Latitudinal variation in the ionospheric parameters: a Soviet-Indian experiment by simultaneous launchings

Coordinated ion-neutral composition and electron density measurements have been carried out over Thumba (India) and Volgograd (U.S.S.R.), near sunrise. One of the launchings from Thumba revealed the turbopause to be around 110 km. Large fluctuations in ion and electron densities were also registered in the altitude region 105–125 km, along with oscillatory structures in the neutral composition, indicating that unusual conditions prevailed during this measurement. Contrary to expectations, ‘time synchronous’ launchings from Thumba and Volgograd revealed nearly identical distributions of neutral species. The turbopause altitudes during these flights were also the same within the limits of experimental uncertainty. These measurements confirm that the role of the turbopause and temperature are mutually independent in governing the distribution of neutral composition in the thermosphere.     

Investigations of the winter anomaly in ionospheric absorption in January 1981

Ground-based and rocket-borne investigations were carried out in January 1981 in the Volgograd region to study space-time peculiarities of the winter anomaly in ionospheric radio wave absorption (WA). Electron-density altitude profiles N_e(h) were measured with rockets, by the coherent frequency method and by using electrostatic probes; temperature profiles T(h) were measured by a resistance thermometer: wind velocity and direction were measured by radio-observations of a chaff cloud and of the payload parachute drift. At the same time, ionospheric radio wave absorption was measured in Volgograd at two frequencies, 2.2 and 2.7 MHz, by the A1 method. The condition of the lower ionosphere could be determined from absorption data and from f min parameter data obtained from vertical sounding ionograms. “Salvo” launchings of the rockets were performed on 14 January, when absorption was anomalously large, and on 21 and 28 January, which were days of normal winter absorption.Data analysis has shown that N_e values on the day with excessive absorption exceeded the same values on a normal day at altitudes from 72 to 95 km; on 21 January N_c values exceeded those of 29 February 1980 (without WA) at all altitudes below ~ 90 km. The absorption at Volgograd on 28 January was somewhat higher than on 21 January and than at stations at higher latitude, which may be due to a stable local increase of N_e values in the altitude range 80–90 km. The temperature in the region of the N_e-enhanced values (up to the limit altitude of measurements, about 80 km) was below the standard temperature (COSPAR, 72), both on 14 January and on the normal days. Measurements carried out at night have shown that winter N_c values considerably exceeded those during the autumn. The zonal and meridional wind profiles (up to about 80 km) at Volgograd exhibit a stable eastward flux, both in the stratsophere and in the mesosphere. The value of the wind velocity meridional component on 21 January is close to zero at all altitudes. On 14 and 28 January the wind profiles show an irregular structure with large velocity gradients at all altitudes above about 50–60 km.The absorption data and f min data from a number of stations, viz. from Juliusruh to Yakutsk (in longitude) and from Arkhangel'sk to Rostov-on-Don (in latitude), show that anomalously excessive absorption occurred over a vast distance exceeding 100° of longitude at ~ 55° latitude and that, based on the dates of absorption maxima (f min), one may conclude that the source of the disturbance was moving from west to east. Data on the motion of the air as shown by rocket and radiometeoric observations, indicate the same wind direction in the stratosphere as in the mesosphere. These data and the constant pressure charts point to the conclusion that the enhanced radio absorption values at mid-latitudes may be explained by a transport of dry air rich in nitric oxide from the auroral zone towards lower latitudes. The transport is provided by a stable circumpolar vortex existing in winter time. This mechanism may explain both the normal and anomalous winter absorption, as well as the post-storm effect.     

Inertio-gravity waves and subtropical multiple tropopauses: Vertical wavenumber spectra of wind and temperature observed by the MU radar,radiosondes and operational rawinsonde network

