The intensification of metallic layered phenomena above thunderstorms through the modulation of atmospheric tides

Abstract. We present a multi-instrument experiment to study the effects of tropospheric thunderstorms on the mesopause region and the lower ionosphere. The sodium (Na) lidar observation and the ionospheric observation by two digital ionospheric sounders are used to study the variation of the neutral metal atoms and metallic ions above thunderstorms. The enhanced ionospheric sporadic E layer with a downward tidal phase is observed followed by a subsequent intensification of neutral Na density with an increase of 600 cm−3 in the mesosphere. In addition, the Na neutral chemistry and ion-molecule chemistry reactions are considered in the Na chemistry model to simulate the dynamical and chemical coupling processes in the mesosphere and ionosphere above thunderstorms. The enhanced Na layer in the simulation using the ionospheric observation as input is in agreement with the Na lidar observation. We find that the intensification of metallic layered phenomena above thunderstorms is associated with the atmospheric tides, as a result of the troposphere-mesosphere-ionosphere coupling.

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The intensification of metallic layered phenomena above thunderstorms through the modulation of atmospheric tides

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-54450-1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bingkun Yu ◽

Xianghui Xue ◽

Chengling Kuo ◽

Gaopeng Lu ◽

Christopher J. Scott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Ionosphere ◽

Atmospheric Tides ◽

Metallic Ions ◽

Number Density ◽

Mesopause Region ◽

Lidar Observation ◽

Metal Atoms ◽

Chemical Coupling ◽

Coupling Processes ◽

Neutral Metal

AbstractWe present a multi-instrument experiment to study the effects of tropospheric thunderstorms on the mesopause region and the lower ionosphere. Sodium (Na) lidar and ionospheric observations by two digital ionospheric sounders are used to study the variation in the neutral metal atoms and metallic ions above thunderstorms. An enhanced ionospheric sporadic E layer with a downward tidal phase is observed followed by a subsequent intensification of neutral Na number density with an increase of 600 cm−3 in the mesosphere. In addition, the Na neutral chemistry and ion-molecule chemistry are considered in a Na chemistry model to simulate the dynamical and chemical coupling processes in the mesosphere and ionosphere above thunderstorms. The enhanced Na layer in the simulation obtained by using the ionospheric observation as input is in agreement with the Na lidar observation. We find that the intensification of metallic layered phenomena above thunderstorms is associated with the atmospheric tides, as a result of the troposphere-mesosphere-ionosphere coupling.

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First simulations of day-to-day variability of mid-latitude sporadic E layer structures

Earth Planets and Space ◽

10.1186/s40623-020-01299-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 72 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Satoshi Andoh ◽

Akinori Saito ◽

Hiroyuki Shinagawa ◽

Mitsumu K. Ejiri

Keyword(s):

Three Dimensional ◽

Lower Ionosphere ◽

Atmospheric Tides ◽

Ionospheric Model ◽

Radio Waves ◽

Metallic Ions ◽

Long Distance ◽

Distance Communication ◽

Sporadic E ◽

Realistic Information

Abstract We present the first simulations that successfully reproduce the day-to-day variability of the mid-latitude sporadic E ($$E_s$$ E s ) layers. $$E_s$$ E s layers appearing in the lower ionosphere have been extensively investigated to monitor and forecast their effects on long-distance communication by radio waves. Although it is widely accepted that the atmospheric tides are important in generating the $$E_s$$ E s layers, no simulations to date have reproduced the $$E_s$$ E s layers observed on a certain day. This is due to the lack of the combination of realistic information on the atmospheric tides in the lower ionosphere and a three-dimensional numerical ionospheric model that can simulate the precise transport of metallic ions. We developed a numerical ionospheric model coupled with the neutral winds from the GAIA (Ground-to-topside model of Atmosphere and Ionosphere for Aeronomy). The fundamental structures and the day-to-day variations of the $$E_s$$ E s layers observed by a $$\hbox {Ca}^+$$ Ca + lidar are well-reproduced in the simulations.

