中纬度中间层顶钠原子密度高度分布的长期变化趋势研究(2010—2021)

中间层顶/低热层区域(the Mesosphere/Lower Thermosphere,简称MLT)的高度为70～110 km,为了研究这一区域对太阳活动的响应,本文以钠原子为示踪物,对北京延庆(116.0°E,40.5°N)钠共振荧光激光雷达2010年1月—2021年8月近一个太阳活动周期的数据进行了分析,发现钠原子柱密度的长期变化显著,与太阳黑子数的变化呈现出正相关趋势.延庆钠层质心高度的线性趋势在这期间总共上升了311.4±706.6 m,长期变化趋势并不显著.自2018年开始,半高全宽对应的高度范围出现了明显的增加,但是上边沿升高的幅度不大,目前受到广泛关注的热层金属层的观测与研究更依赖于激光雷达探测灵敏度的提升.     

卫星遥感东经120°子午圈MLT典型温度结构：中间层顶统计分析

利用2002~2006年期间SABER/TIMED温度数据综合考察了中心位于120°E,宽度为30°子午圈（东经120°子午圈）内中间层和低热层（MLT）大气的平均热力状态. 季节平均温度的分析结果说明该子午圈中平均温度与用相同数据集建立的纬圈平均温度之间表现出相当好的一致性,但是与国际参考大气CIRA-86温度之间则表现出显著的差异,而对MLT典型温度结构描述不同是导致70 km高度以上出现这种显著差异（20 K以上）的主要原因. 进一步利用逐日数据开展温度梯度诊断确定了中间层顶的位置和温度,在此基础开展考察的结果显示,在夏季,与极区中间层顶高度一致（83 km）的中间层顶稳定地伸展到中纬度（48°N）,而热带和赤道地区中间层顶稳定地维持在97 km高度,形成了“两台阶”中间层顶结构. 逐日分析结果还揭示了中纬度地区夏季中间层顶异常复杂的表现,结果表明在这里可以看到两种位于不同高度的中间层顶,第一种位于83 km并且伴随异常低温,而另一种位于约100 km高度. 虽然基于当前分析结果并利用过去用于解释极区中间层顶“两模态”的理论对有关问题进行了探讨,但是全面理解夏季中纬度中间层顶的复杂表现还有待更深入的研究.     

亚暴期间等离子体对流速度及热层纬向风速度变化的统计学分析

本文利用2001年至2005年间CHAMP卫星及DMSP(F13,F15)卫星观测数据,对亚暴发生前后,亚暴初始位置所在磁地方时(Magnetic Local Time,MLT)东侧2h(+2h,MLT)至西侧4h(-4h,MLT)范围内等离子体对流速度(Vy)及热层纬向风速度(Uy)的变化进行了统计学分析.研究发现在亚暴发生后的1.5h内,所有MLT区间的Vy均明显增大,且峰值位置的地磁纬度向赤道侧移动,1.5h后,Vy减小,峰值的纬度向极区移动,表明亚暴的发生能显著增强等离子体对流速度;在亚暴发生位置的西侧0~2h内,Vy增幅最大,这表明亚暴对热层的影响主要在西侧,影响最大的区域是西侧0~2hMLT区间;Uy在亚暴发生后3h持续增大,其对亚暴的响应相较于Vy有1.5h的延迟.     

磁宁静期核心等离子体层电子密度分布的统计研究

等离子体层已有数十年研究历史,但对其核心等离子体区域却一直没有一个相对准确的界限和模型定义.基于范阿伦辐射带卫星RBSP-A在2012年9月18日至2014年10月13日约两年的观测,我们统计研究了磁宁静期间核心等离子体层电子密度随磁地方时(MLT)及磁壳指数(L-value)的分布特征.发现了核心等离子体层电子密度在不同MLT条件下随L值的变化趋势几乎一致,但与以前的等离子体层经验模式计算的电子密度存在较大的偏差.在不同L值下电子密度随MLT的变化趋势也相差不大,而且随MLT存在明显的逐日和半日变化.最后我们获得了等离子体层电子密度随L值和MLT变化的经验公式.研究结果对空间等离子体层建模及研究具有重要的意义.     

