Gravity wave mixing effects on the OH*-layer

Based on an advanced numerical model for excited hydroxyl (OH*) we simulate the effects of gravity waves (GWs) on the OH*-layer in the upper mesosphere. The OH* model takes into account (1) production by the reaction of atomic hydrogen (H) with ozone (O₃), (2) deactivation by atomic oxygen (O), molecular oxygen (O₂), and molecular nitrogen (N₂), (3) spontaneous emission, and (4) loss due to chemical reaction with O. This OH* model is part of a chemistry-transport model (CTM) which is driven by the high-resolution dynamics from the KMCM (Kühlungsborn Mechanistic general Circulation Model) which simulates mid-frequency GWs and their effects on the mean flow in the MLT explicitly. We find that the maximum number density and the height of the OH*-layer peak are strongly determined by the distribution of atomic oxygen and by the temperature. As a results, there are two ways how GWs influence the OH*-layer: (1) through the instantaneous modulation by O and T on short time scales (a few hours), and (2) through vertical mixing of O (days to weeks). The instantaneous variations of the OH*-layer peak altitude due to GWs amount to 5–10 km. Such variations would introduce significant biases in the GW parameters derived from airglow when assuming a constant pressure level of the emission height. Performing a sensitivity experiment we find that on average, the vertical mixing by GWs moves the OH*-layer down by ~2 to 7 km and increases its number density by more than 50%. This effect is strongest at middle and high latitudes during winter where secondary GWs generated in the stratopause region account for large GW amplitudes.     

The characteristics of the semi-diurnal tides in mesosphere/low-thermosphere (MLT) during 2002 at Wuhan (30.6°N, 114.4°E) – using canonical correlation analysis technique

In this paper, we use canonical correlation analysis (CCA) method to investigate the semi-diurnal tidal winds in mesosphere and low thermosphere (MLT) region, observed by a newly installed meteor radar at Wuhan (30.6°N, 114.4°E), during the year 2002. In general, 4(3) effective semi-diurnal tidal pairs of patterns are obtained, which represent ∼2/3 total variances of the origin data set. These patterns are expected to be corresponding to the atmospheric oscillations within the semi-diurnal frequency band excited or modulated by different sources, i.e., the seasonal variations, the modulations by the planetary wave oscillations or the solar 27-day activity. Among all the patterns, the 1st pattern, which represents ∼1/3 of total variances, is the most notable. Its amplitudes show maximum values in spring and autumn, and the vertical wavelengths are longer in summer and shorter in winter, which is in line with the results obtained from traditional harmonic analysis. The vertical wavelengths of the higher order patterns (∼50 km) suggest the classic semi-tidal mode S(2, 4)/S(2, 5) is dominant.     

The equatorial ionization anomaly at the topside F region of the ionosphere along 75°E

Electron density measured by the Indian satellite SROSS C2 at the altitude of ∼500 km in the 75°E longitude sector for the ascending half of the solar cycle 22 from 1995 to 1999 are used to study the position and density of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA). Results show that the latitudinal position and peak electron density of the EIA crest and crest to trough ratios of the anomaly during the 10:00–14:00 LT period vary with season and from one year to another. Both EIA crest position and density are found to be asymmetric about the magnetic equator and the asymmetry depends on season as well as the year of observation, i.e., solar activity. The latitudinal position of the crest of the EIA and the crest density bears good positive correlation with F_10.7 and the strength of the equatorial electrojet (EEJ).     

Ozone chemical equilibrium in the extended mesopause under the nighttime conditions

For retrieval of atomic oxygen and atomic hydrogen via ozone observations in the extended mesopause region (～70–100?km) under nighttime conditions, an assumption on photochemical equilibrium of ozone is often used in research. In this work, an assumption on chemical equilibrium of ozone near mesopause region during nighttime is proofed. We examine 3D chemistry-transport model (CTM) annual calculations and determine the ratio between the correct (modeled) distributions of the O₃ density and its equilibrium values depending on the altitude, latitude, and season.The results show that the retrieval of atomic oxygen and atomic hydrogen distributions using an assumption on ozone chemical equilibrium may lead to large errors below ～81–87?km. We give simple and clear semi-empirical criterion for practical utilization of the lower boundary of the area with ozone’s chemical equilibrium near mesopause.     

