The Dynamic Ionosphere-Thermosphere System: Variability from Minutes to Decades
The ionosphere-thermosphere (IT) region is a key part of near-Earth space, affecting satellite operations, communication, and navigation. Its variability is driven by external forces including solar radiation, auroral energy input, and atmospheric waves — and unfolds over timescales ranging from minutes to decades. In this talk, I will present research that explores IT variability using model simulations and observations, spanning both space weather and space climate scales. This work supports the 2024–2033 Solar and Space Physics Decadal Survey’s call for a predictive, system-level understanding of the coupled Sun-Earth system.
Dr. Liying Qian is a Project Scientist III at the High Altitude Observatory (HAO) of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). She holds a B.S. in Atmospheric Physics from Nanjing University, China, an M.S. in Atmospheric Physics from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science from Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on the physics and dynamics of the mesosphere, thermosphere, and ionosphere, with an emphasis on understanding their variability and coupling processes.