A TIEGCM-based inversion model for ionosphere-thermosphere parameters driven by three-dimensional electron density

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Authors: Zhou Chen, Jialiang Zhang, Jingsong Wang, Jianxiang Zhang, Yiwan Deng, Cunqun Fan, Yan Guo
Cited by: 1
References: 21

Abstract

A challenge in Earth and space sciences is the capability to continuously monitor the key parameters of space systems that frequently experience complex, multiscale dynamics. The ionosphere-thermosphere (I-T) system is a region where the direct measurement of essential quantities such as electric fields, neutral winds, and temperatures remain largely inaccessible. Here, we present a generalizable inverse modeling framework that bridges sparse observations with physics-based simulation to recover these hidden state variables. By leveraging high-resolution, data-driven reconstructions of electron density in combination with the Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM), our approach enables end-to-end inference of latent I-T parameters without relying on explicit forward models. Through supervised neural networks trained on large-scale simulation data, the system autonomously learns the intrinsic couplings among I-T variables, enabling fast, robust, and physically informed parameter estimation. This fusion of physical modeling and machine learning transcends traditional retrieval methods, offering a scalable pathway toward real-time geospace monitoring and improved representation of upper-atmosphere dynamics in Earth system models.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics Earthquake Detection and Analysis Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Science Advances
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Volume
12
Issue
16
Pages
eaea2406–eaea2406
Publication date
17 April 2026
Language
EN