Development of the Coupled Magnetosphere Ionosphere Thermosphere Model

One of the major success of the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ITSP) program was the development of the global models for the magnetosphere's interaction with the solar wind and ionosphere. The Lyon Fedder Mobarry global magnetohydrodynamic simulation developed under this program used the close collaboration between the theory groups and satellite missions calibrate the model by simulating substorms and storms that where well observed by the ISTP constellation of satellites. The next logical step, which will benefit the international Living With a Star (ILWS) Program, is to couple the models developed for the various regions in the Sun-Earth system together. The Coupled Magnetosphere Ionosphere Thermosphere (CMIT) Model was developed as part of the Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling (CISM) with support from the NASA LWS program. This presentation will begin with a discussion of how the the LFM was coupled to the Thermosphere Ionosphere Nested Grid (TING) Model to produce CMIT and our plans to develop a computational framework which will allow various components of the model to interchanged with other regional models. We then show results from the simulation driven by real solar wind observations and data extracted from heliospheric models. The response of the model under solar cycle, activity level, and seasonal variations will also be presented.