北京MST雷达探测中间层-低热层观测结果初步分析

北京MST雷达是子午工程建设的国内仅有的两部MST雷达之一,为研究其在中间层-低热层MLT区域的探测能力以及数据可靠性,本文应用北京MST雷达2012、2013两年高模式数据,从数据获取率、与廊坊流星雷达测风对比以及风场时空分布特征三个方面进行初步分析.结果是:(1)数据获取率日变化特征为:白天65~100km均可获取数据,数据获取率的高值区主要集中在70~80km,最大值可达80%;夜间主要集中在80~100km,数据获取率在30%及以下.表明该MST雷达白天可以探测到电离层D层和E层低层,夜间D层消失,只探测到E层低层.季节变化特征为:夏季白天可获取数据的时间和高度区间都比较大,春季次之,冬季最小.夏季白天以及日落后1h内可探测到120km.(2)对北京MST雷达与廊坊流星雷达2012年5月份、80~100km高度区间测量的水平风进行对比分析,二者测风结果在时空分布上有很好的一致性,表明MST雷达探测数据是可靠的.(3)2012年和2013年相应月份平均的纬向风、经向风时空分布特征有较高的一致性,并与HWM07模式结果也基本一致.上述初步分析结果表明,北京MST雷达对中间层-低热层60~120km高度区域已具备较强的探测能力,所得结果将可用于MLT过程揭示与驱动因子研究,并可与该高度上其他探测手段作综合研究.     

卫星遥感东经120°子午圈MLT典型温度结构：中间层顶统计分析

利用2002-2006年期间SABER／TIMED温度数据综合考察了中心位于120°E,宽度为30°子午圈（东经120°子午圈）内中间层和低热层（MLT）大气的平均热力状态．季节平均温度的分析结果说明该子午圈中平均温度与用相同数据集建立的纬圈平均温度之间表现出相当好的一致性,但是与国际参考大气CIRA-86温度之间则表现出显著的差异,而对MLT典型温度结构描述不同是导致70km高度以上出现这种显著差异（20K以上）的主要原因．进一步利用逐日数据开展温度梯度诊断确定了中间层顶的位置和温度,在此基础开展考察的结果显示,在夏季,与极区中间层顶高度一致（83km）的中间层顶稳定地伸展到中纬度（48°N）,而热带和赤道地区中间层顶稳定地维持在97km高度,形成了“两台阶”中间层顶结构．逐日分析结果还揭示了中纬度地区夏季中间层顶异常复杂的表现,结果表明在这里可以看到两种位于不同高度的中间层顶,第一种位于83km并且伴随异常低温,而另一种位于约100km高度．虽然基于当前分析结果并利用过去用于解释极区中间层顶“两模态”的理论对有关问题进行了探讨,但是全面理解夏季中纬度中间层顶的复杂表现还有待更深入的研究．     

基于中国中东部多站流星雷达的二维风场观测研究

全天空流星雷达广泛应用于中间层-低热层大气水平风场的观测,为研究该区域大气风场的变化特征提供了重要数据支持.目前流星雷达主要采用单站观测模式,没有水平分辨率,并且只能探测流星区域的大气平均水平风场.为了得到更加丰富且精准的中间层-低热层大气风场信息,本研究介绍了建设在中国安徽地区的多站流星雷达系统,该系统包括安装在蒙城（33.36°N, 116.49°E）的一台单站流星雷达和长丰（31.98°N, 117.22°E）的一台远程接收机,两地直线距离约为167km.相比于单站流星雷达,多站流星雷达系统探测到的前向散射流星数目增加了约70%,并且一般可以提供400 km×400km以上的水平观测区域.除此之外,多站流星雷达系统还可以提供更加丰富的流星观测角度.新多站系统可以实现中间层-低热层大气二维水平风场的观测,在获取平均水平风场以及风场水平梯度的同时,还可以估计水平风场的散度、相对涡度和拉伸、剪切形变信息.多站流星雷达能够提供更多的水平风场参数,对进一步研究中间层-低热层区域的大气动力学过程具有重要意义.不仅如此,未来即将建成的多站流星雷达观测网将会实现中国中东部地区上空的中间层-低热层...     

