Theoretical model simulations for the global thermospheric mapping study (TMS) periods

Theoretical and semi-empirical models of the solar UV/EUV and of the geomagnetic driving forces affecting the terrestrial mesosphere and thermosphere have been used to generate a series of representative numerical time-dependent and global models of the thermosphere, for the range of solar and geomagnetic activity levels which occurred during the three Thermospheric Mapping Study (TMS) periods. The simulations obtained from these numerical models are compared with observations, and with the results of semi-empirical models of the thermosphere. The theoretical models provide a record of the magnitude of the major driving forces which affected the thermosphere during the study periods, and a baseline against which the actual observed structure and dynamics can be compared.