The trouble with thermospheric vertical winds: Geomagnetic, seasonal and solar cycle dependence at high latitudes

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

19

Annual Variations, Arctic Regions, Diurnal Variations, Geomagnetism, Magnetic Effects, Solar Cycles, Thermosphere, Vertical Air Currents, Wind Velocity, Doppler Effect, Error Analysis, Fabry-Perot Interferometers

Scientific paper

The vertical wind component is frequently used to determine the zero-velocity baseline for measurements of thermospheric winds by Fabry-Perot and other interferometers. For many of the upper atmospheric emission lines from which Doppler shifts are determined, for example for the OI 630 nm emission, available laboratory sources are not convenient for long-term use at remote automatic observatories. Therefore, the assumption that the long-term average vertical wind is zero is frequently used to create a baseline from which the Doppler shifts corresponding with the line-of-sight wind from other observing directions can then be calculated. A data base consisting of 1242 nights of thermospheric wind measurements from Kiruna (63 deg N, 20 deg E), a high-latitude site, has been analyzed. There are many interesting short-term fluctuations of the vertical wind which will be discussed in future papers. However, the mean vertical wind at Kiruna also has a systematic variation dependent on geomagnetic activity, season and solar cycle. This means that the assumption that the average value of the vertical wind is zero over the observing period cannot be used in isolation to determine the instrument reference or baseline. Despite this note of caution, even within the auroral oval, the assumption of a zero mean vertical wind can be used to derive a baseline which is probably valid within 5 m/s during periods of quiet geomagnetic activity (K(sub p) less than 2), near winter solstice. During other seasons, and during periods of elevated geomagnetic activity, a systematic error in excess of 10 m/s may occur.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The trouble with thermospheric vertical winds: Geomagnetic, seasonal and solar cycle dependence at high latitudes does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The trouble with thermospheric vertical winds: Geomagnetic, seasonal and solar cycle dependence at high latitudes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The trouble with thermospheric vertical winds: Geomagnetic, seasonal and solar cycle dependence at high latitudes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1061156

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.