Inter-hemispheric asymmetry in polar mesosphere summer echoes and temperature at 69° latitude

An inter-hemispheric asymmetry is found in the characteristics of polar mesosphere summer echoes (PMSE) and upper mesosphere temperatures at conjugate latitudes (～69°) above Antarctica and the Arctic. The second complete mesosphere–stratosphere–troposphere (MST) radar summer observation season at Davis (68.6°S) revealed that PMSE occur less frequently, with lower strength and on average 1 km higher compared with their northern counterparts at Andenes (69.3°N). We consider the thermodynamic state of the mesosphere for conjoining hemispheric summers based on satellite and ground-based radar measurements, and show the mesopause region near ～80–87 km of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) to be up to 7.5 K warmer than its Northern Hemisphere (NH) counterpart. We show that this is consistent with our observation of asymmetries in the characteristics of PMSE and demonstrate how the mesosphere meridional wind field influences the existence and strength of the echoes in both hemispheres.     

PMSE observations at three different frequencies in northern Europe during summer 1994

Simultaneous observations of polar mesosphere summer echoes (PMSE) have been carried out during summer 1994 in northern Norway using three radars on different frequencies: the ALOMAR SOUSY radar at Andenes on 53.5 MHz, the EISCAT VHP radar at Tromsø on 224 MHz and the MF radar at Tromsø on 2.78 MHz. During the common measuring period in July/August 1994, PMSE could be detected at 224 and 53.5 MHz, and there are strong hints that PMSE also occur at 2.78 MHz. Reliable correlations between hourly backscattered power values indicate that the PMSE structures have zonal extensions of more than 130 km and can be detected at very different scales (half wavelength) between 0.67 (EISCAT VHP radar) and 54 m (MF radar). Using the wind values derived by the MF radar it can be shown that the mesospheric wind field influences the structure of PMSE. The diurnal variation of PMSE is strongly connected with tidal-wind components, whereas spatial differences of PMSE can partly be explained by the mean wind field.     

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.     

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.     

A numerical model of the zonal mean circulation of the middle atmosphere

The annual cycle of the zonally averaged circulation in the middle atmosphere (16–96 km) is simulated using a numerical model based on the primitive equations in log pressure coordinates. The circulation is driven radiatively by heating due to solar ultraviolet absorption by ozone and infrared cooling due to carbon dioxide and ozone (parameterized as a Newtonian cooling). Since eddy fluxes due to planetary waves are neglected in the model, the computed mean meridional circulation must be interpreted as thediabatic circulation, not as the total eulerian mean. Rayleigh friction with a short (2–4 day) time constant above 70 km is included to simulate the strong mechanical dissipation which is hypothesized to exist in the vicinity of the mesopause due to turbulence associated with gravity waves and tides near the mesopause.Computed mean winds and temperatures are in general agreement with observations for both equinox and solstice conditions. In particular, the strong mechanical damping specified near the mesopause makes it possible to simulate the cold summer and warm winter mesopause temperatures without generating excessive mean zonal winds. In addition, the model exhibits a strong semiannual cycle in the mean zonal wind at the equator, with both amplitude and vertical structure in agreement with the easterly phase of the observed equatorial semiannual oscillation.Contribution No. 497, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle.     

Artificial periodic irregularities in the auroral ionosphere

Artificial periodic irregularities (API) are produced in the ionospheric plasma by a powerful standing electromagnetic wave reflected off the F region. The resulting electron-density irregularities can scatter other high-frequency waves if the Bragg scattering condition is met. Such measurements have been performed at mid-latitudes for two decades and have been developed into a useful ionospheric diagnostic technique. We report here the first measurements from a high-latitude station, using the EISCAT heating facility near Troms0, Norway. Both F-region and lower-altitude ionospheric echoes have been obtained, but the bulk of the data has been in the E and D regions with echoes extending down to 52-km altitude. Examples of API are shown, mainly from the D region, together with simultaneous VHP incoherent-scatter-radar (ISR) data. Vertical velocities derived from the rate of phase change during the irregularity decay are shown and compared with velocities derived from the ISR. Some of the API-derived velocities in the 75–115-km height range appear consistent with vertical neutral winds as shown by their magnitudes and by evidence of gravity waves, while other data in the 50–70-km range show an unrealistically large bias. For a comparison with ISR data it has proved difficult to get good quality data sets overlapping in height and time. The initial comparisons show some agreement, but discrepancies of several metres per second do not yet allow us to conclude that the two techniques are measuring the same quantity. The irregularity decay time-constants between about 53 and 70 km are compared with the results of an advanced ion-chemistry model, and height profiles of recorded signal power are compared with model estimates in the same altitude range. The calculated amplitude shows good agreement with the data in that the maximum occurs at about the same height as that of the measured amplitude. The calculated time-constant agrees very well with the data below 60 km but is larger above 60 km by a factor of up to 2 at 64 km. The comparisons with the model are considered to be a good basis for more refined comparisons.     

