Summary

This page explains how to run the Thermosphere Ionosphere Plasmasphere model (CTIP) on the AstroGrid system. CTIP is run in a "steady state" mode by means of a simple interface. To launch the model from the Workbench, choose the Data Analysis tab and click on Science Workflows.  In the drop-down menu you will be able to select one of two possible modes in which CTIP can be run.

Mode A accepts 2 input parameters: the Day Number (between 1 and 365) and the Solar Flux F10.7 (between 50 and 300, but might work for lower or higher values). Astrogrid then goes ahead and runs CTIP - returning the output data files to the user's MySpace.

Mode B takes one input parameter: the start date for the model run, typed in in the format: 2003-07-28.  When the job is submitted, values of the F10.7 flux and the Kp index are automatically retrieved from the UKSSDC data centerr at RAL and passed to the model. The output produced is for the 10 days after the start date.

How to run CTIP in mode A:

Choose the "CTIP model - mode A" template workflow:

Input parameters

Mode A is a straightforward mode which runs CTIP in steady state as a function of the day number and the solar F10.7 flux.

• Day number: an integer between 1 and 365
• F10.7: an integer between 50 and 300 (might work OK for lower or higher values)

Don't worry about the lower box for the Outputs. This is dealt with automatically.

Now click on OK. This submits the job for execution. You will be asked if you want to save the workflow document - answer either Yes or No to this.

Next, the VO lookout window opens:

While the job is running it is displayed in the Workflows list on the left in green text. Upon completion the text will change to black and Astrogrid will automatically save the output files to your Myspace area.

Running the CTIP model will create a "CTIP" subdirectory in your home directory in Myspace. This is where the output files will be located. To retrieve the files, click on Myspace browser in the Workbench. Click on the Refresh icon, then go into the "CTIP" directory, where you will be able to view the files and download them on your local computer.

Format of the Data:

Each of the datafiles produced is in ASCII form. The format of the data, for analysis using IDL etc., and example IDL routines are here:

CTIP data format and Example IDL routines

Author: George Millward
Last revised : 18 November 2005