MFACE: An empirical model for the aurora field-aligned currents

Matlab code for MFACE, a high-resolution model for the aurora field-aligned currents derived from ten years of CHAMP data with a novel technique based on EOF decomposition. Predictor variables include MLat, MLT, DoY, IMF conditions, Vsw and AE index. Compared to existing models, MFACE yields significantly a ​better spatial resolution, reproduces typically observed FAC thickness and intensity, improves on the magnetic local time distribution, and gives the seasonal dependence of FAC latitudes and the NBZ current signature. Our EOF decomposition reveals that EOF1 represents mainly the Bz-controlled large scale R1/R2 current pattern whereas EOF2 represents the By-controlled cusp current signature. For details cf. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2012GL053168 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2014JA019776 http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-64292-5_7 http://www.faculty.jacobs-university.de/jvogt/mface/ As examples of the output, few movies are avilable at https://www.youtube.com/user/hquark