Changes in thermospheric density caused by turbulence variations

Seasonal and geomagnetic density variations in the thermosphere can be explained either by a system of thermally driven winds or, equally well, by changes in the turbulence structure. Observations show that both processes take place, but their relative importance has not yet been established. In this paper, a model incorporating both mechanisms is presented. Whereas seasonal changes may be generated by changes in the turbopause height, geomagnetic perturbations may be associated with a turbulent layer above the homopause region.     

Direct and indirect estimates of turbulence around the turbopause

Direct and indirect estimates of turbulence parameters at altitudes 80–120 km are reviewed. It is shown that there are contradictions in data on absolute value, shape, seasonal variations etc. of eddy diffusion coefficient K_t revealed or accepted by different authors. The strongest contradiction is in the views on the seasonal variations of turbulence. Possible explanation may be connected with the correct account for mean motions. Data on turbopause height obtained from neutral composition data (Ar, N₂) are discussed. The revealed reverse connection of this height with the temperature at 120 km is discussed in terms of K_t dependence on temperature gradient.     

台风影响电离层F2区的一种可能机制

在台风期间,特别是台风登陆前后,强烈的海气、陆气相互作用会增强低层大气中的湍流活动,并可能导致大气湍流层顶的抬升.这种抬升会改变高层大气结构,从而影响高层大气中的光化学过程,最终造成对电离层的影响.在台风活动抬升了湍流层顶的前提下,利用一个一维电离层物理模型,模拟了日本中纬地区(45°N,142°E)电离层F2区的响应.模拟结果很好地定性解释了如下观测事实,台风期间,电离层f0F2会下降,对给定频率电波的反射面会抬升;同时还表明以上过程会导致hmF2上升,这表明台风期间湍流层顶的抬升可能是台风影响电离层F2区的一种十分有效的机制.      

Turbulence around the turbopause deduced from ionospheric sporadic E for map

The turbulent diffusivity around the turbopause is deduced from the parameters of ionospheric sporadic E /Es/ and atmospheric models assuming the validity of the wind-shear theory of mid-latitude sporadic E. It has been found that during circulation disturbances in the lower thermosphere connected with stratospheric warmings the turbulent diffusivity appears to decrease. The results obtained so far indicate that the characteristic events of the winter months are shown not only by the large scale dynamics in the lower thermosphere, but also by the small scale phenomena and thus the turbulent diffusivity could contribute to the development of the winter anomaly.     

由大气密度的季变化所造成的中、低层大气电离率的季变化

本文对CIRA 1972 模式下的中、低层大气密度季变化所造成的电离率的季变化作了理论计算, 利用宇宙线电离源函数对全球中、低层大气的电离率作了数值计算.计算结果表明, 在70km以下的大气电离率的季变化幅度为百分之几十.在电离峰值高度(约15km)以下幅度为约百分之十, 高度越高变幅越大, 到70km处达35%.在20km以上电离率的季变化趋势与大气密度的季变化趋势大致相同, 夏季比冬季大, 20km以下变化稍为复杂.      

Properties of the mesosphere and thermosphere and comparison with CIRA 72

Exospheric temperatures of several reference atmosphere are reviewed and a recommendation is made for the exospheric temperature of a proposed mean CIRA. One of the deficiencies of CIRA 72 and other present thermospheric models is the representation of density changes with geomagnetic activity. This deficiency is illustrated with samples of data. The data show the effects of geomagnetic activity, particle precipitation, a solar proton event, and gravity waves. An empirical model developed from the unique AFGL satellite density data bank using multiple linear regression is reviewed. The present model is for low to moderate solar flux and quiet geomagnetic conditions, but it is planned to extend the model to active conditions. Good progress has been made since CIRA 72 was specified in our knowledge and understanding of the properties of the lower thermosphere, although there are still some unresolved problems. The biggest progress has been made in the theory of tidal effects and of particulate energy deposition and of electrojet heating. On the other hand, it is still not possible to define adequately the systematic variations of the lower boundary conditions of thermospheric models. This is due to lack of knowledge of the systematic variations of the structure properties in the 100 to 120 km altitude region and inadequate information on the mesospheric turbulence profile and variations in the turbopause altitude.     

