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

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.

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Publication Details

Journal
Science Advances
Published
2026-04-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aea2406
Primary Topic
Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

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

Jialiang Zhang, Zhou Chen, Yan Guo, Jingsong Wang et al.
Science Advances
Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
article

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

Jialiang Zhang, Zhou Chen, Yan Guo, Jingsong Wang, Jianxiang Zhang, Cunqun Fan, Yiwan Deng
article en

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.

Science AdvancesVol. 12(16)
China Meteorological Administration (CN), Nanchang University (CN), Nanchang Institute of Science & Technology (CN)
National Key Research and Development Program of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
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