中国廊坊(39.4°N,116.7°E)中间层和低热层潮汐的季节变化

本文利用中国廊坊站(39.4°N,116.7°E)流星雷达在2012年4月1日至2013年3月31日期间的水平风场观测数据,分析了廊坊上空中间层和低热层(MLT,80~100 km)大气纬向风、经向风潮汐的季节变化特征.研究表明:廊坊MLT区域周日潮汐和半日潮汐波动比较显著,有明显的季节变化特征.周日潮汐振幅在88 km以下为半年变化,极大值位于2-3月和10月,极小值位于冬、夏季;在88 km以上为周年变化,振幅冬末春初最强,夏季最弱.周日潮汐相位在秋、冬季比春、夏季提前.半日潮汐主要呈现半年变化,在5月和9月最强,冬、夏季最弱.半日潮汐相位在春、夏季比秋、冬季提前.此外,廊坊风场潮汐的观测结果与WACCM4模式模拟结果进行比较,结果表明两者的主要特征相似,在细节上有显著区别.与40°N附近其他站点风场潮汐观测结果的比较结果表明中纬度MLT风场潮汐有显著的随经度变化特性.     

基于Van Allen Probes EMFISIS波动仪器观测的内磁层上频带哨声合声波全球分布的统计分析

基于Van Allen Probes近三年的EMFISIS仪器波动观测数据,针对内磁层上频带哨声模合声波幅度的全球分布特性对地磁活动水平的依赖性进行了详细的统计分析,着重研究上频带合声波平均场强幅度随磁壳值(L)、磁地方时(MLT)、地磁纬度(MLAT)的分布特征及不同强度区间的合声波的发生概率.结果表明,上频带合声波的平均场强幅度与地磁活动条件密切相关,在强磁扰期,平均幅度可达到40 pT以上.在外辐射带中心区域(L=4~6),上频带合声波的幅度最强;在L~3的区域,上频带磁层合声波没有分布.在夜侧至晨侧(22—09MLT),上频带合声波幅度最强;在下午侧至昏侧(15-19MLT),上频带合声波幅度最弱;日侧(10-14MLT)上频带合声波在不同地磁活动条件下都存在,幅度偏小.上频带合声波主要分布在|MLAT|10°,其中21-09MLT范围内、磁纬位于|MLAT丨5°的平均场强幅度最强,磁扰期间可达约100 pT.另外,统计而言,中等幅度(10~30 pT)的上频带合声波在夜侧至晨侧(23-09MLT)靠近磁赤道区域的发生率最高,可达15%左右.强幅度(30 pT)的上频带合声波普遍分布在夜侧(01-05MLT),发生率最小.本文建立的上频带哨声模合声波的全球分布模型结合已经建立的下频带合声波的全球分布模型,将有助于进一步深入理解该重要磁层等离子体波动对地球等离子体片、辐射带、环电流动力学过程的定量贡献.     

利用COSMIC低轨卫星对GPS信号的顶部TEC观测资料研究等离子体层电子含量的变化特征

本文尝试利用COSMIC低轨卫星对GPS信号的顶部TEC观测资料研究等离子体层电子含量(简称PEC)的变化规律.首先介绍从低轨卫星对GPS的顶部TEC观测资料提取等离子体层垂直电子含量的方法,然后利用该方法提取2008年全年的PEC数据,进而研究了2008年这一太阳活动低年PEC随地磁纬度(MLAT)、磁地方时(MLT)以及不同季节的变化规律.此外,还利用提取的120°E和300°E经度链上的数据对比研究了PEC的经度变化情形.研究结果表明:(1)PEC主要集中分布在磁赤道±45°之间的一个绕地球的环带状区域中;(2)PEC表现出以下的昼夜变化规律特征:白天时段之值高于夜间,约在12—16MLT之间达到最高峰值,而最小PEC值出现在日出前大约4—5MLT左右的时段;(3)相比其他季节月份而言,PEC在北半球夏季月份(5—8月)具有最小值;(4)PEC存在明显的经度变化,不同经度链上的PEC存在不同的季节变化特征.     

