Lidar observations of neutral Fe layers and fast gravity waves in the thermosphere (110-155 km) at McMurdo (77.8°S, 166.7°E), Antarctica

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Atmospheric Composition And Structure: Thermosphere: Composition And Chemistry, Atmospheric Processes: Middle Atmosphere Dynamics (0341, 0342), Atmospheric Processes: Remote Sensing (4337), Atmospheric Processes: Thermospheric Dynamics (0358), Radio Science: Ionospheric Physics (1240, 2400)

Scientific paper

We report the first lidar observations of neutral Fe layers with gravity wave signatures in the thermosphere from 110-155 km at McMurdo, Antarctica in May 2011. The thermospheric Fe densities are low, ranging from ˜200 cm-3 at 120 km to ˜20 cm-3 at 150 km. The measured temperatures from 115-135 km are considerably warmer than MSIS and appear to be related to Joule heating enhanced by aurora. The observed waves originate in the lower atmosphere and show periods of 1.5-2 h through 77-155 km. The vertical wavelength increases from ˜13 km at 115 km to ˜70 km at 150 km altitude. These wave characteristics are strikingly similar to the traveling ionospheric disturbances caused by internal gravity waves. The thermospheric Fe layers are likely formed through the neutralization of vertically converged Fe+ layers that descend in height following the gravity wave downward phase progression.

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

Lidar observations of neutral Fe layers and fast gravity waves in the thermosphere (110-155 km) at McMurdo (77.8°S, 166.7°E), Antarctica 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 Lidar observations of neutral Fe layers and fast gravity waves in the thermosphere (110-155 km) at McMurdo (77.8°S, 166.7°E), Antarctica, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lidar observations of neutral Fe layers and fast gravity waves in the thermosphere (110-155 km) at McMurdo (77.8°S, 166.7°E), Antarctica will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1608818

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