Solar zenith angle dependencies of F1-layer, <i>Nm</i>F2 negative disturbance, and G-condition occurrence probabilities

Experimental data acquired by the Ionospheric Digital Database of the National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder, Colorado, from 1957 to 1990, are used to study the dependence of the G condition, F1-layer, and NmF2 negative disturbance occurrence probabilities on the solar zenith angle during summer, winter, spring, and autumn months in latitude range 1 (between - 10° and + 10° of the geomagnetic latitude, 8), in latitude range 2 (10° < |F| < 30°), in latitude range 3 (30° < |j| < 45°, 30° < |F| < 45°), in latitude range 4 (45° < |j| < 60°, 45° < |F| < 60°), and in latitude range 5 (60° < |F| < 90°), where j is the geographic latitude. Our calculations show that the G condition is more likely to occur during the first half of a day than during the second half of a day, at all latitudes during all seasons for the same value of the solar zenith angle. The F1-layer occurrence probability is larger in the first half of a day in comparison with that in the second half of a day for the same value of the solar zenith angle in latitude range 1 for all seasons, while the F1-layer occurrence probability is approximately the same for the same solar zenith angle before and after noon in latitude ranges 4 and 5. The F1-layer and G condition are more commonly formed near midday than close to post sunrise or pre-sunset. The chance that the day-time F1-layer and G condition will be formed is greater in summer than in winter at the given solar zenith angle in latitude ranges 2–5, while the F1-layer occurrence probability is greater in winter than in summer for any solar zenith angle in latitude range 1. The calculated occurrence probability of the NmF2 weak negative disturbances reaches its maximum and minimum values during daytime and night-time conditions, respectively, and the average night-time value of this probability is less than that by day for all seasons in all studied latitude regions. It is shown that the NmF2 normal, strong, and very strong negative disturbances are more frequent on average at night than by day in latitude ranges 1 and 2 for all seasons, reaching their maximum and minimum occurrence probability values at night and by day, respectively. This conclusion is also correct for all other studied latitude regions during winter months, except for the NmF2 normal and strong negative disturbances in latitude range 5. A difference in the dependence of the strong and very strong NmF2 negative disturbance percentage occurrences on the solar zenith angle is found between latitude ranges 1 and 2. Our results provide evidence that the daytime dependence of the G condition occurrence probability on the solar zenith angle is determined mainly by the dependence of the F1-layer occurrence probability on the solar zenith angle in the studied latitude regions for winter months, in latitude range 2 for all seasons, and in latitude ranges 4 and 5 for spring, summer, and autumn months. The solar zenith angle trend in the probability of the G condition occurrence in latitude range 3 arises in the main from the solar zenith angle trend in the F1-layer occurrence probability. The solar zenith angle trend in the probabilities of strong and very strong NmF2 negative disturbances counteracts the identified solar zenith angle trend in the probability of the G condition occurrence.Key words. Ionosphere (ionospheric disturbances, ionosphere-atmosphere interactions, ion chemistry and composition)

An interpretation of ion composition diurnal variation deduced from EISCAT observations

Physical interpretation is made of the O+/Ne diurnal variations in summer, revealed by Litvine et al. (1998) from the EISCAT observations. It is shown that the observed anti-correlation between the Z50 parameter, corresponding to the transition region between 50% of molecular and atomic ions, and the width Dz of the transition, defined as the altitude width between 10% and 90% of the O+/Ne ratio, can be reproduced in model calculations and the result of different recombination laws (quadratic in the lower and linear in the upper ionosphere) as well as diurnal variations in the photo-ionization rates.Key words.Ionosphere (ion chemistry and composition; modeling and forecasting)

<i>Letter to the Editor</i>Effects of hot oxygen in the ionosphere: <i>TRANSCAR</i> simulations

