Data from the OGO 6 satellite have been analyzed in magnetic latitude and magnetic local time coordinates for various seasons and magnetic activity levels. These measurements show considerable detail, particularly in the auroral regions where the energy inputs are well organized in this coordinate system. This detail is not readily observed in models based on geographic coordinates. Atomic oxygen and helium densities and a parameter related to the molecular nitrogen density were analyzed. The long‐term averages of these quantities are presented in graphical form and as analytic functions to provide models of these thermospheric parameters. The atomic oxygen and helium densities show minima at high latitudes in the postmidnight sector for nearly all seasons and magnetic activity levels. The exospheric temperature inferred from the N2 density increases toward high latitudes for all seasons and all magnetic activity levels. This inferred temperature is about 300° K higher at the summer magnetic pole than at the winter magnetic pole. This article contains supplementary material.

Molecular nitrogen, atomic oxygen, and helium densities obtained from the AE‐C satellite are analyzed in magnetic latitude and magnetic local time coordinates and compared to OGO 6 data for various seasons and magnetic activity levels. A depletion region for atomic oxygen and helium with respect to molecular nitrogen at high magnetic latitudes in the postmidnight magnetic local time sector persists under both high and low solar activity conditions. A global model in magnetic coordinates, patterned after the mass spectrometer and incoherent scatter (MSIS) model, is developed for molecular nitrogen, atomic oxygen, and helium. It is shown to represent the data well, without any residual UT dependence, and with an accuracy comparable to that provided by the more complex MSIS model with longitude terms. The advantage of using magnetic coordinates is that they are more directly related to the major energy inputs and momentum sources in the polar regions than are geographic coordinates and are more convenient to use in studies of high latitude energy deposition processes. This is important for comparison with theoretical models where the number of coordinates is limited.

Very large perturbations in the thermosphere and ionosphere are induced by motions driven by heating and by electric fields in the auroral electrojet regions. Winds carry these effects to all latitudes. Because of this, thermospheric models have terms associated with magnetic activity. The Kp and Ap indices have usually been employed; however, these are poorly correlated with the temporal variations. Initial experiments are described with new indices based on the auroral electrojet indices of magnetic activity that are more directly related to the energy driving functions. The new indices are based on the time‐weighted average of the auroral electrojet indices over a period rather than on instantaneous values. Comparisons are made with the 3‐hour ap index for high‐latitude atomic oxygen densities under disturbed conditions. Conclusions are drawn on the problems and promise of the approach.