Global geomagnetic model errors as a function of altitude and geomagnetic activity

Global geomagnetic model errors as a function of altitude and geomagnetic activity | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 24 June 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Global geomagnetic model errors as a function of altitude and geomagnetic activity Authors : Manoj C Nair 0000-0002-0541-0127 [email protected] , Martin Fillion 0000-0001-5733-7796 , Arnaud Chulliat 0000-0001-7414-9631 , and Samuel T Califf 0000-0002-7017-0916 Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175079880.04443053/v1 Published Space Weather Version of record Peer review timeline 229 views 112 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract The errors of global geomagnetic models, such as the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) and the World Magnetic Model (WMM), are well-characterized at the Earth’s surface, but their error behavior as a function of altitude and geomagnetic activity has not been quantified. A lack of error characterization at operational altitudes and during space weather events, however, introduces unquantified risk for system designers and satellite operators. This study provides the first comprehensive, multi-source error analysis for the WMM from the surface to 10,000 km. We combine models for crustal, ionospheric, and magnetospheric fields to systematically quantify WMM performance across all levels of geomagnetic activity (G0-G4). Our results define the operational envelope where the WMM meets its Military Specification (MilSpec) accuracy. We demonstrate that while the model is robust at high altitudes (up to1,900 to 10,000 km, depending on the component) during quiet conditions, its validity ceiling can drop by thousands of kilometers during moderate to severe storms. We present maximum altitude validity maps and error profiles that provide a quantitative framework for mission planning, and real-time risk assessment. These model-based findings are validated using in-situ measurements from the Swarm, CryoSat-2, and Ørsted satellites. This work provides a resource for engineers and operators to assess and mitigate risks associated with using standard geomagnetic models for high-altitude applications during space weather events. Supplementary Material File (1037999_0_merged_1750284589.pdf) Download 17.48 MB File (global geomagnetic model errors 20250618.pdf) Download 17.48 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 24 June 2025 Peer review timeline Published Space Weather Version of Record 9 Oct 2025 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords geophysics solar system physics Authors Affiliations Manoj C Nair 0000-0002-0541-0127 [email protected] Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences View all articles by this author Martin Fillion 0000-0001-5733-7796 Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder View all articles by this author Arnaud Chulliat 0000-0001-7414-9631 Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences View all articles by this author Samuel T Califf 0000-0002-7017-0916 Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences View all articles by this author Funding Information National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NA22OAR4320151 CIRES, University of Colorado Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 229 views 112 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Manoj C Nair, Martin Fillion, Arnaud Chulliat, et al. Global geomagnetic model errors as a function of altitude and geomagnetic activity. Authorea . 24 June 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175079880.04443053/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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