On possible improvements of outer ionosphere ion composition model in IRI Original Research Article

The current version of the IRI model for the ion composition and the electron (total ion) density above 500 km is compared with the Bennett ion mass spectrometer data measured in the frame of the ACTIVE mission (maximum of the solar cycle 22). In both options (IRI standard and Danilov-Yaichnikov) the light ion density (H+, and He+) was found overestimated. Absolute O+ density from IRI standard was found in general agreement with the measured data. The electron (total ion) density in altitudes above 1000 km was found also overestimated by the model employed in IRI. For period of high solar activity and altitude range of 500 to 2500 km a new global model of relative O+ and H+ density is presented as a first step to an improved model of the outer ionosphere ion composition.