GLOW

The GLobal airglOW Model, independently and easily accessed using Fortran compiler. Available from scripting languages including Python and Matlab.

We describe each language below; pick the one(s) that apply for you. Python is the easiest and recommennded choice. A Fortran compiler is required in any case.

Python

Install/compile by:

git clone https://github.com/space-physics/ncar-glow

pip install -e ncar-glow

Confirm the install with:

pytest ncar-glow

Then use examples such as:

• Maxwellian.py: Maxwellian precipiation, specify Q and E0.
• Monoenergetic.py: Specify unit flux for one energy bin, all other energy bins are zero flux.

or use GLOW in your own Python program by:

import ncarglow as glow

iono = glow.simple(time, glat, glon, Q, Echar, Nbins)

iono is an xarray.Dataset containing outputs from GLOW, including:

• number densities of neutrals, ions and electrons
• Pedersen and Hall currents
• volume emssion rate vs. wavelength and altitude
• precipitating flux vs. energy
• many more, request if you want it.

Fortran standalone

You can call this repo from a Meson wrap or CMake FetchContent. To build Fortran code by itself, do either:

cmake -B build

cmake --build build

MPI / NetCDF

The parallel version of GLOW requires MPI and NetCDF for TIEGCM I/O.

mpirun -np 2 ./mpi_glow.bin < ~/data/in.namelist.tgcm

Note, for an unknown reason, in.namelist.msis only works with -O0 or -O1 with gfortran 7. We didn't look into why. Otherwise, -O3 works fine.

Matlab

The Matlab interface is in +ncarglow passing data to / from Glow over scratch disk binary files.

• Use built-in energy and altitude bins: Maxwellian.m
• user input energy grid: Monoenergetic.m