scholarly journals Annual and semiannual variations in the ionospheric F2-layer. I. Modelling

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 927-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Zou ◽  
H. Rishbeth ◽  
I. C. F. Müller-Wodarg ◽  
A. D. Aylward ◽  
G. H. Millward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Nitrogen ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Field Configuration ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Vibrationally Excited ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Hemisphere Difference ◽  
Semiannual Variation ◽  
Layer I ◽  
Magnetic Poles

Abstract. Annual, seasonal and semiannual variations of F2-layer electron density (NmF2) and height (hmF2) have been compared with the coupled thermosphere-ionosphere-plasmasphere computational model (CTIP), for geomagnetically quiet conditions. Compared with results from ionosonde data from midlatitudes, CTIP reproduces quite well many observed features of NmF2, such as the dominant winter maxima at high midlatitudes in longitude sectors near the magnetic poles, the equinox maxima in sectors remote from the magnetic poles and at lower latitudes generally, and the form of the month-to-month variations at latitudes between about 60°N and 50°S. CTIP also reproduces the seasonal behaviour of NmF2 at midnight and the summer-winter changes of hmF2. Some features of the F2-layer, not reproduced by the present version of CTIP, are attributed to processes not included in the modelling. Examples are the increased prevalence of the winter maxima of noon NmF2 at higher solar activity, which may be a consequence of the increase of F2-layer loss rate in summer by vibrationally excited molecular nitrogen, and the semiannual variation in hmF2, which may be due to tidal effects. An unexpected feature of the computed distributions of NmF2 is an east-west hemisphere difference, which seems to be linked to the geomagnetic field configuration. Physical discussion is reserved to the companion paper by Rishbeth et al.Key words: Atmospheric composition and structure (thermosphere-composition and chemistry) - Ionosphere (mid-latitude ionosphere; modelling and forecasting)

scholarly journals Vertical circulation and thermospheric composition: a modelling study

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 794-805 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Rishbeth ◽  
I. C. F. Müller-Wodarg
Keyword(s):  
Concentration Ratio ◽  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Molecular Nitrogen ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Vertical Circulation ◽  
Energy Inputs ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Vertical Distributions ◽  
Summer Hemisphere

Abstract. The coupled thermosphere-ionosphere-plasmasphere model CTIP is used to study the global three-dimensional circulation and its effect on neutral composition in the midlatitude F-layer. At equinox, the vertical air motion is basically up by day, down by night, and the atomic oxygen/molecular nitrogen [O/N2] concentration ratio is symmetrical about the equator. At solstice there is a summer-to-winter flow of air, with downwelling at subauroral latitudes in winter that produces regions of large [O/N2] ratio. Because the thermospheric circulation is influenced by the high-latitude energy inputs, which are related to the geometry of the Earth's magnetic field, the latitude of the downwelling regions varies with longitude. The downwelling regions give rise to large F2-layer electron densities when they are sunlit, but not when they are in darkness, with implications for the distribution of seasonal and semiannual variations of the F2-layer. It is also found that the vertical distributions of O and N2 may depart appreciably from diffusive equilibrium at heights up to about 160 km, especially in the summer hemisphere where there is strong upwelling. Atmospheric composition and structure (thermosphere · composition and chemistry) · Ionosphere (ionosphere · atmosphere interactions)

scholarly journals Semiannual and annual variations in the height of the ionospheric F2-peak

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Rishbeth ◽  
K. J. F. Sedgemore-Schulthess ◽  
T. Ulich
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Semiannual Variation ◽  
Quiet Day

