Parallel sessions

The Earth's Ionosphere-Thermosphere layer is a complex boundary between Outer Space and the rest of the atmosphere. It holds a special importance in models of the Ionosphere-Thermosphere (IT) System because ionospheric plasma interactions with the geomagnetic field become intertwined with the neutral gas dynamics of the thermosphere and atmosphere. In the context of global whole atmosphere models in particular, the IT system builds the top layer and is responsible for holding the information of solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions. At high-latitudes, the IT dynamics are driven by the solar wind and magnetospheric responses to solar wind driving; whereas at mid- to low-latitudes, the electric dynamo interactions and tidal heating from below dominate. Modelling these interactions and dynamics is challenging, but important to provide realistic boundary conditions for modelling the entire atmosphere. The dynamics of the solar wind result in a varying degree of activity in the ionosphere, especially at high- to mid-latitudes, which is important to capture in order to advance models for space and/or terrestrial weather and/and climate purposes. The aim of this session is to bring together modellers and observers of the IT system, as well as researchers interested in advancing our modelling capabilities to discuss recent scientific findings, modelling advances, and future plans