View in EDS

HIWIND Observation of Daytime Thermospheric Winds Over New Zealand and Comparison With Model Simulation.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: HIWIND Observation of Daytime Thermospheric Winds Over New Zealand and Comparison With Model Simulation.
Authors: Wu, Qian1 (AUTHOR) qwu@ucar.edu, Wu, Haonan1 (AUTHOR), Wang, Wenbin1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics. Jun2026, Vol. 131 Issue 6, p1-8. 8p.
Subject Terms: Thermosphere, Atmospheric models, Physics instruments, Fabry-Perot interferometers, Meteorological observations, Geographical positions, Ionospheric electron density
Geographic Terms: New Zealand
Abstract: A balloon borne Fabry Perot interferometer called High altitude Interferometer WIND observation (HIWIND) flew from Wanaka, New Zealand (44.69S, 169.14E) in April 2025 to observe mid‐latitude thermospheric winds in the southern hemisphere for the first time. The HIWIND results were compared with Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) simulations. The HIWIND observed a stronger poleward (southward) meridional and eastward zonal wind during the daytime compared to the model. The ionospheric density profiles from TIEGCM were compared with those from the COSMIC 2 satellite observations. The peak heights of the ionospheric F2 layer electron density in the observations were lower than those in the model, suggesting that the meridional winds in the real world were stronger than those in the model, which is consistent with the HIWIND and TIEGCM wind comparisons. The source of the weaker simulated winds is not known and is a topic for future studies. Plain Language Summary: A balloon‐borne instrument called High altitude Interferometer WIND observation was launched from New Zealand to observe thermospheric winds in the mid latitudes. The observed winds were compared with the Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model simulation and were found to be much larger than the simulated results. Ionospheric density profiles from observation were compared with simulation as well and found to have lower peak heights, which indicate that the winds in the real world are larger than the simulated winds. Key Points: Balloon borne Fabry Perot interferometer (FPI) High altitude Interferometer WIND observation (HIWIND) obtained daytime winds in southern mid latitudes near New Zealand for the first timeHIWIND observed stronger daytime thermospheric winds than Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) simulation resultsCOSMIC 2 electron density profiles showed lower peak height than the TIEGCM simulations, agreeing with stronger poleward wind from HIWIND [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: GreenFILE
Description
Abstract:A balloon borne Fabry Perot interferometer called High altitude Interferometer WIND observation (HIWIND) flew from Wanaka, New Zealand (44.69S, 169.14E) in April 2025 to observe mid‐latitude thermospheric winds in the southern hemisphere for the first time. The HIWIND results were compared with Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) simulations. The HIWIND observed a stronger poleward (southward) meridional and eastward zonal wind during the daytime compared to the model. The ionospheric density profiles from TIEGCM were compared with those from the COSMIC 2 satellite observations. The peak heights of the ionospheric F2 layer electron density in the observations were lower than those in the model, suggesting that the meridional winds in the real world were stronger than those in the model, which is consistent with the HIWIND and TIEGCM wind comparisons. The source of the weaker simulated winds is not known and is a topic for future studies. Plain Language Summary: A balloon‐borne instrument called High altitude Interferometer WIND observation was launched from New Zealand to observe thermospheric winds in the mid latitudes. The observed winds were compared with the Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model simulation and were found to be much larger than the simulated results. Ionospheric density profiles from observation were compared with simulation as well and found to have lower peak heights, which indicate that the winds in the real world are larger than the simulated winds. Key Points: Balloon borne Fabry Perot interferometer (FPI) High altitude Interferometer WIND observation (HIWIND) obtained daytime winds in southern mid latitudes near New Zealand for the first timeHIWIND observed stronger daytime thermospheric winds than Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) simulation resultsCOSMIC 2 electron density profiles showed lower peak height than the TIEGCM simulations, agreeing with stronger poleward wind from HIWIND [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:21699380
DOI:10.1029/2026JA035232