Boundary of nighttime ozone chemical equilibrium in the mesopause region: Improved criterion of determining the boundary from satellite data

A modified derivation of the criterion of nighttime ozone chemical equilibrium (NOCE) in the mesopause region is presented. According to 3D model calculations, the improved criterion reproduces the lower boundary of the equilibrium much better than its earlier version. Processing of the SABER/TIMED data of 2021 has shown that the modified criterion elevates the NOCE boundary by ～ 0.1–1.7 km, depending on latitude and season. The proposed method of determining the condition of chemical equilibrium can be used to analyse the equilibrium of many trace gases in the stratosphere and troposphere important for different practical applications.     

Ozone trends in the mid-latitude stratopause region based on microwave measurements at Lindau (51.66° N, 10.13° E), the ozone reference model,and model calculations

We compared 8 years of ozone measurements taken at Lindau (51.66° N, 10.13° E) at altitudes between 40 and 60 km using the microwave technique with the CIRA ozone reference model that was established 20 years ago (Keating et al., 1990). We observed a remarkable decrease in ozone density in the stratopause region (i.e., an altitude of 50 km), but the decrease in ozone density in the middle mesosphere (i.e., up to 60 km in altitude) is slight. Likewise, we observed only a moderate decrease in the atmospheric region below the stratopause. Other studies have found the strongest ozone decrease at 40 km and a more moderate decrease at 50 km, which is somewhat in contradiction to our results. This decrease in ozone density also strongly depends on the season. Similar results showed model calculations using the GCM COMMA-IAP when considering the increase in methane. In the lower mesosphere/stratopause region, the strongest impact on the concentration of odd oxygen (i.e., O₃ and O) was observed due to a catalytic cycle that destroys odd oxygen, including atomic oxygen and hydrogen radicals. The hydrogen radicals mainly result from an increase in water vapor with the growing anthropogenic release of methane. The finding suggesting that the stratopause region is apparently attacked more strongly by the water vapor increase has been interpreted in terms of the action of this catalytic cycle, which is most effective near the stratopause and amplified by a positive feedback between the ozone column density and the ozone dissociation rate, thereby chemically influencing the ozone density. However, the rising carbon dioxide concentration cools the middle atmosphere, thereby damping the ozone decline by hydrogen radicals.     

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.     

基于钠激光雷达观测数据的中间层顶大气温度分布特性研究

作为中间层和热层的边界层,中间层顶存在多种能量交换方式,是大气能量耦合的重要区域。本文利用部署于中国科学院廊坊临近空间大气探测站的钠荧光多普勒激光雷达2013年的观测数据,研究了廊坊上空中间层顶区域大气温度的年度和季节分布特性,并分析了影响温度分布的多种因素。年平均温度廓线图显示,中间层顶位于约97.5 km高度处,温度约191.2 K。受放热化学反应的影响,年平均温度廓线91 km高度处出现了一个198 K的相对温度高点。中间层顶区域大气温度的季节分布受太阳辐射和大气动力学因素综合影响,夏季在大气动力学影响下,中间层顶高度较低,位于88 km高度处,温度也较低,约177 K;冬季太阳辐射起主导作用,中间层顶位于99 km高度处,温度为181 K。通过拟合月平均温度分析了中间层顶区域大气温度年变化和半年变化的振幅和相位特征。结果显示,中间层顶区域上部温度分布主要受太阳辐射的影响;在中间层顶区域下部,大气波动主导了温度分布。      

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.     

Mesospheric ozone densities deduced from solar occultation measurements

Quartz-UV occultation measurements by the satellite Interkosmos-16 have been used to calculate ozone densities at altitudes between 50 and 90 km for the period August to October 1976. Below 65 km densities agree well with the Krueger-Minzner-model. Mesopause densities have been studied in some detail. A certain percentage of the profiles show close correlation with the model of Shimazaki and Laird (with a pronounced minimum below the mesopause) while others fit better to the Park and London model (no minimum). This variability of the ozone density may be caused by different processes in the photo-chemistry of ozone. Two possible causes, the temperature dependent rate coefficients and the odd hydrogen processes are discussed in greater detail.     

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.     