北京地区上空OH转动温度的季节性变化

在北京东北方向的兴隆天文台,自主搭建的大气辐射观测仪器对OH夜气辉从2011年12月开始进行观测.利用高分辨率的OH(8-3)带的振转光谱计算了转动温度,并与TIMED/SABER探测的温度进行了比较.观测表明,两年(2012—2013)的OH(8-3)带转动温度平均值为203.0±11.2K,有明显的季节变化,冬季高,夏季低,温差可达60K.与SABER观测温度的季节变化一致.对日平均的转动温度进行年振荡和半年振荡分量的拟合分析表明,年振荡强度(10.8K)远大于半年振荡(2.7K).研究还发现,不同夜晚转动温度变化形态差别很大,既有很强的潮汐控制的波动,又有相对短周期的波动.     

Ground-based Pc5 ULF wave power: Solar wind speed and MLT dependence

Using over 20 years of ground-based magnetometer data from the CANOPUS/CARISMA magnetometer array, we present a statistical characterisation of Pc5 ultra-low frequency (ULF) power in the 2–10 mHz band as a function of magnetic local time (MLT), L-shell, and solar wind speed. We examine the power across L-shells between 4.2 and 7.9, using data from the PINA, ISLL, GILL and FCHU stations, and demonstrate that there is a significant MLT dependence in both the H- and D-component median 2–10 mHz power during both fast (>500 km/s) and slow (<500 km/s) solar wind speeds. The H-component power consistently dominates over D-component power at all MLTs and during both fast and slow solar wind. At the higher-L stations (L>5.4), there are strong MLT power peaks in the morning and midnight local time sectors; the morning sector dominating midnight during fast solar wind events. At lower L-shells, there is no evidence of the midnight peak and the 2–10 mHz power is more symmetric with respect to MLT except during the fastest solar wind speeds. There is little evidence in the ground-based power of a localised MLT peak in ULF power at dusk, except at the lowest L-shell station, predominantly in the H-component. The median 2–10 mHz power increases with an approximate power law dependence on solar wind speed, at all local times across the L-shell domain studied in both components. The H-component power peaks at the latitude of the GILL station, with significantly lower power at both higher and lower L-shells. Conversely, the D-component power increases monotonically. We believe that this is evidence for 2–10 mHz power accumulating at auroral latitudes in field line resonances. Finally, we discuss how such ULF wave power characterisation might be used to derive empirical radiation belt radial diffusion coefficients based on, and driven by, the solar wind speed dependence of ULF wave power.     

Temperature trends in the middle atmosphere as seen by historical Russian rocket launches: Part 2, Heiss Island (80.6°N, 58°E)

Long-term changes of the temperature of the middle atmosphere are investigated using a data bank obtained by Russian rocketsondes at Heiss Island (80.6°N, 58°E). The major interest of the data series is that it is one of the longest and uninterrupted records obtained at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere over 25 years, from 1969 to 1994. Previous estimates using this dataset has shown the largest trends. The revised analysis performed here took into account all possible discontinuities in the data series, such as a change in the time-of-measurement, T₀, and in the type of sensor. For this purpose, some data were filtered out, and a statistical model based on multiple regression analyses included step functions to take into account such discontinuities. The temperature responses to different sources of variability (solar activity, volcanic aerosols) were retrieved for summer and winter periods. The response to the 11-year solar cycle in the winter period is found to be largely positive in the stratosphere (∼+4 K) and largely negative in the mesosphere (∼−8 K), with a smaller and opposite response in summer. This response depends on the phase of the QBO, as already shown by previous studies. The response to volcanic aerosols is found to be significantly positive in the upper mesosphere, in good agreement with numerical simulations and with observations above France. The long-term trend resulting from this reanalysis indicates a cooling of the middle atmosphere, increasing with altitude from −2 K/decade at 40 km to a maximum of −6 K/decade around 65 km. This result is slightly larger than the trend observed at mid-latitude but quite smaller than previous estimates.     