Abstract. Ionosonde data from sixteen stations are used to study the semiannual and annual variations in the height of the ionospheric F2-peak, hmF2. The semiannual variation, which peaks shortly after equinox, has an amplitude of about 8 km at an average level of solar activity (10.7 cm flux = 140 units), both at noon and midnight. The annual variation has an amplitude of about 11 km at northern midlatitudes, peaking in early summer; and is larger at southern stations, where it peaks in late summer. Both annual and semiannual amplitudes increase with increasing solar activity by day, but not at night. The semiannual variation in hmF2 is unrelated to the semiannual variation of the peak electron density NmF2, and is not reproduced by the CTIP and TIME-GCM computational models of the quiet-day thermosphere and ionosphere. The semiannual variation in hmF2 is approximately "isobaric", in that its amplitude corresponds quite well to the semiannual variation in the height of fixed pressure-levels in the thermosphere, as represented by the MSIS empirical model. The annual variation is not "isobaric". The annual mean of hmF2 increases with solar 10.7 cm flux, both by night and by day, on average by about 0.45 km/flux unit, rather smaller than the corresponding increase of height of constant pressure-levels in the MSIS model. The discrepancy may be due to solar-cycle variations of thermospheric winds. Although geomagnetic activity, which affects thermospheric density and temperature and therefore hmF2 also, is greatest at the equinoxes, this seems to account for less than half the semiannual variation of hmF2. The rest may be due to a semiannual variation of tidal and wave energy transmitted to the thermosphere from lower levels in the atmosphere.Key words: Atmospheric composition and structure (thermosphere - composition and chemistry) - Ionosphere (mid-latitude ionosphere)

scholarly journals Seasonal variations of thermospheric mass density at dawn/dusk from GOCE observations

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 489-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Libin Weng ◽  
Jiuhou Lei ◽  
Eelco Doornbos ◽  
Hanxian Fang ◽  
Xiankang Dou
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
High Amplitude ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Semiannual Variation

Abstract. Thermospheric mass densities from the GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) satellite for Sun-synchronous orbits between 83.5∘ S and 83.5∘ N, normalized to 270 km during 2009–2013, have been used to develop an empirical mass density model at dawn/dusk local solar time (LST) sectors based on the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) method. The main results of this study are that (1) the dawn densities peak in the polar regions, but the dusk densities maximize in the equatorial regions; (2) the relative seasonal variations to the annual mean have similar patterns across all latitudes regardless of solar activity conditions; (3) the seasonal density variations show obvious hemispheric asymmetry, with large amplitudes in the Southern Hemisphere; (4) both amplitude and phase of the seasonal variations have strong latitudinal and solar activity dependences, with high amplitude for the annual variation at higher latitudes and semiannual variation at lower latitudes; (5) the annual asymmetry and effect of the Sun–Earth distance vary with latitude and solar activity. Keywords. Atmospheric composition and structure (pressure, density, and temperature)

scholarly journals Annual and semiannual variations in the ionospheric F2-layer: II. Physical discussion

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 945-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Rishbeth ◽  
I. C. F. Müller-Wodarg ◽  
L. Zou ◽  
T. J. Fuller-Rowell ◽  
G. H. Millward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Zenith Angle ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Auroral Oval ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Molecular Ratio ◽  
Angle Effect ◽  
Magnetic Poles

Abstract. The companion paper by Zou et al. shows that the annual and semiannual variations in the peak F2-layer electron density (NmF2) at midlatitudes can be reproduced by a coupled thermosphere-ionosphere computational model (CTIP), without recourse to external influences such as the solar wind, or waves and tides originating in the lower atmosphere. The present work discusses the physics in greater detail. It shows that noon NmF2 is closely related to the ambient atomic/molecular concentration ratio, and suggests that the variations of NmF2 with geographic and magnetic longitude are largely due to the geometry of the auroral ovals. It also concludes that electric fields play no important part in the dynamics of the midlatitude thermosphere. Our modelling leads to the following picture of the global three-dimensional thermospheric circulation which, as envisaged by Duncan, is the key to explaining the F2-layer variations. At solstice, the almost continuous solar input at high summer latitudes drives a prevailing summer-to-winter wind, with upwelling at low latitudes and throughout most of the summer hemisphere, and a zone of downwelling in the winter hemisphere, just equatorward of the auroral oval. These motions affect thermospheric composition more than do the alternating day/night (up-and-down) motions at equinox. As a result, the thermosphere as a whole is more molecular at solstice than at equinox. Taken in conjunction with the well-known relation of F2-layer electron density to the atomic/molecular ratio in the neutral air, this explains the F2-layer semiannual effect in NmF2 that prevails at low and middle latitudes. At higher midlatitudes, the seasonal behaviour depends on the geographic latitude of the winter downwelling zone, though the effect of the composition changes is modified by the large solar zenith angle at midwinter. The zenith angle effect is especially important in longitudes far from the magnetic poles. Here, the downwelling occurs at high geographic latitudes, where the zenith angle effect becomes overwhelming and causes a midwinter depression of electron density, despite the enhanced atomic/molecular ratio. This leads to a semiannual variation of NmF2. A different situation exists in winter at longitudes near the magnetic poles, where the downwelling occurs at relatively low geographic latitudes so that solar radiation is strong enough to produce large values of NmF2. This circulation-driven mechanism provides a reasonably complete explanation of the observed pattern of F2 layer annual and semiannual quiet-day variations. Key words: Atmospheric composition and structure (thermosphere-composition and chemistry) - Ionosphere (mid-latitude ionosphere; modelling and forecasting)