We have carried out continuous observations of the tropopause region over Japan for three weeks during the Baiu (early summer rain “in Japan”) season in 1991, by using a VHF Doppler radar (the MU radar), radiosondes launched at the radar site and operational rawinsondes at five meteorological stations. Based on these observations, we try to examine the hypothesis that the multiple tropopauses and the dominant inertio-gravity waves are one and the same feature, and obtain some interesting results that are not inconsistent with this hypothesis. First, vertical wavenumber spectra and hodographs analyzed from the radar wind data in the tropopause region suggest that inertio-gravity waves with vertical wavelengths of ∼ 2 km are quasi-monochromatically dominant (with 2–3 day scale variabilities of 10–20%), and are in accordance with activities of the subtropical jet stream and mesoscale cyclone-front system activities observed by the operational network. Second, striking (potential) temperature fluctuations are detected simultaneously by the radiosondes and rawinsondes, which appear as multiple tropopauses in meridional cross-section analysis. Third, vertical wavenumber spectra analyzed from the radiosonde temperature data are consistent with the radar wind spectrum, if we assume that both wind and temperature fluctuations are mainly induced by the dominant inertio-gravity waves. Finally, we confirm that the dominant interio-gravity waves can be barely detected also from routine rawinsonde (1.5-km running-mean) wind data if the amplitude is larger than 1.5 m/s. However, the monochromatic wave structures are generally quite localized in space and time.     

贺兰口岩画风化病害机理

贺兰山岩画在世界岩画中占有重要的地位,由于自然环境因素的长期作用,贺兰山岩画遭受到了严重的破坏,若不尽快采取有效措施,这些珍贵的历史文物将不复存在。但是,截至目前关于贺兰山岩画风化机理的研究甚少,从而严重制约了对其风化机理准确地、有效地科学认识。为此,以贺兰口岩画为研究对象,在风化现状调查的基础上,对其保存环境的温度、湿度、大风及沙尘天气等数据进行统计分析,利用X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜等测试手段,并结合冻融实验和风洞试验进行风化病害机理研究。研究发现,贺兰口岩画以长石杂砂岩为主,引起其风化的因素有温度、湿度、风沙等。其中,温度变化和风沙剥蚀为主要病害因素。该研究有望为全面了解岩画风化机理以及其后续保护工作的实施提供理论基础。     

Comparison of plasma flow and thermospheric circulation over northern Scandinavia using EISCAT and a Fabry-Perot interferometer

The EISCAT incoherent scatter radar, operating in a full tristatic mode, provided data on the ionospheric plasma drift above northern Scandinavia, during the 24 h period, 11 UT 25 November to 11 UT 26 November 1982. For the hours of darkness, 14 UT until 05 UT, observations of thermospheric winds were made by means of a ground-based Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) operated at Kiruna Geophysical Institute (21° E, 68° N). During this period, the radar observations describe well the ebbing and flowing of regions of strong convective ion flow associated with the auroral oval. As individual geomagnetic disturbances occur, the overall ion flow pattern intensifies and moves equatorward. The zonal thermospheric wind observed by the FPI responds rapidly to surges of the local ionospheric convection, while the meridional wind response is slower and apparently to much larger-scale features of the geomagnetic input to the high latitude thermosphere. From the data base, periods of strong heating of the ionospheric ions and of the thermospheric gas can be identified, which can be compared with Joule and particle heating rates deduced from the observations of ionospheric drifts, neutral winds, electron densities and auroral emission rates. A three-dimensional, time-dependent global thermospheric model is used to distinguish local and global features of the thermospheric wind field. Meridional and zonal wind components at 312 km may be theoretically derived from the EISCAT data using an appropriate model (MSIS) for neutral temperature. The EISCAT-derived meridional wind is within about 50 m s⁻¹ of the FPI observations throughout the period of joint observations. The EISCAT-derived zonal wind is systematically larger (by about 50%) than the FPI measurement, but the two independent measurements follow closely the same fluctuations in response to geophysical events until 03 UT, when the EISCAT solution is driven away from the FPI measurement by a sharp increase in both neutral and ion temperatures. Between 03 and 05 UT the EISCAT-derived zonal wind is 200–400 m s⁻¹ westward. Allowance for the neutral temperature rise would reduce the EISCAT values towards the very small zonal winds shown by the FPI during this period. We describe the relatively straightforward analysis required to derive the meridional wind from the radar data and the limitations inherent in the derivation of zonal wind, using the ion energy equation, due to the lack of precise knowledge of the background neutral temperature from the EISCAT data alone. For analysis of EISCAT ion drift observations at 312 km, the ground-based FPI temperature measurements do not improve the accuracy of the analysis, since the median altitude of the FPI measurement is probably in the range 180–240 km throughout the observation period. This median altitude and the temperature gradient both fluctuate in response to local geomagnetic events, while the temperature gradient may be considerably greater than that predicted by standard atmospheric models. When the neutral temperature is well known, or when there is a large enhancement of the ion temperature, the EISCAT-derived zonal wind exceeds the FPI measurement, but the consistency with which they correlate and follow ion-drag accelerations suggests that the differences are purely due to the considerable altitude gradients which are predicted by theoretical models.     

