the improved model can be found here
Source Code Available on FTP:
ftp://hanna.ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/modelweb/magnetospheric/xu/
CCMC Contact(s)
301-286-9571
