Physics
Scientific paper
Jun 1987
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1987jgr....92.6023l&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 92, June 1, 1987, p. 6023-6043.
Physics
19
Ionospheric Electron Density, Propagation Modes, Thermosphere, Wave Propagation, Continuity Equation, Drag Coefficients, Vertical Distribution, Wind Profiles
Scientific paper
The linearized momentum, energy, and continuity equations for the thermosphere can be reduced to a form that gives the vertical structure for each horizontal wave mode. The vertical structure equation can be described in terms of the normal modes, or eigenmodes, of the thermosphere. The latter are obtained by using a 27-layer model that includes a realistic temperature profile and the effects of the Lorentz force, viscosity, and heat conduction. The normal modes have one real eigenfrequency for every two complex conjugate eigenfrequency values. The real modes have a dominant rotational wind component and are nonpropagating. The complex modes have comparable divergent and rotational wind components. The complex eigenvalues give vertically propagating modes, primarily associated with the transient response to forcing, and are significantly affected by the dissipation in the upper E region and F region. Results show that the rotational wind component dominates in the steady state when the forcing is due to the two-cell convection pattern at high latitudes and that the normal modes explain the large shears and large winds speeds that are typically observed in the high-latitude E region. The vertical energy flux for the normal modes is also calculated. The results show that the flux is upward above 130 km but downward in the lower E region for the total solution. The downward energy flux is a contribution from the real eigenmode structure.
Larsen Mark F.
Mikkelsen Ib Steen
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