A tidal wind model for 85–120 km based on CIRA-86: a feasibility study

This paper examines the feasibility of deriving a climatology of the diurnal variations of the wind in the 85–120 km region from the tidal components of temperature, density, and composition contained in the new COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere, CIRA-1986, Part I: Thermosphere Models [(1988), Adv. Space Res.8, 9]. To derive the wind field, we used the zonal and meridional momentum equations which have been modified from the characteristic scales of the tidal components observed in the 85–120 km region. The CIRA temperature and density model was used to derive the eastward (westerly) and northward (southerly) pressure gradient forces which serve as the forcing functions in the coupled momentum equations. Ground-based wind data from the Mesosphere-Lower Thermosphere (MLT) radar network is used as an independent data set to check the accuracy of the derived tidal wind model. At midlatitudes, the model reproduces some of the general features observed in the radar tidal data, such as the dominant semidiurnal tide with increasing amplitude with height and clockwise (counterclockwise) rotation of the velocity vector observed in the northern (southern) hemisphere. The model overestimates the semidiurnal amplitudes observed by radar by 50–75% during most seasons with the best agreement found during the equinoctial months. The model exhibits little phase variation with height or season, whereas the radar data exhibit a downward phase progression during most seasons (other than summer) characteristic of upward propagating tidal waves, and large seasonal phase variations associated with seasonal changes in vertical wavelengths. The diurnal tidal amplitudes, which are generally 5–20 m s⁻¹ at mid-latitude radar stations and are dominant over the semidiurnal amplitudes at lower latitudes, are less than 5 m s⁻¹ at all latitudes in the model.     

Simultaneous measurements of large vertical winds in the upper and lower thermosphere

High resolution vertical wind measurements of the upper and lower thermosphere were made at Poker Flat, Alaska, using a scanning Fabry-Perot spectrometer (FPS). Observations of the λ558 and λ630 nm emissions of atomic oxygen were made on 21 nights and allowed for the simultaneous determination of wind and temperature at altitudes of about 130 and 240 km, respectively. On two occasions, significant upwelling events were measured which lasted between 15 and 25 min. Peak velocities were up to 42 m/s at 130 km and 138 m/s at 240 km. Auroral activity was monitored using a meridian scanning photometer (MSP). On both occasions, the region of upwelling was located on the poleward side of the auroral oval during geomagnetically active conditions. A schematic model is used to describe an event from which the horizontal scale of the upwelling region is estimated to be less than 320 km in the lower thermosphere and less than 800 km in the upper thermosphere.     

Midlatitude seasonal behaviour of tides near the mesopause level

Wind measurements near the mesopause level were provided in Badary (Eastern Siberia, U.S.S.R.) by the Dl method using a low-frequency (200kHz) radio transmitter during 1976–1986. The seasonal variations of the wind are analyzed and compared with other midlatitude wind measurements as well as some theoretical predictions. It is shown that tidal parameters depend not only on latitude but on the longitude as well.     

Determination of velocity vectors of thermospheric wind from dispersion relations of TID's observed by an HF Doppler array

A method of determining horizontal velocity vectors and temperature of thermospheric winds from azimuthally different ω-κ diagrams derived from the data of traveling ionospheric disturbances (TID's) observed by an HF Doppler array has been developed. In this method, an analogous property between the Brunt-Vaisala frequency in the atmospheric oscillations and the plasma frequency in the plasma oscillations is applied to the analysis of the observed data. A declination of the resonance branches of the Brunt-Vaisala frequency in the ω-κ diagrams due to a Lorentz transformation is used for the estimation of the velocity vector of the thermospheric wind. This method makes it possible to separate the velocity vector of the thermospheric wind and the propagating directions of the TID's from the azimuthally different ω-κ diagrams. Several results of the velocity vectors during the daytime data are consistent with the results obtained by incoherent scatter radars and theoretical results. Furthermore, a typical dispersion curve which agrees well with those of the acoustic gravity waves derived from the linear perturbation theory under the isothermal atmospheric condition has been also obtained.     

