Thermospheric neutral density scaling factors to account for future CO2 scenarios

Dataset

Description

Carbon dioxide causes thermospheric contraction in the upper atmosphere, reducing neutral densities at fixed altitudes. However, this isn't modelled by current empirical models. The scaling factors included within this dataset are created with the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with ionosphere and thermosphere extension (WACCM-X), and allow empirical models (assuming they accurately represent the year 2000 or later) to account for CO2 induced density reductions. Scaling factors are global mean, annual mean neutral densities relative to the similar value in year 2000, under increasing CO2 concentrations and solar activity conditions (via the F10.7 proxy). Modelled values are interpolated in carbon dioxide concentration onto the future CO2 scenarios of the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). F10.7 values are left as a dimension to allow the user to choose the future solar activity conditions.
Date made available15 Mar 2024
PublisherUniversity of Birmingham
Temporal coverage2000 - 2500
Date of data production1 Jan 2020 - 31 Jan 2024

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