Directional Filtering Due to Mesospheric Wind Shear on the Propagation of Acoustic-gravity Waves

Gravity waves with periods close to the Brunt-V?is?l? period of the upper troposphere are often observed at mesopause altitudes as short period, quasi-monochromatic waves. The assumption that these short period waves originate in the troposphere may be problematic because their upward propagation to the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region could be significantly impeded due to an extended region of strong evanescence above the stratopause. To reconcile this apparent paradox, an alternative explanation is proposed in this paper. The inclusion of mean winds and their vertical shears is sufficient to allow certain short period waves to remain internal above the stratopause and to propagate efficiently to higher altitudes. A time-dependent numerical model is used to demonstrate the feasibility of this and to determine the circumstances under which the mesospheric wind shears play a role in the removal and directional filtering of short period gravity waves. Finally this paper concludes that the combination of the height-dependent mean winds and the mean temperature structure probably explains the existence of short period, quasi-monochromatic structures observed in airglow images of mesopause region.      

Temporal,seasonal, and solar cycle variations of the topside proton concentration at Arecibo

An estimate of the topside proton concentration can be obtained by analyzing the incoherent scatter radar autocorrelation function from that region. Our observations at Arecibo, Puerto Rico indicate that the H⁺ to O⁺ composition transition height often occurs as low as 450 km during winter nights, near solar minimum. In the summer, the nighttime transition height is only slightly higher, near 600 km. This height is also affected by the level of magnetic activity. Maximum concentrations of H⁺ occur near 04:00 LT, with a minimum about twelve hours later. The observations of topside H⁺ were acquired during the past six years as part of the Regular World Day experiments, and from studies of the low latitude hydrogen geocorona. In particular, we will emphasize the results obtained during the solstice and equinox periods of the Thermospheric Mapping Study.     

TIMED卫星探测的全球大气温度分布及其与经验模式的比较

利用TIMED卫星遥感探测的全球温度分布与NRLMSISE-00大气经验模式进行了对比研究.研究表明,在中间层下部以下的高度范围内,经验模式与卫星探测的大气温度分布有很好的一致性.但是比较发现,在中层顶区域,经验模式的计算结果与实测结果有较大的差异.卫星探测表明,在春分季节的低纬地区中层顶区存在稳定的逆温层,但是经验模式不能给出低纬地区春分季节中间层逆温层的分布特征.卫星观测表明在全球范围内中层顶有两个非常不同的高度,一个处于100km附近,另一个处于85km附近,但是经验模式不能给出这一中层顶高度的分布特征.同时在低热层,经验模式计算的温度分布与卫星遥感的探测结果有很大的差异.      

对流层顶变化对上对流层/下平流层臭氧分布的影响

上对流层和下平流层(UT／LS)，位于8-25km高度之间，是大气中一个很特殊的区域．大部分的臭氧分布在下平流层，在下平流层臭氧的含量发生一个很小的变化，就会对气候和地面的紫外辐射产生很大的影响．而作为气象参数的对流层顶，是充分混合、缺乏臭氧的上对流层和层结稳定、臭氧丰富的下平流层之间的边界或过渡层，其变化对臭氧总量和分布有直接和明显的影响．本文使用二维模式模拟研究对流层顶变化对臭氧在UT／LS分布的影响．模拟结果表明对流层顶的季节变化对UT/LS的臭氧分布有明显的影响，臭氧的局地变化可以超过10％在冬季北半球中纬度对流层顶高度升高1km时，模式结果表明对臭氧分布的影响比较显著，局地变化可超过6％，但是对臭氧总量的影响较小，变化不超过5DU，小于观测资料统计分析的结果。     

Rocket observations of the atomic and molecular oxygen emissions in the equatorial region

A Brazilian sounding rocket, SONDA III, with two airglow photometers and two ionospheric electron density probes, was launched successfully from Natal (5.8°S, 35.2°W), Brazil, on December 11, 1985, at 23:30 GMT. The observed height profiles of the atomic oxygen OI 5577Å and molecular oxygen Atmospheric (0,0) band at 7619Å emissions are discussed. This is the first simultaneous measurement of these emissions in the equatorial region. A preliminary analysis shows that the two emissions have peak emission heights located between 95 and 96 km, and their half widths are about 6 km. The O₂A 7619Å emission peak, however, is located slightly lower, less than 1 km, than that of the OI 5577Å emission.     

Model calculations of middle atmospheric wind and temperature fields

The zonally-averaged circulation of the middle atmosphere between 10 and 110 km is calculated from a two-dimensional grid point model for steady solstice conditions. Using the temperatures of CIRA 72 in a diagnostic study of the vertical-meridional circulation we have investigated the influence of a latitude dependent static stability and the consequences of meridional temperature advection. In the summer mesopause region we found an area of subsidence which is located near the equatorward boundary of the noctilucent cloud region. In a self-consistent dynamical study we have assumed an empirical momentum source in the lower summer thermosphere in addition to the well-known Rayleigh friction to obtain an eastward zonal flow in this region.     