Permanent monitoring of the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere wind fields (prevailing and semidiurnal tidal components) obtained from LF D1 measurements in 1991 at the Collm Geophysical Observatory

The wind field of the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere region (85–105 km) over Central Europe (52°N, 15°E) has been continually and reliably recorded by regular daily D1 radio wind measurements in the LF range (177, 225 and 270 kHz) using commercial radio transmitters. These measurements show the prevailing winds, the tidal wind components and the effects of internal gravity waves, as well as the seasonal and irregular variations of these parameters. The height of the wind measurements is determined by measuring the travel time differences between corresponding modulation bursts in the sky wave and in the ground wave. Using a quasi-online calculation procedure, the results are available immediately. Therefore they are useful for monitoring the upper atmospheric circulation with regard to upper atmosphere meteorology in the future. Vertical profiles of the wind field parameters can be derived with the aid of the combined wind and height measurements. Height-time cross-sections of the monthly mean prevailing winds and semidiurnal wind components have been calculated almost continuously for the last 10 years. The present paper deals with recent results for the year 1991.     

Some regularities of the lower thermosphre wind regime in summer and autumn from meteor radar measurements in obninsk (55°N, 38°E)

Meteor wind measurements made at Obninsk during MAC/SINE and MAC/EPSILON, and in the summer and autumn of other years since 1973, are reported. The zonal wind, which is presumed to be in the 93–95 km height region, is generally westerly, and the meridional wind is mainly northerly. Quasi-two-day oscillations are studied, as are semidiurnal tides. There is some evidence for a 22-yr periodicity in the amplitude of the semidiurnal tide     

Vertical motions in the thermosphere over Mawson,Antarctica

High time resolution measurements of Doppler shift and broadening of the (OI) >1630 nm emission in the night airglow and aurora have provided determinations of vertical velocities and temperatures in the neutral thermosphere over Mawson, Antarctica. The vertical wind exhibits a large, rapid and complex response to geomagnetic energy input. Upward winds greater than 50 m s⁻¹ are frequently associated with the expansion phase of auroral substorms. Following the disturbance, prolonged periods of downward winds produce temperature enhancements of 200K outside the source region, thus providing a mechanism for the redistribution of geomagnetic energy. Oscillatory behaviour consistent with thermospheric gravity waves is observed during both quiet and disturbed conditions.     

Plasma drifts inferred from thermospheric neutral winds and temperature gradients observed at low latitudes

Low-latitude plasma drifts (zonal and meridional) in the F-region are inferred from the observed night-time thermospheric neutral wind velocities and temperature gradients, together with models for the neutral density (MSIS-86 model) and the electron density (IRI model). The thermospheric neutral winds and temperatures are derived from measurements of Doppler shifts and widths of the Oi 630.0 nm airglow emission line, respectively, using a Fabry-Perot interferometer at Cachoeira Paulista (23°S, 45°W), Brazil. The equations considered are the ideal gas law and the momentum equation for the thermosphere, which includes the time variation of the neutral wind, the pressure gradient which is related to the temperature and density gradients and the ion drag force. The present method to infer the night-time plasma drift using observed neutral parameters (time variation of neutral wind velocities and temperature gradients) showed results that are in reasonable agreement with our calculated plasma drifts and those observed in other low-latitude locations. On the other hand, it is surprising that sometimes the winds flow from the observed coldest sector to the hottest part of the thermosphere during many hours, suggesting that plasma drift can drive the neutral winds at low latitudes for a period of time.     

The effects of neutral winds on the propagation of medium-scale atmospheric gravity waves at mid-latitudes

The influence of neutral winds on the propagation of medium-scale atmospheric gravity waves at mid-latitudes is investigated. A 3-dimensional neutral wind model is developed and used together with an atmospheric model in a gravity-wave ray-tracing analysis. It is demonstrated that the thermospheric wind can act as a filter for waves travelling at unfavorable angles to the mean flow, via the mechanisms of reflection and critical coupling. This wind filtering action rotates clockwise diurnally through 360° in the northern hemisphere. Observational evidence is presented which supports these predictions. Extensive modelling indicates that (a) faster and longer period waves are least affected by the neutral winds and (b) fixed-height (e.g. HF Doppler) observations of medium scale gravity waves is only likely to be possible for waves generated locally (within 500–1000 km). Waves generated at greater distances are probably dissipated before reaching the observation region.     

