Real-Time Space Weather Predictions
Weimer Ionosphere Models

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NOTICE: Maps of the geomagnetic field variations can now be found here.

These maps were generated using measurements of the solar wind and Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) that were obtained by the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) satellite. ACE is in a Lissajous orbit at the L1 point. The real-time telemetry data stream is processed and distributed by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.

The prediction is based on 20-minute average values of the IMF and solar wind velocity. The time of the prediction is determined by the time of the most recent measurement, the measured solar wind velocity, the current position of ACE, and the orientation angles of the IMF transitions. The propagation delay between the time of the measurement of the solar wind/IMF with ACE, to the response in the ionosphere, is graphed at the top of the "ACE IMF Measurements." The green lines show the delay computed without compensating for the changing orientation angles, and the blue lines show the values that include this calculation. The distance between ACE and the Earth-Sun line also influences this calculation.

A description of the empirical models is contained in this PDF file.

Other links at the NASA CCMC web site: Real-time map and iSWA Widget App