星载全球大气波动成像仪研究

在卫星上对中间层顶区域的气辉辐射成像观测, 对于全球大气波动的监测和研究具有重要的意义. 利用TDICCD对O₂A (0-0)气辉进行成像观测, 计算了曝光积分时间、信噪比和能达到的最高空间分辨率, 分析了地球自转对空间分辨率的影响, 在此基础上提出一种星载全球大气波动成像仪方案, 该方案可以观测垂直波长大于10km的大气波动, 最高水平分辨率可以达到0.33km.      

The 16-day waves in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere over Wuhan (30.6°N, 114.5°E) and Adelaide (35°S, 138°E)

Winds from a meteor radar at Wuhan (30.6°N, 114.5°E) and a MF radar at Adelaide (35°S, 138°E) are used to study the 16-day waves in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). The height range is 78–98 km at Wuhan and 70–98 km at Adelaide. By comparison, it is found that the zonal components at both sites are generally larger than the meridional ones, and eastward motion of the zonal background winds is favorable for the 16-day waves penetration to the MLT region. The zonal maximum amplitude appears in the autumn (September–October) around 86–98 km at Wuhan and in the winter months and early spring (July–October) around 72–82 km at Adelaide. Differences are found in wave amplitudes and time of appearance between the two years of 2002 and 2003. In 2003, the intensity of the wave amplitudes is relatively smaller than that for 2002 at both sites. The summer 16-day waves are comparatively weaker at Adelaide in both years, but stronger in 2002 at Wuhan near the mesopause and the lower thermosphere (86–98 km). The strong summer waves at Wuhan may come from the winter southern hemisphere.     

太阳光谱辐射强度变化对地球能量平衡的影响分析

目前太阳对地球能量平衡影响的研究大都是以太阳总辐射通量密度作为输入参数的. 本文以美国航空航天局（National Aeronautics and Space Administration,NASA）太阳辐射与气候实验项目的卫星实测数据为基础,对太阳上升相（2010年上半年）和下降相（2007年12月）期间太阳光谱变化对地球能量平衡的影响进行了研究. 结果表明,2010年上半年较强的太阳总辐射通量密度主要是由紫外及红外波段的能量增强引起的,其在200～400nm 和760～4000nm波段内的平均能量分别增加了0.11%和0.05%,而在 400～760nm可见光区的能量却呈减小趋势,平均减小量为0.05%. 通过对MLS2.2全球臭氧日数据进行再分析后发现,相对于2007年12月,2010年上半年平流层臭氧浓度也有所增加,其中在太阳紫外辐射呈现较大增强的2月和3月,其臭氧增量也相对较大,最大值分别出现在33km和40km处,值为0.6mL·m-3和0.62mL·m-3. 因此,可见光区能量减弱与平流层臭氧浓度增加的双重削弱作用致使虽然2010年上半年的太阳总辐射通量密度较大,但是到达对流层顶的太阳辐射却有所减小,最大减小量出现在3月,值为0.15W·m-2. 这一结果说明,太阳活动或总辐射通量密度的增强也有可能对地球对流层系统起到冷却作用.      

Mesosphere/lower thermosphere wind regime parameters using a newly installed SKiYMET meteor radar at Kazan (56°N, 49°E)

New meteor radar (MR) horizontal wind data obtained during 2015–2018 at Kazan (56°N, 49°E) are presented. The measurements were carried out with a state-of-the-art SKiYMET meteor radar. Monthly mean vertical profiles of zonal and meridional components of the prevailing wind speeds, also amplitudes and phases of the components of diurnal (DT) and semidiurnal tide (SDT) winds are displayed as contour plots for a mean calendar year over the four recent years and compared with distributions of these parameters provided by the previous multiyear (1986–2002) meteor radar (MR) measurements at Kazan and by the recent HWM07 empirical model. The analysis shows that the SKiYMET zonal and meridional prevailing wind speeds are generally in good agreement, sharing the same seasonal features, with the earlier MR seasonal winds. Comparisons with the HWM07 model are not favourable: eastward solstitial cells as modelled are significantly larger, >30?m/s compared to 15–20?m/s. Also, reversal lines are too variable with height, and the positions of modelled cells (positive and negative) are unlike those of either MRs at Kazan or other MLT radars. Both MR systems provide the large SDT amplitudes, approximately 30?m/s and vertical wavelengths, approximately 55?km, for both components at middle latitudes in winter. They also show the well known strong SDT September feature (heights 85–100?km, the vertical wavelength ～55–60?km), and the weak summer SDT for 80–91?km. HWM07 shows unrealistic amplitudes and phases above 90?km by height and month: minimal amplitudes in equinoxes and no September feature.The weak DT of middle to high latitudes provide similar amplitude and phase structures from both MRs, 1986–2002 and 2015–2017: largest amplitudes (10–12 or 8–10?m/s) for the evanescent meridional tide in summer, peaking in late July; weakest (0–2, 2–4?m/s) at 80 to 92–96?km, when the tide is vertically propagating (January, February, November, December) with a vertical wavelength near 40?km. Again, HWM07 differs in amplitude and phase structures: showing peak amplitudes in equinoxes: April, 15?m/s at 88?km; October, 21?m/s at 89?km.Coupling of the MR wind parameters with the ERA5 wind parameters is studied for a case in 2016. It is shown that the prevailing winds and DT amplitudes and phases of both datasets can be simply linked together, but that the ERA5 SDT amplitudes are significantly underestimated at the top model levels of the ERA5 reanalysis project.     

