ICON and GOLD: Exploring the Interface to Space

Released Thursday, October 27, 2016

ID: 4498

- Visualizations by:
- Tom Bridgman
- Scientific consulting by:
- Jeff Klenzing
- Produced by:
- Genna Duberstein

A basic view of the orbits for ICON (Ionospheric Connections Explorer) and GOLD (Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk). These missions will conduct measurements of ionospheric composition, ionization, and winds to better understand the connection between space weather and its terrestrial impacts.

In this visualization, we present GOLD (in geostationary orbit around Earth) and ICON (in low Earth orbit). The colors over Earth represent model data from the IRI (International Reference Ionosphere) model of the density of the singly-ionized oxygen atom at an altitude of 350 kilometers. Red represents high density. The ion density is enhanced above and below the geomagnetic equator (not perfectly aligned with the geographic equator) on the dayside due to the ionizing effects of solar ultraviolet radiation combined with the effects of high-altitude winds and the geomagnetic field.

A simple view of the orbits for ICON and GOLD. This version interpolates the IRI model to a higher time cadence for a smoother animation.

Color bar of singly-ionized atomic oxygen density.

A simple view of the orbits for ICON and GOLD. In this version, the oxygen ion ionosphere model is sampled at 15 minute cadence which creates some 'jumping' in the ionosphere enhancements.

Earth
Sun

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

Visualizer
- Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.)
Scientists
- Jeff Klenzing
- Sarah L. Jones (NASA/GSFC)
Writer
- Sarah Frazier (ADNET Systems, Inc.)
Producer
- Genna Duberstein (USRA)
Technical support
- Laurence Schuler (ADNET Systems, Inc.)
- Ian Jones (ADNET Systems, Inc.)