Recent studies of the ion energy balance in the mid-latitude ionosphere have led to the suggestion that hot neutral atomic oxygen may play a significant role; the presence of a population of hot O could explain some of the problems met in balancing the ion energy budget for Incoherent Scatter (IS) observations. The aim of the present study is to look at such effects by using numerical simulation. The TRANSCAR model is a time-dependent, 13-moment ionosphere model developed for high latitude studies. It was first adapted for mid-latitude conditions. In a first step the model was calibrated and cross-checked with St. Santin IS measurements for the winter case of 27 January 1972 around noon using, in particular, the MSIS neutral atmosphere model. This provides a reference diurnal variation of the ionosphere. The second step investigated the influence of a maxwellian population of hot neutral atomic oxygen introduced in addition to the standard neutral atmosphere. The paper describes the initial comparison between the model and St. Santin IS data, and then the effects induced by a hot atomic oxygen population.Key words. Ionosphere (ionosphere-atmosphere interactions; ion chemistry and composition; mid-latitude ionosphere)

Sporadic Ca and Ca⁺ layers at mid-latitudes: Simultaneous observations and implications for their formation

We report on the observations of 188 sporadic layers of either Ca atoms and/or Ca ions that we have observed during 112 nights of lidar soundings of Ca, and 58 nights of Ca+ soundings, at Kühlungsborn, Germany (54° N, 12° E). The Ca+ soundings have been performed simultaneously and in a common volume with the Ca soundings by two separate lidars. Correlations between sporadic neutral and ionized metal layers are demonstrated through four case studies. A systematic study of the variations of occurrence of sporadic Ca and Ca+ layers reveals that neutral and ionized Ca layers are not as closely correlated as expected earlier: (a) The altitude distribution shows the simultaneous occurrence of both sporadic Ca and Ca+ layers to be most likely only in the narrow altitude range between 90 and 95 km. Above that region, in the lower thermosphere, the sporadic ion layers are much more frequent than atom layers. Below 90 km only very few sporadic layers have been observed; (b) The seasonal variation of sporadic Ca layers exhibits a minimum of occurrence in summer, while sporadic Ca+ layers do not show a significant seasonal variation (only the dense Ca+ layers appear to have a maximum in summer). At mid-latitudes sporadic Ca layers are more frequent than sporadic layers of other atmospheric metals like Na or K. For the explanation of our observations new formation mechanisms are discussed.Key words. Ionosphere (ion chemistry and composition; ionosphere-atmosphere interactions; mid-latitude ionosphere)

Interpretation of ionospheric F-region structures in the vicinity of ionisation troughs observed by satellite radio tomography

Tomographic images of the spatial distribution of electron density in the ionospheric F-region are presented from the Russian-American Tomography Experiment (RATE) in November 1993 as well as from campaigns carried out in northern Scandinavia in November 1995 and in Russia in April 1990. The reconstructions selected display the ionisation troughs above the tomographic chains of receivers during geomagnetically quiet and disturbed periods. Two mathematical models of the high-latitude ionosphere developed in the Polar Geophysical Institute have been applied for interpretation of the observed tomographic images.Key words. Ionosphere (electric fields and currents; ion chemistry and composition; plasma convection)

A self-consistent estimate of O⁺ + N₂ − rate coefficient and total EUV solar flux with λ < 1050 Å using EISCAT observations

There are differences between existing models of solar EUV with λ < 1050 Å and between laboratory measurements of the O+ + N2 – reaction rate coefficient, both parameters being crucial for the F2-region modeling. Therefore, indirect aeronomic estimates of these parameters may be useful for qualifying the existing EUV models and the laboratory measured O+ + N2 – rate coefficient. A modified self-consistent method for daytime F2-region modeling developed by Mikhailov and Schlegel was applied to EISCAT observations (32 quiet summer and equinoctial days) to estimate the set of main aeronomic parameters. Three laboratory measured temperature dependencies for the O+ + N2 – rate coefficient were used in our calculations to find self-consistent factors both for this rate coefficient and for the solar EUV flux model from Nusinov. Independent of the rate coefficient used, the calculated values group around the temperature dependence recently measured by Hierl et al. in the 850–1400 K temperature range. Therefore, this rate coefficient may be considered as the most preferable and is recommended for aeronomic calculations. The calculated EUV flux shows a somewhat steeper dependence on solar activity than both, the Nusinov and the EUVAC models predict. In practice both EUV models may be recommended for the F2-region electron density calculations with the total EUV flux shifted by ±25% for the EUVAC and Nusinov models, correspondingly.Key words: Ionosphere (ion chemistry and composition; ionosphere atmosphere interactions; modeling and forecasting)