scholarly journals New electron energy transfer rates for vibrational excitation of N<sub>2</sub>

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Pavlov
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
Electron Energy ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Vibrational Excitation ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Vibrationally Excited ◽  
Transfer Rates ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Production Frequency ◽  
Analytical Expressions

Abstract. In this paper we present the results of a study of the electron cooling rate, the production rates of vibrationally excited N2(v), and the production frequency of the N2 vibrational quanta arising from the collisions of electrons with unexcited N2(0) and vibrationally excited N2(1) molecules as functions of the electron temperature. The electron energy transfer rates for vibrational excitation of N2 have been calculated and fit to analytical expressions by use of the revised vibrationally excited N2 cross sections. These new analytical expressions are available to the researcher for quick reference and accurate computer modeling with a minimum of calculations.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure · Thermosphere · Ionosphere · Modeling and forecasting

scholarly journals Variations of thermospheric composition according to AE-C data and CTIP modelling

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Rishbeth ◽  
R. A. Heelis ◽  
I. C. F. Müller-Wodarg
Keyword(s):  
Concentration Ratio ◽  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Molecular Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
The North ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Low Latitudes ◽  
Abstract Data

Abstract. Data from the Atmospheric Explorer C satellite, taken at middle and low latitudes in 1975-1978, are used to study latitudinal and month-by-month variations of thermospheric composition. The parameter used is the "compositional Ρ-parameter", related to the neutral atomic oxygen/molecular nitrogen concentration ratio. The midlatitude data show strong winter maxima of the atomic/molecular ratio, which account for the "seasonal anomaly" of the ionospheric F2-layer. When the AE-C data are compared with the empirical MSIS model and the computational CTIP ionosphere-thermosphere model, broadly similar features are found, but the AE-C data give a more molecular thermosphere than do the models, especially CTIP. In particular, CTIP badly overestimates the winter/summer change of composition, more so in the south than in the north. The semiannual variations at the equator and in southern latitudes, shown by CTIP and MSIS, appear more weakly in the AE-C data. Magnetic activity produces a more molecular thermosphere at high latitudes, and at mid-latitudes in summer. Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (thermosphere – composition and chemistry)

scholarly journals On the fast movements of the thermosphere: an interpretation

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 1651-1656
Author(s):  
J. Lilensten ◽  
P. O. Amblard
Keyword(s):  
Rotation Velocity ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Neutral Wind ◽  
Typical Size ◽  
F Region ◽  
Optical Experiment ◽  
Atmospheric Composition And Structure ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Eiscat Radar

Abstract. We examine the oscillations of the meridional neutral wind in the F region as seen by the EISCAT radar. We propose an interpretation in term of eddies (tourbillons) of typical size of a few tens to a few hundreds of kilometers. The observed rotation velocity is a few hundreds of meters per second. We suggest that the tourbillons are a common feature of thermospheric movements. We propose an optical experiment to check the validity of this assumption.Key words: Atmospheric composition and structure (thermosphere · composition and chemistry) · Ionosphere (ionosphere · atmosphere interactions)

scholarly journals Rarefied gas flows through meshes and implications for atmospheric measurements

