Investigation of Plasma Kinetic Neutral Dynamics Model in Local Gyrokinetic Simulations of Earths Ionosphere and Aurora

We have studied the neutral composition of the polar ionosphere using the continuum gyrokinetic code Gkeyll paired with satellite observations of local magnetic conditions and balloon-borne observation of oxygen green-line emission brightness. Currently, there is a considerable gap in both scientific understanding and measurement capabilities of ionospheric neutral composition and increased evidence that neutral dynamics cannot be ignored in models of the ionospheres F region. A kinetic model for neutral dynamics has been coupled to the gyrokinetic solver in Gkeyll which allows for cheaper computational simulations compared to fluid models but has not yet been applied to studies of space weather. This research intends to prove the utility of gyrokinetic simulations of Earths ionosphere for future development and research. Boundary conditions and input parameters of the simulation are discussed and output is matched with previously observed experimental data. Design and implementation of a student-built filterscope is also covered and its applications to ballon-borne measurements discussed.