GEM 2008 Modeling Challenge

GEM Modeling Challenge update as of December 2008

GGCM Metrics and Validation Focus Group is organizing modeling Challenge focusing on the inner magnetospheric dynamics and ground magnetic field perturbations. The goal of the Challenge is to evaluate the current state of the space physics modeling capability and to address the differences between various modeling approaches. Community Coordinating Modeling Center (CCMC) is supporting the Challenge.

Lists of events and physical parameters for the metrics studies were selected at the GEM 2008 Workshop at Zermatt.

Four Challenge events have been chosen:

Event 1: October 29th, 2003 06:00 UT - October 30th, 06:00 UT
Event 2: December 14, 2006 12:00 UT - December 16, 00:00 UT
Event 3: August 31, 2001 00:00 UT - September 1, 00:00 UT
Event 4: August 31, 2005 10:00 UT - September 1, 12:00 UT

The challenge involves the following model/data comparisons (metrics studies):

Metric Study 1: Magnetic field at geosynchronous orbit (GOES)
Metric Study 2: Magnetopause crossings by geosynchronous satellite (GOES and LANL)
Metric Study 3: Plasma density/temperature at geosynchronous orbit (LANL)
Metric Study 4: Ground magnetic perturbations (ground based magnetometers)

GOES data for magnetic field at the geosynchronous orbit metrics were prepared by Howard Singer and Paul Loto'aniu. Stations for the ground magnetic perturbation metrics were selected by Terry Onsager. Michelle Thompsen indentified a list of times of the magnetopause crossings by geosynchronous satellites and analyzed Magnetospheric Plasma Analyzer (MPA) data quality for plasma density at the geosynchronous orbit metrics. Comments on Magnetospheric Plasma Analyzer data quality and availability, by Michelle Thomsen can be found HERE. CCMC will perform model/data comparisons for all submissions.

Uploading the model results for one event simulated using certain model settings can be done in one submission. For each simulated event the modelers are invited to submit simulation results for one or more metrics studies (which can be selected during the submission procedure). For example, if your model calculates only magnetopause crossings or only ground magnetic perturbations, you can still participate.

Multiple submissions from the same participant for the same event and the same model but different model settings (e.g., for different model versions, different simulation grids, different ionosphere conductance models, different coupling options with inner magnetosphere, etc.) are possible. This will allow us to demonstrate what can be done in near-real-time and in a more science-grade production, as well as to demonstrate the effect of model coupling.

Challenge participants are encouraged to submit the model ouput along all available geosynchronous trajectories for each event. Submissions along a subset of trajectories are also welcome.

Satellite trajectories downloaded from SSCweb are available in original format (with 3-minute interval) HERE. List of ground stations to be used for the ground magnetic field perturbations metric study (study 4) can be found HERE.

File formats for model output for each metric study can be found HERE. Output frequency of at least one minute is recommended.

Comments on Solar Wind (SW) data availlability with link to SW data sources can be found HERE.