Sodium lidar measurements of mesopause region temperatures at 23° S

A sodium lidar, capable of measuring temperature in the 80–100 km region, has been in operation at São José dos Campos (23° S, 46 W) since March 2007. Good quality data have been obtained for late autumn, winter and spring, but weather conditions make it extremely difficult to make measurements from mid-November to mid- February. We find the temperature structure to be strongly modulated by tides and gravity waves, but average profiles typically show a primary mesopause height close to 100 km with temperatures around 180 K, and a tendency for a secondary minimum of about 185 K to occur close to 90 km. Vertical temperature gradients greater than 50 K/km are sometimes seen even on profiles averaged over several hours. The strongest gradients are always positive and are frequently associated with strong gradients in sodium concentration. On the other hand, we frequently see rapid changes in the temperature profile, suggesting that models and non-local temperature measurements, as made by satellite radiometers, for example, are of little use in applications such as the analysis of gravity wave propagation seen in airglow images.     

Creation of model of quasi-trapped proton fluxes below Earth’s radiation belt

The object of investigation is the phenomenon of proton (from tens keV to several MeV) flux enhancement in near-equatorial region (L < 1.15) at altitude up to ∼1300 km (the storm-time equatorial belt). These fluxes are quite small but the problem of their origin is more interesting than the possible damage they can produce. The well known sources of these protons are radiation belt and ring current. The mechanism of transport is the charge-exchange on neutral hydrogen of exosphere and the charge-exchange on oxygen of upper atmosphere. Therefore this belt is something like the ring current projection to low altitudes. Using the large set of satellites data we obtain the average energy spectrum, the approximation of spectrum using kappa-function, the flux dependence on L, B geomagnetic parameters. On the basis of more than 30 years of experimental observations we made the empiric model that extends model of proton fluxes below 100 keV in the region of small L-values (L < 1.15). The model was realized as the package of programs integrated into COSRAD system available via Internet. The model can be used for revision of estimation of dose that low-orbital space devices obtain.     

Determination of window frequency in the millimeter wave band in the range of 58° north through 45° south over the globe

The radiosonde data available from British Atmospheric Data Centre (BADC) for the latitudinal occupancy of 58° north through 45° south were analyzed to observe the variation of temperature and water vapor density. These two climatological parameters are largely assumed to be the influencing factors in determining the millimeter wave window frequencies over the chosen range of latitudes in between the two successive maxima occurring at 60 and 120 GHz. It is observed that between temperature and water vapor density, the later one is influencing mostly in determining the window frequency. It is also observed that the minima is occurring at 75 GHz through 94 GHz over the globe during the month January–February and 73 GHz through 85 GHz during the month July–August, depending on the latitudinal occupancy. It is observed that the large abundance of water vapor is mainly held responsible for shifting of minima towards the low value of frequencies. Hence, it is becoming most important to look at the climatological parameters in determining the window frequency at the place of choice.     

Ozone variability related to several SEP events occurring during solar cycle no. 23

Data from geostationary operational environmental satellite (GOES) series were used to identify intense solar energetic particle (SEP) events occurred during the solar activity cycle no. 23. We retrieved O₃, NO, NO₂, HNO₃, OH, HCl and OHCl profiles coming from different satellite sensors (solar occultation and limb emission) and we looked for the mesospheric/stratospheric response to SEPs at high terrestrial latitudes. The chemistry of the minor atmospheric components is analysed to evaluate the associated odd nitrogen (NO_x) and odd hydrogen (HO_x) production, able to cause short (h) and medium (days) term ozone variations. We investigated the effects of SEPs on the polar atmosphere in three different seasons, i.e., January 2005, April 2002 and July 2000. The inter-hemispheric variability of the ozone, induced by the SEP series of January 2005, has been compared with the effects connected both to larger and quite similar events. We found that during SEP events: (i) solar illumination is the key factor driving SEP-induced effects on the chemistry of the polar atmosphere; (ii) even events with limited particle flux in the range 15–40 MeV are able to change the abundance of the minor constituents in the mesosphere and upper stratosphere.     

Evidence for the lowering of the centroid of daytime thermospheric O(D) 630.0 nm emission over the magnetic equator: First results

It is shown in this paper for the first time that the intensity of the daytime thermospheric O(¹D) 630.0 nm airglow as measured by the ground-based dayglow photometer over Trivandrum (8.5°N; 77°E; dip lat. 0.5°N), a geomagnetic dip equatorial station, exhibit a direct correlation with the electron density at 180 km. This altitude is about ∼40 km lower than the believed centroid of the O(¹D) 630.0 nm dayglow emission i.e. 220 km. This observation is contrary to the understanding of the behavior of O(¹D) 630.0 nm dayglow over equatorial/low latitudes. Over these latitudes, the variations of the measured intensity of O(¹D) 630.0 nm dayglow are known to be associated with the changes in the electron density at altitudes around 220 km, the centroid of this emission. In this context, the present results indicating the lowering of the peak altitude of O(¹D) 630.0 nm emission from ∼220 to ∼180 km over the dip equator is new. Recent results on solar XUV flux indicate that this could be an important parameter that controls the O(¹D) 630.0 nm dayglow excitation rates through modulations in the neutral and ionic composition in lower thermosphere-ionosphere region. However, the lowering of the centroid of O(¹D) 630.0 nm emission, as shown in this study, has been ascribed primarily to the fountain effect associated with the equatorial ionization anomaly.     