Long term solar induced variations in total ozone, stratospheric temperatures and the tropopause

The variations of total ozone, stratospheric temperature and tropopause temperature are presented for the past 3 solar cycles for the summer months of the northern hemisphere. Ground-based, 30-year total column ozone series, filtered from its seasonal, QBO, El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and trend components are found to be correlated to the 11-year solar cycle. Model calculations with a 2D chemical transport model are consistent with the observations. Mean stratospheric temperature variations, between levels 100 and 10 hPa, show also the same variation, correlated with the observed 11-year solar cycle, and the tropopause temperature increases in the same manner, in response to a warmer stratosphere during solar maxima.     

Properties of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere

The variability and systematic variations of the properties of the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere are probably the least well known aspects of the terrestrial atmosphere. Satellite measurements of this region are very limited and rocket and remote sounding techniques do not provide comprehensive coverage. Progress is being made in theoretical studies of this region, primarily with regard to tidal effects, and some progress is being made in analyzing the relatively sparse experimental data that are available. Turbulence dynamics of the region has been studied by analyzing structure measurements at Kwajalein, wind data from Natal and systematic variations of the turbopause altitude determined from measurements of the diffusive separation of argon. One question that is being raised at this time, and it is appropriate at a time near solar maximum, is the extent of solar activity control of the properties of this region of the atmosphere. The occurrence rates and magnitudes of the turbulent diffusivity in the 70 to 90 km altitude region appear to correlate with solar activity with a time lag, as do also the incidence of aurora and the atomic oxygen green line intensity. Solar cycle dependence has been identified in mean zonal wind speeds in the 65 to 110 km altitude region above Saskatoon and in lower thermosphere temperatures measured at Heiss Island and at St. Santin. Millstone Hill data show that the mean meridional wind changes during a solar cycle. Solar cycle variations have also been detected in the stratosphere and troposphere.     

中国廊坊中间层和低热层大气平均风观测模拟

利用中国廊坊站（39.4°N,116.7°E）流星雷达在2012年4月1日至2013年3月31日的水平风场观测数据,分析廊坊上空80~100km的中间层与低热层（Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere,MLT）大气平均纬向风和经向风的季节变化特征.结果表明平均纬向风和经向风都表现出明显的季节变化特征.平均纬向风在冬季MLT盛行西风,极大值位于中间层顶,随高度增加西风减弱;在夏季中间层为东风,低热层为强西风,风向转换高度约为82km.平均经向风在冬季以南风为主,在夏季盛行北风.纬向风和经向风在春秋两季主要表现为过渡阶段.流星雷达观测结果与WACCM4模式和HWM93模式模拟的气候变化特点基本一致,但WACCM4模式纬向风和经向风风速偏大,而HWM93模式纬向风和经向风风速偏小.      

Reevaluation of thermosphere heating by auroral electrons

This paper presents a new calculation of neutral gas heating by precipitating auroral electrons. It is found that the heating rate of the neutral gas is significantly lower than previous determinations below 200 km altitude. The neutral gas heating arises from the many exothermic chemical reactions that take place from the ions and excited species created by the energetic electrons. The calculations show that less than half the energy initially deposited ends up heating the neutral gases. The rest is radiated or lost in the dissociation of O₂ because the O atoms do not recombine in the thermosphere. This paper also presents a new way of calculating the heating rate per ionization that can be used for efficient determination of the overall neutral gas heating for global thermosphere models. The heating rates are relatively insensitive to the neutral atmosphere when plotted against pressure rather than altitude coordinates. At high altitudes, the heating rates are sensitive to the thermal electron density and long-lived species. The calculations were performed with the Field Line Interhemispheric Plasma (FLIP) model using a 2-stream auroral electron precipitation model. The heating rate calculations in this paper differ from previous heating rate calculations in the treatment of backscattered electrons to produce better agreement with observed flux spectra. This paper shows that more realistic model auroral electron spectra can be obtained by reflecting the up going flux back to the ionosphere at the upper boundary of the model. In this case, the neutral gas heating rates are 20%–25% higher than when the backscattered flux escapes from the ionosphere.     