Temperature and altitude of the polar mesopause in summer

A review and summary of 60 in situ experiments is provided which determined the temperature and altitude of the mesopause north of 58°N latitude during the summer months of May through August. These experiments employed 4 experimental techniques; acoustic grenades, rigid and inflatable falling spheres, and Pitot-static tubes. Excellent agreement is found among the results obtained from different techniques. During June and July the average mesopause temperature drops below 130 K, the average mesopause altitude is 88.5 km. The climatological tables of CIRA 1986 indicate, however, a mean mesopause temperature of approximately 140 K at 91 km for corresponding geophysical conditions.     

Schumann resonance frequency and conductivity in the nighttime ionosphere of Mars: A source for lightning

We have solved the Maxwellian equations of electromagnetic waves which oscillate within the cavity formed in the lower ionosphere of Mars between 0 and 70?km. The electrical conductivity and Schumann Resonance (SR) frequencies are calculated in the lower ionosphere of Mars, in the presence of a major dust storm that occurred in Martian Year (MY) 25 at low latitude region (25°–35°S). It is found that the atmospheric conductivity reduced by one to two orders of magnitude in the presence of a dust storm. It represents a small dust layer at about 25–30?km altitudes where lightning can occur. We also found that the SR frequencies peak at?～18?km with values 19.9, 34.5 and 48.8?Hz for the modes l?=?1, 2 and 3, respectively, in the non-homogeneous medium. Our results indicate that practical or measurable values of SR are dependent on the altitudes.     

Seasonal,annual, and interannual variability in MLT quasi-two-day waves over the low-latitude region Kolhapur (16.8°N; 74.2°E)

This study presents the quasi-two-day wave (Q2DW) characteristics of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region obtained by taking hourly mean values of horizontal wind velocities for 4? years (August 2013–July 2017) through continuous measurements using a medium-frequency (MF) radar (operating frequency – 1.98?MHz) located at the low-latitude Indian station Kolhapur (16.8°N; 74.2°E). The MF radar located at Kolhapur was upgraded in 2013, and these results of Q2DW have been reported for the first time after upgrading. The present study investigated variability in seasonal, annual, interannual, and solar indices of Q2DWs traveling in zonal (EW) and meridional (NS) components in the MLT region. The Q2DW activity is observed to be stronger during austral summer (January–February) (EW?=?～5?m/s and NS?=?～8–10?m/s) than during boreal summer (June–July) (EW = ～5 m/s and NS = ～6–8?m/s). The Q2DW amplitudes are larger in the meridional component than in the zonal one. A strong semiannual oscillation (SAO) has been observed in Q2DWs, with peak during January–February and June–July. In addition, small enhancement is seen in meridional Q2DW in October (～5–6?m/s). It is observed that the entire spectrum (40–60?h) measured between 86 and 94?km contributes to the SAO amplitudes during January–February and June–July, whereas the waves measured between 42?h and 52?h contribute to enhancement in October similar to that reported elsewhere. In general, the Q2DW amplitude shows large interannual variability. The easterlies developed in the global circulation model in Northern hemisphere during May intensify up to around summer solstice. Q2DW activity peaks during westerly shear zone and intensifies with time at a lower thermospheric altitude (above 90?km). Small positive correlations (r?=?0.2 for sunspot number and r?=?0.1 for 10.7?cm solar flux) have been observed between Q2DW amplitudes and solar activity.