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Vertical coupling between the mesopause region and sporadic-E layer during equatorial counter electrojet events – A case study

Advances in Space Research ◽

10.1016/j.asr.2018.07.001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 62 (7) ◽

pp. 1787-1799

Author(s):

A. Ajesh ◽

T.K. Pant ◽

C. Vineeth ◽

N. Mridula ◽

K.K. Kumar

Keyword(s):

Mesopause Region ◽

Counter Electrojet ◽

Vertical Coupling ◽

Sporadic E Layer ◽

Sporadic E

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Artificial periodic irregularities, wave phenomena in the lower ionosphere, and the sporadic E layer

Radiophysics and Quantum Electronics ◽

10.1007/s11141-010-9210-3 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 69-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

N. V. Bakhmet’eva ◽

V. V. Belikovich ◽

M. N. Egereva ◽

A. V. Tolmacheva

Keyword(s):

Lower Ionosphere ◽

Sporadic E Layer ◽

Sporadic E ◽

Wave Phenomena

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Contribution of meteor flux in the occurrence of sporadic-E (Es) layers over the Arabian Peninsula

Annales Geophysicae ◽

10.5194/angeo-39-471-2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 471-478

Author(s):

Muhammad Mubasshir Shaikh ◽

Govardan Gopakumar ◽

Aisha Abdulla Al-owais ◽

Maryam Essa Sharif ◽

Ilias Fernini

Keyword(s):

Layered Structure ◽

Arabian Peninsula ◽

Lower Ionosphere ◽

Early Summer ◽

Upper Atmosphere ◽

Metallic Ions ◽

Metal Atoms ◽

Sporadic E ◽

Using Data ◽

Free Metal

Abstract. A sporadic-E (Es) layer is generally associated with a thin-layered structure present in the lower ionosphere, mostly consisting of metallic ions. This metallic ion layer is formed when meteors burn in the upper atmosphere, resulting in the deposition of free metal atoms and ions. Many studies have attributed the presence of the Es layer to the metallic ion layer, specifically when the layer is observed during the nighttime. Using data from a network of meteor monitoring towers and a collocated digital ionosonde radar near the Arabian Peninsula, in this paper, we report our observations of Es layer occurrences together with the meteor count. The trend of monthly averages of Es layer intensity shows a maximum in late spring and early summer months and a minimum in winter months, whereas the meteor counts were highest in winter months and lowest in spring and early summer months. This shows that the presence of the Es layer and the meteor counts have no correlation in time, both diurnally and seasonally. This leads us to conclude that the presence of meteors is not the main cause of the presence of the Es layer over the Arabian Peninsula.

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Sporadic E layer at mid-latitudes: average properties and influence of atmospheric tides

Annales Geophysicae ◽

10.5194/angeo-32-1427-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 32 (11) ◽

pp. 1427-1440 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

A. Pignalberi ◽

M. Pezzopane ◽

E. Zuccheretti

Keyword(s):

Diurnal Variation ◽

Atmospheric Tides ◽

Fast Fourier Transform Analysis ◽

June July August ◽

Solar Cycle 24 ◽

Sporadic E Layer ◽

Sporadic E ◽

Cycle 24 ◽

June July

Abstract. This paper describes a study of the daily variability shown by the main characteristics of the sporadic E (Es) layer, that is the top frequency (ftEs) and the lowest virtual height (h'Es). The study is based on ionograms recorded by the Advanced Ionospheric Sounder by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (AIS-INGV) ionosondes installed in the ionospheric stations at Rome (41.8° N, 12.5° E) and Gibilmanna (37.9° N, 14.0° E), Italy, during the summer (June, July, August and September) of 2013, a year falling in the ascending phase of solar cycle 24. The ftEs presents a diurnal variation characterized by two maxima, the first around noon is very well defined and the second in the evening/night is much less defined; the amplitude of both maxima decreases from June to September accompanied by a general decrease of the ftEs values which is more pronounced in the daytime than in the nighttime. h'Es also presents a diurnal variation characterized by two maxima but, unlike ftEs, these present the same amplitude which is independent from the considered month. Assuming that both ftEs and h'Es trends are influenced by the atmospheric tides, the height–time–intensity (HTI) technique was applied to deeply investigate how these waves control the Es dynamics. The HTI study, along with a fast Fourier transform analysis, show that a well-defined semidiurnal periodicity characterizes the Es layer dynamics most accurately in June and July, while in August and September the daytime semidiurnal periodicity becomes weaker and the role of the diurnal periodicity is consequently highlighted.