Diurnal and seasonal variations of F2 layer characteristics over Irkutsk during the decrease in solar activity in 2003–2006: Observations and IRI-2001 model predictions

The diurnal and seasonal variations of F2 layer characteristics (critical frequency, peak height and bottomside thickness) over Irkutsk, Russia (52.3 N and 104.3 E) are studied by the method of running medians. The comparison with the IRI-2001 model during the decrease in solar activity in 2003–2006 revealed cases of both close agreement and systematic differences between predictions and observations. The systematic difference is not the only reason for disagreement between IRI and observations; there are also intrayear variations which are not associated with seasonal behavior. The period of observation was too short to make conclusions about solar activity dependence of the noon bottomside thickness and the modification of its diurnal behavior with decreasing solar activity.     

Chemical heating rates derived from SCIAMACHY vibrationally excited OH limb emission spectra

The SCIAMACHY instrument on board Envisat is able to measure nearly all vibrational transitions of mesospheric hydroxyl – from the ultraviolet to the near infrared spectral region.

In this paper, we analyze SCIAMACHY limb emission data in the 1000–1750 nm spectral region by means of a new vibrational non-LTE model of OH. Several hydroxyl hotbands are identified. Vibrational non-LTE model calculations applying different collisional relaxation models are able to reproduce the measured spectra. Best agreement between model calculations and measured spectra is obtained, if a combination of multiquantum and step ladder single-quantum relaxation model is applied. Emissions from the OH(v = 9) vibrational state are used to derive chemical heating rates from the SCIAMACHY spectra. Instantaneous heating rates are in the order of 10 K/day.     

Mapping seasonal trends of electron temperature in the topside ionosphere based on DEMETER data

The diurnal, seasonal and latitudinal variations of the electron temperature in the Earth‘s topside ionosphere during relatively low solar activity period of 2005 – 2008 are investigated. In order to examine seasonal variations and morphology of the topside ionospheric plasma temperature, CNES micro-satellite DEMETER ISL data are used. Presented study is oriented on the dataset gathered in 2005 and 2008. Within conducted analysis, global maps of electron temperature for months of equinoxes and solstices have been developed. Furthermore, simultaneous studies on two-dimensional time series based on DEMETER measurements and predictions obtained with the IRI-2012 model supply examination of the topside ionosphere during recent deep solar minimum. Comparison with the IRI-2012 model reveals discrepancies between data and prediction, that are especially prominent during the periods of very low solar activity.     

青岛上空中层大气密度和温度的激光雷达探测

介绍了中国电波传播研究所瑞利散射激光雷达系统的结构和性能, 阐述了激光雷达探测中层大气密度和温度的工作原理, 给出了青岛地区中层大气密度和温度的初步探测结果. 通过与卫星、探空气球和大气模式数据的结果对比, 验证了激光雷达探测大气温度的可靠性. 基于2008-2009两年的观测, 获得了青岛地区上空中层大气温度的季节变化和平均分布. 激光雷达观测结果表明, 青岛地区平流层温度比CIRA86模式结果高, 且二者偏差呈夏秋季小、冬春季大的特点, 中间层温度则正好相反.      

TEC derived from some GPS stations in Nigeria and comparison with the IRI and NeQuick models

Total electron content (TEC) measured simultaneously using Global Positioning System (GPS) ionospheric monitors installed at some locations in Nigeria during the year 2011 (Rz = 55.7) was used to study the diurnal, seasonal, and annual TEC variations. The TEC exhibits daytime maximum, seasonal variation and semiannual variations. Measured TEC were compared with those predicted by the improved versions of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) and NeQuick models. The models followed the diurnal and seasonal variation patterns of the observed values of TEC. However, IRI model produced better estimates of TEC than NeQuick at all locations.     

A method for operative calculation of charged particle penetration into the LEO

We develop a simple method for calculating the effective vertical cutoff rigidity of charged particles, taking into account the Kp-index and the local time, on the basis of generalization of the results of extensive trajectory calculations for trial particles moving in the geomagnetic field. The vertical cutoff rigidities, calculated by the Tsyganenko-89 model, are presented as an International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) model calculated and thereafter corrected in accordance with the geomagnetic disturbance and local time conditions. The fits from the proposed method agree with the results of cutoff rigidity measurements carried out by satellites. The method is intended for applications using cutoff calculations, such as evaluating particle penetration of spatial boundaries, calculating magnetospheric transmissions for low-orbital spacecrafts flights and interpreting the results of orbital experiments.     