Consequences of the application of the streamer fluid model to the study of the sprite inception mechanism

We present the results of a streamer-fluid model used to investigate the electrodynamical coupling between the troposphere and upper atmosphere due to the penetration of lightning electric fields into the mesosphere and the lower ionosphere, generating sprites. The model solves the continuity equation for electrons and ions coupled to Poisson equation. The dominant physical response of the atmosphere is the formation of a screening-ionization wave. The wave shields the atmosphere above it from the action of the lightning field and, together with the conductivity reduction below it due to attachment, the wave amplifies the total field below it, allowing for the penetration of intense electric fields in the mesosphere as it propagates downwards into regions of higher density that compress the wave. This is the key physical mechanism for sprite inception. We evaluated the effects of the thundercloud charge geometry, lightning current waveshape, atmospheric conductivity, via different electron density profiles, and the effect of ionization, attachment and electron mobility coefficients in the electrical breakdown process, related to halo production, and sprite streamer initiation. The results showed that electrons with higher mobility are more efficient in shielding the lightning electric field before breakdown, causing delay, and they contribute to the formation of the streamer seed after breakdown, anticipating the sprite streamer inception. Similarly, a higher effective ionization rate, produced by modifications in the attachment and ionization coefficients, anticipates sprite inception. The simulations with 6 different electron density profiles, and therefore conductivities, spanning 4 orders of magnitude, showed that the altitude of breakdown and sprite initiation, as well as their time delays from the lightning discharge are directly related to atmospheric conductivity: higher conductivities produce halo and sprite inception at lower altitudes with longer delays and may hinder sprite formation. We document that variations of 30 times in the lightning current leads to sprite initiation altitudes in the range 66.0–73.5 km, with delays between 1.550 and 34.500 ms, while variations of 4 orders of magnitude in the conductivity profile lead to initiation altitudes 61.0–70.6 km, with delays in the range 3.825–9.825 ms. Consequently, we suggest that lightning characteristics dominate over atmospheric parameters in determining sprites’ initiation altitude and delay. The simulation of a −CG, with a constant current of 30 kA, did not produce a sprite seed, confirming an asymmetry in the response of the atmosphere to positive and negative lightning. This is due to the free electron drift direction that is away from the screening ionization wave, preventing the formation of the streamer seed for the great majority of −CGs. The same does not apply to halos, which depend on the occurrence of breakdown and can be produced by discharges of both polarities.     

A superposed epoch study of the effects of solar wind stream interface events on the upper mesospheric and lower thermospheric temperature

The response of mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) temperature to energetic particle precipitation over the Earth’s polar regions is not uniform due to complex phenomena within the MLT environment. Nevertheless, the modification of MLT temperatures may require an event-based study to be better observed. This work examines the influence of precipitation, triggered by solar wind stream interfaces (SI) event from 2002 to 2007, on polar MLT temperature. We first test the relationship between the ionospheric absorption measured by the SANAE IV (South African National Antarctic Expedition IV) riometer and the layer of energetic particle precipitation from POES (Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites). The combined particle measurements from POES 15, 16, 17 and 18 were obtained close in time to the pass of the SABER (Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) temperature retrieval. Here, a superposed epoch technique is described and implemented to obtain average temperature profiles during SI-triggered particle precipitation. The superposed epoch average shows no significant temperature decrease below 100 km prior to the onset of SI-triggered precipitation, whereas a clear superposed average temperature decrease is observed at 95 km after the SI impact. A case study of SI event also yields similar observations. Results indicate that cooling effects due to the production of mesospheric odd hydrogen might be major contributors to temperature decrease under compressed solar wind stream.     

Measurement of minor species (H2, Cl,O3, NO) in the earth's atmosphere by the occultation technique

The stellar occultation technique is a clean and powerful means of detecting and quantifying minor gases in the earth's atmosphere. The results obtained are totally insensitive to knowledge of the absolute flux of the star, and are not influenced by instrument calibration problems. Pioneering observations of nocturnal mesospheric ozone and thermospheric molecular oxygen by the stellar occultation technique were made in 1970 and 1971 with the Wisconsin stellar photometers on board the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory-2. A limb crossing geometry was used. The high resolution Princeton ultraviolet spectrometer aboard Copernicus was used in the summers of 1975, 1976 and 1977 to measure altitude profiles of molecular hydrogen, atomic chlorine and nitric oxide in addition to ozone and molecular oxygen. A limb grazing geometry was employed. The ozone densities show wide variation from orbit to orbit and particularly betewen the OAO-2 and Copernicus observations. A H₂ density of 1×10⁸ cm^?3 at 95 km, and a NO density less than 10⁶ cm^?3 for altitudes greater than 85 km were measured.     