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Contribution of Meteor Flux in the Occurrence of Sporadic-E over Arabian Peninsula

10.5194/angeo-2020-74 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad Mubasshir Shaikh ◽

Govardan Gopakumar ◽

Aisha Abdulla Alowais ◽

Maryam Essa Sharif ◽

Ilias Fernini

Keyword(s):

Layered Structure ◽

Count Data ◽

Arabian Peninsula ◽

Lower Ionosphere ◽

Upper Atmosphere ◽

Metallic Ions ◽

Metal Atoms ◽

Sporadic E ◽

Using Data ◽

Free Metal

Abstract. Sporadic-E (Es) is generally associated with a thin-layered structure present in the lower ionosphere mostly consisted of metallic ions. This metallic ion layer is formed when meteors burn in the upper atmosphere resulting in the deposition of free metal atoms and ions. Many studies have attributed to the presence of Es due to metallic ion layer, specifically during the nighttime. Using data from a network of meteor monitoring towers and a collocated digital ionosonde radar near Arabian Peninsula, in this paper, we are reporting our observations of Es together with the meteor count. It has been observed that the presence of Es and the meteor count data have no correlation in time, both diurnally and seasonally, leading us to conclude that presence of meteors is not the main cause for the presence of Es over Arabian Peninsula.

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Sporadic E Layer with a Structure of Double Cusp in the Vertical Sounding Ionogram

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12091093 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 1093

Author(s):

Kamil M. Yusupov ◽

Nataliya V. Bakhmetieva

Keyword(s):

Lower Ionosphere ◽

Resonant Scattering ◽

Radio Waves ◽

Model Calculations ◽

Heating Facility ◽

Intermediate Layers ◽

E Region ◽

Type C ◽

Sporadic E Layer ◽

Sporadic E

In this study, we analyzed a large number of vertical sounding ionograms, obtained by the mid-latitude Cyclone ionosonde (55.85° N; 48.8° E) of Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, which operates in a rapid-run mode of ionograms (1 ionogram per minute). Ionograms with a sporadic E layer type c, which have an unusual double cusp on the trace from the sporadic layer, were found among them. We attempted to simulate this unusual double cusp trace shape. Model calculations were performed to clarify the reasons for the appearance of the double cusp and to determine the shape of the lower part of the E and Es layers. The simulation was performed by fitting the profile of the electron densities of the E and Es layers, calculating the virtual reflection heights based on the refractive index using the Appleton-Hartree formula, and comparing them with the virtual heights of the layers on the ionogram. An estimate of the half-thickness of the lower part of the Es-layer was obtained. The possible reasons for the appearance of a trace with a double cusp of the Es layer are discussed. We assumed that the possible reasons for this phenomenon were the stratification of the E layer, and the interaction between the E and F layers in the form of descending or intermediate layers and atmospheric wave propagation. As an illustration of these phenomena, examples of an intermediate (descending) sporadic E layer and stratification of the E region and the Es layer are given according to observations of the lower ionosphere. These examples were obtained through the resonant scattering of probe radio waves by artificial periodic irregularities (API technique) of the ionospheric plasma, performed on the SURA mid-latitude heating facility (56.1° N; 46.1° E). The scattering of probe radio waves on the APIs generated by the heating facility made it possible to study various phenomena in the Earth’s ionosphere.

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