HIDRA simulations and post-processing scripts for JGR: SP manuscript: characterization of N+ abundances in the terrestrial polar wind using the multiscale atmosphere-geospace environment

The High-latitude Ionosphere Dynamics for Research Applications (HIDRA)
model is part of the Multiscale Atmosphere-Geospace Environment
(MAGE) model under development by the Center for Geospace Storms (CGS)
NASA DRIVE Science Center. This study employs HIDRA to simulate upflows of
H+, He+, O+, and N+ ions, with a particular focus on the relative N+
concentrations, production and loss mechanisms, and thermal upflow drivers
as functions of season, solar activity, and magnetospheric convection. The
simulation results demonstrate that N+ densities typically exceed He+
densities, N+ densities are typically ∼ 10% O+ densities, and N+
concentrations at quiet-time are approximately 50-100% of N+
concentrations during storm-time. Furthermore, the N+ and O+ upflow fluxes
show similar trends with variations in magnetospheric driving. The
inclusion of ion-neutral chemical reactions involving metastable atoms is
shown to have significant effects on N+ production rates. With this
metastable chemistry included, the simulated ion density profiles compare
favorably with satellite measurements from Atmosphere Explorer C (AE-C)
and Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 6 (OGO-6).