An Overview of Long-Term Trends in the Lower Ionosphere Below 120 km

The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is expectedalso to modify the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT region). However,the greenhouse cooling – instead of heating – at these heights is revealed by modelsand generally confirmed by observations. This should more or less affect variousionospheric parameters at these heights. The spatial and temporal structure oftemperature trends in the MLT region is quite complex and, therefore, such structureshould occur for trends in the lower ionosphere as well. In the lower part of theionosphere below about 90 km, the rocket measurements of electron density, theindirect phase reflection height measurements and the A3 radio wave absorptionmeasurements reveal trends corresponding to cooling and shrinking of the mesosphere,while riometric measurements of cosmic noise absorption provide inconclusive results.The radio wave absorption and rocket electron density measurements clearly display asubstantial dependence of trends on height. Ionosonde data show that there is amodel-expected trend in the maximum electron concentration of the E region ionosphere;foE is slightly increasing. On the other hand, the height of the normal E layer, h'E, isslightly decreasing. The nighttime LF radio wave reflection height measurements near95 km support an idea of increasing electron density. However, rather scarce rocketmeasurements display a negative trend in electron density at 90–120 km. The role ofthe solar cycle and other longer-term variability of natural origin in the determinationof observational trends must not be neglected. In spite of the general qualitativeagreement with model expectations, there is still some controversy between variousobservational trend results (hopefully, apparent rather than real), which needs to beclarified.     

中间层顶变化的SABER/TIMED卫星观测

本文利用TIMED卫星搭载的SABER探测仪对全球中间层顶信息进行了研究,包括中间层顶的高度、温度及其季节和纬度变化,并对双中间层顶现象进行了分析.中间层顶的温度约在160～180K之间变化,高度在85～100km内变化,温度和高度都是冬季高夏季低,有着较为一致的变化趋势.中间层顶高纬呈现显著年变化,而低纬和赤道呈现弱的半年变化,南北半球的中间层顶信息有着不对称性.高纬地区的双中间层顶现象十分显著,中间层顶一般会从100km附近迅速降低至85km附近.根据长时间范围内平均的结果显示,北半球的双中间层顶现象在20°N—30°N的中纬范围开始发生,证实了北半球双中间层顶现象不再仅限于极区和中高纬地区.而南半球则仍是在50°S才显著发生双中间层顶现象.我们统计了中高纬地区夏季所有的单个观测剖面并且与当年冬季的平均背景剖面相比较,数据显示,较低的夏季第二中间层顶高度绝大多数比冬季中间层顶低12～16km.     

Global Dynamics of the MLT

The transition between the middle atmosphere and the thermosphere is known as the MLT region (for mesosphere and lower thermosphere). This area has some characteristics that set it apart from other regions of the atmosphere. Most notably, it is the altitude region with the lowest overall temperature and has the unique characteristic that the temperature is much lower in summer than in winter. The summer-to-winter-temperature gradient is the result of adiabatic cooling and warming associated with a vigorous circulation driven primarily by gravity waves. Tides and planetary waves also contribute to the circulation and to the large dynamical variability in the MLT. The past decade has seen much progress in describing and understanding the dynamics of the MLT and the interactions of dynamics with chemistry and radiation. This review describes recent observations and numerical modeling as they relate to understanding the dynamical processes that control the MLT and its variability. Results from the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM), which is a comprehensive high-top general circulation model with interactive chemistry, are used to illustrate the dynamical processes. Selected observations from the Sounding the Atmosphere with Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument are shown for comparison. WACCM simulations of MLT dynamics have some differences with observations. These differences and other questions and discrepancies described in recent papers point to a number of ongoing uncertainties about the MLT dynamical system.     