Negative ions in the auroral mesosphere during a PCA event around sunset

This is a study of the negative ion chemistry in the mesosphere above Tromsø using a number of EISCAT observations of high energy proton precipitation events during the last solar maximum, and in particular around sunset on 23 October, 1989. In these conditions it is possible to look at the relative importance of the various photodetachment and photodissociation processes controlling the concentration of negative ions. The data analysed are from several UHF GEN11 determinations of the ion-plasma ACF together with the pseudo zero-lag estimate of the `raw' electron density, at heights between 55 km and 85 km, at less than 1 km resolution. The power profiles from the UHF are combined with the 55-ion Sodankylä model to obtain consistent estimates of the electron density, the negative ion concentrations, and the average ion mass with height. The neutral concentrations and ion temperature are given by the MSIS90 model. These parameters are then used to compare the calculated widths of the ion-line with the GEN11 determinations. The ion-line spectrum gives information on the effects of negative ions below 70 km where they are dominant; the spectral width is almost a direct measure of the relative abundance of negative ions.Key words. Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; ion chemistry and composition; particle precipitation).

The morphology of oxygen greenline dayglow emission

In this study, the morphology of the oxygen greenline dayglow emission is presented. The volume emission rate profiles are obtained by using Solomon's glow model. The glow model is updated in terms of recent cross sections, reaction rate coefficients and quantum yield of greenline emission. Throughout most of the thermosphere the modelled and observed emission rates are in reasonably good agreement. In the region between 98 and 120 km, the modelled emission rates are substantially higher (about a factor of 1.7) than the observed emission rates. This discrepancy is discussed in terms of scaling of solar fluxes which accounts the variation of solar activity for the day on which calculations are made. The modelled morphology of greenline emission is compared with those cases where WINDII data is available. The modelled and observed morphology is in reasonably good agreement at most of the latitudes above 120 km. In the mesosphere the qualitative nature of morphology is very similar to those of WINDII observation except the modelled emission rates are about a factor of 1.7 higher than the observed emission rates.Keywords. Ionosphere (ion chemistry and composition; modeling and forecasting; solar radiation and cosmic ray effects).

Estimation of atomic oxygen concentrations from measured intensities of infrared nitric oxide radiation

The vibrational distribution of nitric oxide in the polar ionosphere computed according to the one-dimensional non-steady model of chemical and vibrational kinetics of the upper atmosphere has been compared with experimental data from rocket measurement. Some input parameters of the model have been varied to obtain the least-averaged deviation of the calculated population from experimental one. It is shown that the least deviation of our calculations from experimental measurements depends sufficiently on both the surprisal parameter of the production reaction of metastable atomic nitrogen with molecular oxygen and the profile of atomic oxygen concentration. The best agreement with the MSIS-83 profile was obtained for the value of surprisal parameter corresponding to recent laboratory estimations. The measured depression of level v=2 is obtained in the calculation that uses sufficiently increased concentrations of atomic oxygen. It is pointed out that similar measurements of infrared radiation intensities could be used to estimate the atomic oxygen concentrations during auroral disturbances of the upper atmosphere.Keywords. Atmospheric composition and structure (airglow and aurora); Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; ion chemistry and composition).

Anomalous electron density events in the quiet summer ionosphere at solar minimum over Millstone Hill

This study compares the observed behavior of the F region ionosphere over Millstone Hill with calculations from the IZMIRAN model for solar minimum for the geomagnetically quiet period 23-25 June 1986, when anomalously low values of hmF2(<200 km) were observed. We found that these low values of hmF2 (seen as a G condition on ionograms) exist in the ionosphere due to a decrease of production rates of oxygen ions resulting from low values of atomic oxygen density. Results show that determination of a G condition using incoherent scatter radar data is sensitive both to the true concentration of O+ relative to the molecular ions, and to the ion composition model assumed in the data reduction process. The increase in the O++ N 2 loss rate due to vibrationally excited N2 produces a reduction in NmF2 of typically 5-10% , but as large as 15% , bringing the model and data into better agreement. The effect of vibrationally excited NO+ ions on electron densities is negligible.Key words. Ionosphere (Ion chemistry and composition; Ionosphere-atmosphere interactions; Mid-latitude ionosphere).