2001 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 563-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gumbel
Keyword(s):  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Rarefied Gas ◽  
Direct Simulation Monte Carlo ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Gas Flows ◽  
Atmospheric Measurements ◽  
Rarefied Gas Flows ◽  
Flow Disturbances ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Compression Effects

Abstract. Meshes are commonly used as part of instruments for in situ atmospheric measurements. This study analyses the aerodynamic effect of meshes by means of wind tunnel experiments and numerical simulations. Based on the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method, a simple mesh parameterisation is described and applied to a number of representative flow conditions. For open meshes freely exposed to the flow, substantial compression effects are found both upstream and downstream of the mesh. Meshes attached to close instrument structures, on the other hand, cause only minor flow disturbances. In an accompanying paper, the approach developed here is applied to the quantitative analysis of rocket-borne density measurements in the middle atmosphere.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (instruments and techniques; middle atmosphere – composition and chemistry)

scholarly journals The calculation of TV, VT, VV, VV' − rate coefficients for the collisions of the main atmospheric components

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 838-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Kirillov
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Energy Transfer ◽  
Vibrational Energy ◽  
Relaxation Times ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Rate Coefficients ◽  
Frequency Change ◽  
Vibrational Energy Transfer ◽  
Ion Chemistry ◽  
Vibrationally Excited

Abstract. The first-order perturbation approximation is applied to calculate the rate coefficients of vibrational energy transfer in collisions involving vibrationally excited molecules in the absence of non-adiabatic transitions. The factors of molecular attraction, oscillator frequency change, anharmonicity, 3-dimensionality and quasiclassical motion have been taken into account in the approximation. The analytical expressions presented have been normalized on experimental data of VT-relaxation times in N2 and O2 to obtain the steric factors and the extent of repulsive exchange potentials in collisions N2-N2 and O2-O2. The approach was applied to calculate the rate coefficients of vibrational-vibrational energy transfer in the collisions N2-N2, O2-O2 and N2-O2. It is shown that there is good agreement between our calculations and experimental data for all cases of energy transfer considered.Key words. Ionosphere (Auroral ionosphere; ion chemistry and composition). Atmospheric composition and structure (Aciglow and aurora).

scholarly journals Kinetic extraordinary-mode eigenvalue equation for relativistic nonneutral electron flow in planar geometry

1989 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald C. Davidson ◽  
Han S. Uhm
Keyword(s):  
Electron Flow ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Field Configuration ◽  
Outer Edge ◽  
Eigenvalue Equation ◽  
Planar Geometry ◽  
Canonical Momentum ◽  
Stability Properties ◽  
Long Wavelength

Use is made of the Vlasov–Maxwell equations to derive an eigenvalue equation describing the extraordinary–mode stability properties of relativistic, non-neutral electron flow in high-voltage diodes. The analysis is based on well-established theoretical techniques developed in basic studies of the kinetic equilibrium and stability properties of nonneutral plasmas characterized by intense self fields. The formal eigenvalue equation is derived for extraordinary-mode flute perturbations in a planar diode. As a specific example, perturbations are considered about the choice of self-consistent Vlasov equilibrium , where . is the electron density at the cathode (x = 0), H is the energy, and Py is the canonical momentum in the Y-direction (the direction of the equilibrium electron flow). As a limiting case, the planar eigenvalue equation is further simplified for low-frequency long-wavelength perturbations with |ω − kvd, ≪ ωυ where and and ⋯c = eB0/mc, and B0ệz is the applied magnetic field in the vacuum region xb < x ≤ d. Here, the outer edge of the electron layer is located at x = xb; ω is complex oscillation frequency; k is the wavenumber in the y-direction; ωυ is the characteristic betatron frequency for oscillations in the x′-orbit about the equilibrium value x′ = x0 = xb/2; and Vd is the average electron flow velocity in the y-direction at x = x0. In simplifying the orbit integrals, a model is adopted in which the eigenfunction approximated by , where x′(t′) is the x′-orbit in the equilibrium field configuration. A detailed analysis of the resulting eigenvalue equation for , derived for low-frequency long-wavelength perturbations, is the subject of a companion paper.

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