A statistical analysis of longitudinal dependences of upper thermospheric zonal winds at dip equator latitudes derived from CHAMP

New observations, obtained by the accelerometer onboard the CHAMP satellite, reveal a detailed picture of the thermospheric zonal wind. Based on three years of data (2002–2004) we have studied the longitudinal dependence of the zonal delta wind (deviations from the zonal average) at the dip equator. The large number of passes ($\sim$33 750) allows to consider several aspects of the wind characteristics at the same time. For this analysis we derived the longitudinal variation of the zonal delta wind at about 400 km altitude and investigated its dependence on solar flux, magnetic activity, and season. Major longitudinal dependences are confined to the morning hours, 03-09 local time (LT). The amplitude of the delta wind is approximately proportional to the latitudinal displacement of the magnetic dip equator from the geographic equator. The direction of the delta wind reverses sign between the June and December Solstices. During Equinox seasons these large scale features are almost absent. The flux level of solar EUV has no significant influence on the longitudinal variations. A dependence on magnetic activity could only be found during the post-sunset hours, 18-21 LT. Performing a Fourier transform of our delta wind velocities revealed a dominance of the wavenumber 4 in the Equinox data at some LT sectors. The wave-4 structure is a prevailing feature in the slowly precessing satellite frame, which has been recently reported, e.g. in nonmigrating tidal temperature measurements of the SABER instrument on the TIMED satellite in the Mesosphere Lower Thermosphere (MLT) region. Therefore, this statistical study of zonal wind longitudinal dependences provides new observational evidence for the coupling of the various atmospheric layers by nonmigrating tides.     

Comparison of ground-based and satellite measurements of atmospheric temperature in the mesopause region in high-latitude eastern Siberia

The mesopause kinetic temperature at an altitude of 87 km measured with a SABER broadband radiometer installed on the TIMED satellite and the hydroxyl molecule rotational temperature measured with a ground-spectrograph installed in high-latitude eastern Siberia (Maimaga optical station; φ = 63°N, λ = 129.5°E) are compared. The data of the observations performed from 2002 to 2006 have been analyzed. The temperatures measured during the satellite passes at distances not larger than 300 km from the intersection of the spectrograph sighting line with the hydroxyl emitting layer (∼87 km) have been compared. An analysis of 130 cases of coincident measurements indicated that the average hydroxyl molecule rotational temperatures are systematically lower than the average kinetic temperature at an altitude of the hydroxyl layer measured with SABER by 4.4 K (with a standard deviation of 11.4 K). A seasonal dependence is observed regarding the difference between the ground-based and satellite measurements. The difference decreases from 10 K in January to zero towards March. However, the time variations in the temperature obtained with the ground-based device and on the satellite are similar. Based on the performed analysis, it has been concluded that a series of hydroxyl rotational temperatures can be used to study temperature variations on different time scales, including long-term trends at the temperature emission altitude (∼87 km).     

Long-term variability in mesopause region temperatures over Fort Collins, Colorado (41°N, 105°W) based on lidar observations from 1990 through 2007

During 1990–2007, there were 894 lidar observations of nocturnal mesopause region temperatures over Fort Collins, Colorado. In an earlier analysis with data to April 1997, an unexpected episodic warming, peaking in 1993 with a maximum value over 10 K, was reported and attributed to the Mount Pinatubo eruption in June 1991. With all data, long-term temperature trends from a 7-parameter linear regression analysis including solar cycle effect and long-term trends leads to a cooling of as much as 6.8 K/decade at 100 km, consistent with some reported observations but larger than model predictions. Including the observed episodic warming response in an 11-parameter nonlinear regression analysis reduces the maximum long-term cooling trends to 1.5 K/decade at 91 km, with magnitude and altitude dependences consistent with the prediction of two models, Spectral Mesosphere/Lower Thermosphere Model (SMLTM) and Hamburg Model of the Neutral and Ionized Atmosphere (HAMMONIA). In addition, the mid-latitude middle-atmospheric response to solar flux variability in Thermosphere–Ionosphere-Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED)/Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) temperatures is presented.