The analysis of hydroxyl rotational temperatures to characterize moving thermal structures near the mesopause

Hydroxyl (OH) rotational temperatures near 85 km altitude have been monitored at Calgary, Alberta, Canada (51°N, 114°W) since 1981 with the objective of determining velocities, wavelengths and periods associated with moving temperature structures. A technique is described whereby the velocity of moving patterns in two dimensional data sets can be accurately determined and used as a parameter for a global smoothing algorithm. Velocities of the structures in the meridional direction were found to be directed poleward. Corresponding Doppler bulk wind velocities measured near the 95 km height region were directed equatorward indicating the presence of filtering of internal gravity waves by the background wind. Two coherent wave structures were often observed simultaneously during a night. The smaller of the two structures had true wavelengths less than 15–30 km and may be related to billow clouds often reported in noctilucent cloud observations. The second wave has a period on the order of an hour and meridional wavelengths ranging from 100 to 2000 km.     

Co-ordinated EISCAT-MICADO interferometer measurements of neutral winds and temperatures in E- and F-regions

The MICADO instrument has been built to measure temperature and wind in the E- and F-regions. It employs a thermally stable field-compensated Michelson interferometer to allow wind measurements. During the winter of 1988–1989, the MICADO instrument was operated at Sodankylä (67°22′N, Finland). Measurements were made by observing the O¹S (low thermosphere) and the O₁D lines (high thermosphere) emission. Two co-ordinated campaigns were organized with the EISCAT radar, which operated in special modes. Neutral wind and temperature are derived from EISCAT data. Results of the two instruments are shown. The differences between the two sets of results are discussed and show that most of the discrepancy is due to the presence of vertical winds during the observations where the magnetic activity was high.     

Tides in the 80–100 km height region

The Institute of Experimental Meteorology (U.S.S.R.) has carried out long-term continuous wind velocity measurements by the meteor radar method for the 80–100 km height region. From this experimental data the seasonal and latitudinal variations of atmospheric tides, as well as the spatial and temporal scales of tidal variability, have been determined.Atmospheric variations with a period of about half-a-day are investigated on the basis of a numerical model. A dependence between the mean wind structure and the semi-diurnal oscillation in the lower thermosphere is established. The influence of stratospheric warmings on semi-diurnal oscillations is also discussed. Numerical experiments show that the mean wind variations cannot explain the observed seasonal variations of a semi-diurnal tide.     

Low latitude thermospheric meridional winds between 250 and 450 km altitude: AE-E satellite data

The daily variations of the meridional wind at ±18° latitude have been obtained for summer and winter between 1977 and 1979 using the in situ measurements from the Atmosphere Explorer-E (AE-E) satellite. The AE-E altitude increased from about 250 to about 450 km during this period, with solar activity increasing simultaneously. Data are presented at three altitudes, around 270, 350 and 440 km. It was possible to average the data to obtain the 24 h variations of the meridional wind simultaneously at northern and southern latitudes and thereby study the seasonal variation of the meridional wind in the altitude range covered. Two features are found showing significant seasonal variation: (a) a late afternoon maximum of the poleward wind occurring only in winter at 1800 LT at all three altitudes; (b) a night-time maximum in the equatorward wind—the summer equatorward wind abating earlier (near 2130 LT) and more rapidly than the winter wind (after 2300 LT). Furthermore, in summer the night-time wind reaches higher amplitudes than in winter. The night-time feature is consistent with the observed seasonal variation of the equatorial midnight temperature maximum, which occurs at or before midnight in summer and after midnight in winter, showing a stronger maximum in summer. The observed night-time abatement and seasonal variations in the night-time winds are in harmony with ground based observations at 18° latitude (Arecibo). The time difference found between summer and winter abatements of the night-time equatorward wind are in large part due to a difference between the phases of the summer and winter diurnal (fundamental) components, and diurnal amplitudes are larger in summer than in winter at all threee altitudes. However, the higher harmonics play an important role, their amplitudes being roughly 50% of the diurnal and in some instances larger. The 24 h variation is mainly diurnal at all altitudes in both summer and winter, except in winter around 2700 km altitude where the semi- and ter-diurnal components are approximately equal to or larger than the diurnal.     

The seasonal maximum in the amplitude of the semidiurnal tidal wind in the upper mesopause region over Central Europe

The highly homogeneous tidal wind field pattern in the upper meaopause region in September every year appears to provide the best opportunity for comparing the results of high-atmosphere wind measurements obtained by different measuring methods.