New input to IRI from the worldwide digisonde network

Electron density profiles derived from Digisonde ionograms at Argentia, Millstone Hill, Wallops Island, Bermuda, Dourbes and Karachi are compared with IRI model prediction. Four months of data for 1989/90 were analyzed. For a number of station/months N(h) profiles were available every 15 or 30 minutes providing a good statistical database for the evaluation of the IRI model in terms of diurnal and seasonal variations. The data presented here are part of the VIM study (Validation of Ionospheric Models) initiated by the URSI Working Group G3 on Ionospheric Informatics.     

Case study of September 24–26, 1998 magnetic storm

We compute global magnetospheric parameters based upon solar wind data obtained from the WIND spacecraft upstream. Using the paraboloid magnetospheric model, calculations of the dynamic global magnetospheric current systems have been made. The solar wind dynamic pressure, the interplanetary magnetic field, the strength of the tail current, and the ring current control the polar cap and auroral oval size and location during the magnetic storm. The model calculations demonstrate that the polar cap and the auroral oval areas are mainly controlled by the tail current. The substorm onset at 0630 UT on September 25, 1998 happened near the minimum in the main phase field depression. The substorm expansion onset time is also marked by a sudden enhancement in the solar wind dynamic pressure and an enhancement in the tail current. The magnetic signatures of these two effects cancel each other, which explains why the D_st profile shows no strong time variation during the substorm. Evidence for the substorm expansion includes not only the signature in the AL index but also the strong asymmetry of the low latitude magnetic disturbances (substorm positive bay signature). Model calculations were checked by comparison with the GOES 8 and 10 magnetic field measurements.     

中层大气钠层的流星蒸发模式

本文计算了地球中层大气的钠层模式。在此模式中,流星蒸发是形成钠层的源而尘埃的吸附足汇。本文考虑和比较了有关钠层形成机制的已往工作中所出现过的所有光化学反应,选出了四十个合理而重要的化学反应作为本模式的化学基础。模式也考虑进了高度变化的涡流扩散和带电粒子受地磁场作用的向下飘移等机制。本文对各化学反应和模式中各个因素的重要性作了比较和评价。本文计算结果表明,在各高度上中层大气中的钠及其化合物的相对浓度主要取决于化学反应过程本身,与源、汇及各层间扩散机制等关系不大。虽然在钠层模式计算中必须考虑到十种钠成分,但105公里以上主要成分足钠离子(Na+)。80公里以下主要成分是氢氧化钠(NaOH)。80公里到105公里间主要成分是中性钠原子(Na)。所有成分的总浓度主要地取决于源和汇随高度的分布。大气背景及电离常数的变化可以引起钠层相当显著的季变化和周日变化。理论计算结果与历年来的观测结果作比较后可以看到两者大体上符合得相当好。      

Validation of IRI-2012 TEC model over Ethiopia during solar minimum (2009) and solar maximum (2013) phases

This paper investigates the capacity of the latest version of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI-2012) model in predicting the vertical Total Electron Content (vTEC) over Ethiopian regions during solar minimum (2009) and solar maximum (2013) phases. This has been carried out by comparing the IRI-2012 modeled and experimental vTEC inferred from eight ground based dual frequency GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers installed recently at different regions of the country. In this work, the diurnal, monthly and seasonal variation in the measured vTEC have been analyzed and compared with the IRI-2012 modeled vTEC. During the solar minimum phase, the lowest and highest diurnal peak of the experimental vTEC are observed in July and October, respectively. In general, the diurnal variability of vTEC has shown minimum values around 0300 UT (0600 LT) and maximum values between around 1000 and 1300 UT (1300 and 1600 LT) during both solar activity phases. Moreover, the maximum and minimum monthly and seasonal mean hourly vTEC values are observed in October and July and in the March equinox and June solstice, respectively. It is also shown that the IRI-2012-model better predicts the diurnal vTEC in the time interval of about 0000–0300 UT (0300–0600 LT) during the solar minimum phase. However, the model generally overestimates the diurnal vTEC except in the time interval of about 0900–1500 UT (1200–1800 LT) during the solar maximum phase. The overall result of this work shows that the diurnal vTEC prediction performance of the model is generally better during the solar minimum phase than during solar maximum phase. Regarding the monthly and seasonal prediction capacity of the model, there is a good agreement between the modeled and measured monthly and seasonal mean hourly vTEC values in January and December solstice, respectively. Another result of the work depicts that unlike the GPS–TEC the IRI-2012 TEC does not respond to the effect resulted from geomagnetic storms.