An empirical model of electron density in low latitude at 600 km obtained by Hinotori satellite

An empirical model of electron density (Ne) was constructed by using the data obtained with an impedance probe on board Japanese Hinotori satellite. The satellite was in circular orbit of the height of 600 km with the inclination of 31 degrees from February 1981 to June 1982. The constructed model gives Ne at any local time with the time resolution of 90 min and between −25 and 25 degrees in magnetic latitude with its resolution of 5 degrees in the range of F_10.7 from 150 to 250 under the condition of K_p < 4. Spline interpolations are applied to the functions of day of year, geomagnetic latitude and solar local time, and linear interpolation is applied to the function of F_10.7. Longitude dependence of Ne is not taken into account. Our density model can reproduce solar local time variation of electron density at 600 km altitude better than current International Reference Ionosphere (IRI2001) model which overestimates Ne in night time and underestimates Ne in day time. Our density model together with electron temperature model which has been constructed before will enable more understanding of upper ionospheric phenomenon in the equatorial region.     

A numerical model approximating extreme energetic electron events involved in the physical and chemical processes of the middle atmosphere

Relativistic electrons (with energies >150 keV) which originate in the outer radiation belt and detected by the Russian ‘Meteor’ series of satellites have been correlated with the atmospheric total ozone data compiled by almost 90 stations located around the world within the latitude zone 40°–70°N. In more than 60% of the stations examined we have detected a clear decrease of the ozone 3–5 days after the electron flux excess. A numerical model has been applied to approximate this effect based on relativistic electron initiated nitric oxides creation in the upper mesosphere with subsequent atmospheric transport (both vertical and horizontal) towards the upper stratosphere. A first attempt of local and temporal prediction of ozone depletion because of energetic electrons impact in the middle atmosphere has been illustrated.     

Gravity waves and wind-shear in the MLT at 23°S

We have used the technique suggested by Hocking [Hocking, W. A new approach to momentum flux determinations using SKiYMET meteor radars. Ann. Geophys. 23, 2005.] to derive short period wind variances in the 80–100 km region from meteor radar data. We find that these fluctuating winds, assumed to correspond to gravity waves and turbulence, are closely correlated with the vertical shear of the horizontal tidal winds. This close correlation suggests that in situ wind shear may be a major source of gravity waves and turbulence in the MLT. If this is the case, gravity waves generated in the troposphere and propagating up to the MLT region, generally assumed to constitute an important influence on the climatology of the region, may be a less important source of energy and momentum in the 80–100 km region than has been hitherto believed.     

Influence of solar 11-year variability on chemical composition of the stratosphere and mesosphere simulated with a chemistry-climate model

An understanding of observed global chemistry and climate changes caused by solar activity changes is a high priority in modern geosciences. Here, we discuss the influence of the ultraviolet spectral irradiance variability during solar cycle on chemical composition of the stratosphere and mesosphere with chemistry-climate model that fully describes the interactions between chemical and thermo-dynamical processes. We have performed several 20-year long steady-state runs and found a significant influence of solar irradiation on the chemical composition in the stratosphere and mesosphere. An enhanced photolysis during solar maximum results in destruction of methane, nitrous oxide and CFCs providing an increase in the chemical activity of the atmosphere with more pronounced effects in the mesosphere. In the mesosphere, an increase of HO_x caused by more intensive water vapor photolysis results in significant ozone depletion there. More intensive methane oxidation gives statistically significant rise to the stratospheric humidity. The influence of dynamical perturbations has been identified over high latitude areas. The response of OH is found to be in a good agreement with observation data. The response of the other species is hard to validate, because of the lack of theoretical and observational studies.     

