Space environment (natural and artificial) — The Earth's ionosphere model — International reference ionosphere (IRI) model and extensions to the plasmasphere

This document provides guidance to potential users for the specification of the global distribution of ionosphere densities and temperatures, as well as the total content of electrons in the height interval from 50 km to 1 500 km. It includes and explains several options for a plasmaspheric extension of the model, embracing the geographical area between latitudes of 80°S and 80°N and longitudes of 0°E to 360°E, for any time of day, any day of year, and various solar and magnetic activity conditions.

A brief introduction to ionospheric and plasmaspheric physics is given in Annex A. Annex B provides an overview over physical models, because they are important for understanding and modelling the physical processes that produce the ionospheric plasma.