Effect of severe geomagnetic storm conditions on atomic oxygen greenline dayglow emission in mesosphere

Severe geomagnetic storms and their effects on the 557.7 nm dayglow emission are studied in mesosphere. This study is primarily based on photochemical model with the necessary input obtained from a combination of experimental observations and empirical models. The model results are presented for a low latitude station Tirunelveli (8.7°N, 77.8°E). The volume emission rates are calculated using MSISE-90 and NRLMSISE-00 neutral atmospheric models. A comparison is made between the results obtained from these two models. A positive correlation amongst volume emission rate (VER), O, O₂ number densities and Dst index has been found. The present results indicate that the variation in emission rate is more for MSISE-90 than in NRLMSISE-00 model. The maximum depletion in the VER of greenline dayglow emission is found to be about 30% at 96 km during the main phase of the one of the geomagnetic storms investigated in the case of MSISE-90 (which is strongest with Dst index −216 nT). The O₂ density decreases about 22% at 96 km during the main phase of the same geomagnetic storm.The NRLSMSISE-00 model does not show any appreciable change in the number density of O during any of the two events. The present study also shows that the altitude of peak emission rate is unaffected by the geomagnetic storms. The effect of geomagnetic storm on the greenline nightglow emission has also been studied. It is found that almost no correlation can be established between the Dst index and variations in the volume emission rates using the NRLMSISE-00 neutral model atmosphere. However, a positive correlation is found in the case of MSISE-90 and the maximum depletion in the case of nightglow is about 40% for one of the storms. The present study shows that there are significant differences between the results obtained using MSISE-90 and NRLMSISE-00.     

Variability of the ionospheric electron density at fixed heights and validation of IRI-2007 profile’s prediction at Ilorin

A study on the variability of the equatorial ionospheric electron density was carried out at fixed heights below the F2 peak using one month data for each of high and low solar activity periods. The data used for this study were obtained from ionograms recorded at Ilorin, Nigeria, and the study covers height range from 100 km to the peak of the F2 layer for the daytime hours and height range from 200 km to the peak of the F2 layer for the nighttime hours. The results showed that the deviation of the electron density variation from simple Chapman variation begins from an altitude of about 200 km for the two months investigated. Daytime minimum variability of between 2.7% and 9.0% was observed at the height range of about 160 and 200 km during low solar activity (January 2006) and between 3.7% and 7.8% at the height range of 210 and 260 km during high solar activity (January 2002). The nighttime maximum variability was observed at the height range of 210 and 240 km at low solar activity and at the height range of 200 and 240 km at high solar activity. A validation of IRI-2007 model electron density profile’s prediction was also carried out. The results showed that B0 option gives a better prediction around the noontime.     

Kinetic temperature and carbon dioxide from broadband infrared limb emission measurements taken from the TIMED/SABER instrument

The Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) experiment is one of four instruments on NASA’s Thermosphere–Ionosphere–Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite. SABER measures broadband infrared limb emission and derives vertical profiles of kinetic temperature (Tk) from the lower stratosphere to approximately 120 km, and vertical profiles of carbon dioxide (CO₂) volume mixing ratio (vmr) from approximately 70 km to 120 km. In this paper we report on SABER Tk/CO₂ data in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region from the version 1.06 dataset. The continuous SABER measurements provide an excellent dataset to understand the evolution and mechanisms responsible for the global two-level structure of the mesopause altitude. SABER MLT Tk comparisons with ground-based sodium lidar and rocket falling sphere Tk measurements are generally in good agreement. However, SABER CO₂ data differs significantly from TIME-GCM model simulations. Indirect CO₂ validation through SABER-lidar MLT Tk comparisons and SABER-radiation transfer comparisons of nighttime 4.3 μm limb emission suggest the SABER-derived CO₂ data is a better representation of the true atmospheric MLT CO₂ abundance compared to model simulations of CO₂ vmr.     

Measurement of mesopause temperature from hydroxyl nightglow at Kolhapur (16.8°N, 74.2°E), India

The paper reports the nightglow observations of hydroxyl (8–3), (7–2) and (6–2) Meinel band carried out at a low latitude station Kolhapur (16.8°N, 74.2°E, dip latitude 10.6°N), India during November 2002 to May 2005 with the objective of investigating mesopause dynamics based on derived OH rotational temperature. Overall, 132 nights of quality data were collected using filter-tilting photometer and an all-sky scanning photometer. The mean mesopause temperature observed at Kolhapur is 195 ± 11, 196 ± 9 and 195 ± 7 K from OH (8–3), (7–2) and (6–2) band emissions, respectively, using transition probabilities given by Langhoff et al. [Langhoff, S.R., Werner, H.J., Rosmus, P. Theoretical transition probabilities for the OH Meinel system. Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy 118, 507–529, 1986]. Small wave-like variations (periodicities ∼ few hours) existing over long period variations in derived temperatures are also present. A steady decrease of emission intensities from evening to dawn hours has been observed in approximately 59% of nights. No significant change of nightly mean temperatures has been noted. Furthermore, about 62% of observed nightly mean temperatures lie within one error bar of MSISE-90 model predictions.