Analysis and interpretation of airglow and radar observations of quasi-monochromatic gravity waves in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere over Adelaide,Australia (35°S, 138°E)

Observations of wave-driven fluctuations in emissions from the OH Meinel (OHM) and O₂ Atmospheric band were made with a narrow-band airglow imager located at Adelaide, Australia (35S, 138E) during the period April 1995 to January 1996. Simultaneous wind measurements in the 80–100 km region were made with a co-located MF radar. The directionality of quasi-monochromatic (QM) waves in the mesopause region is found to be highly anisotropic, especially during the solstices. During the summer, small-scale QM waves in the airglow are predominately poleward propagating, while during winter they are predominately equatorward. The directionality inferred from a Stokes analysis applied to the radar data also indicates a strong N–S anisotropy in summer and winter, but whether propagation is from the north or south cannot be determined from the analysis. The directionality of the total wave field (which contains incoherent as well as coherent features) derived from a spectral analysis of the images shows a strong E–W component, whereas, an E–W component is essentially absent for QM waves. The prevalence of QM waves is also strongly seasonally dependent. The prevalence is greatest in the summer and the least in winter and correlates with the height of the mesopause; whether it is above or below the airglow layers. The height of the mesopause is significant because for nominal thermal structures it is associated with a steep gradient in the Brunt-Väisälä frequency that causes the base of a lower thermospheric thermal duct to be located in the vicinity of the mesopause. We interpret the QM waves as waves trapped in the lower thermosphere thermal duct or between the ground and the layer of evanescence above the duct. Zonal winds can deplete the thermal duct by limiting access to the duct or by negating the thermal trapping. Radar measurements of the prevailing zonal wind are consistent with depletion of zonally propagating waves. During winter, meridional winds in the upper mesophere and lower thermosphere are weak and have no significant effect on meridionally propagating waves. However, during summer the winds in the duct region can significantly enhance ducting of southward propagating waves. The observed directionality of the waves can be explained in terms of the prevailing wind at mesopause altitudes and the seasonal variation of distant sources.     

Polar mesosphere summer echoes (PMSE) studied at Bragg wavelengths of 2.8 m, 67 cm,and 16 cm

We present observations of radar volume reflectivities under conditions of polar mesosphere summer echoes (PMSE) at three frequencies, i.e., 53.5, 224, and 930 MHz corresponding to Bragg wavelengths of 2.8, 0.67, and 0.16 m. These measurements were made with the ALWIN radar in Andenes and the EISCAT VHF and UHF radars in Tromsø. Contributions to the signal at 930 MHz by incoherent scatter are used to estimate electron number densities and their gradient at PMSE altitudes, and spectral width measurements of Doppler spectra recorded at 224 MHz are used to estimate the turbulent energy dissipation rate. We further derive a theoretical expression for the radar volume reflectivity for the case of turbulent scatter aided by a large Schmidt number (i.e., the current standard theory of PMSE) and show that our observations quantitatively agree with this theory if Schmidt numbers between 2500 and 5000 are assumed. We then show that these Schmidt numbers correspond to ice particles with radii in the range 20–30 nm which should frequently occur in the polar summer mesopause region. In addition, we show that for the short period when PMSE was observed at UHF frequencies the volume reflectivity is proportional to a factor determined by the turbulent energy dissipation rate, electron number density, and the electron number density gradient in agreement with theory. We consider our findings as strong support that PMSE at all considered frequencies is indeed created by turbulent scatter in the presence of a large Schmidt number. We finally highlight that ultimate proof of this concept will require the direct measurement of ice particle sizes in a PMSE environment probed by radars covering frequencies between 50 MHz and 1 GHz.     

Auroral activity caused by high-power radioemission from the SURA facility

A series of experimental modifications of the ionosphere in the HF range, performed at the SURA facility base, together with optical measurements onboard the International Space Station (ISS), indicated that such impacts on the ionosphere are effective when the facility operational frequency is higher than the critical plasma frequency (for the main ionospheric F2 layer). The experimental measurements were supported by measurements at ground-based observatories, ISS, and the Demeter and GPS satellites. The analysis results of the entire data set are presented. The ray HF radio tracing for the experiment of October 2, 2007, has been calculated, and it has been indicated that the ionosphere to the north of the facility up to 60°–62° N latitudes was irradiated by the facility beam (the effects of ray redistribution and refocusing) due to refraction on the gradient of the F2 layer critical frequencies. An analysis of the ground-based and satellite measurements (both in the vicinity of a heater and in the magnetically conjugate region) indicates that it is possible to trigger a substorm in experiments with the Sura heating facility.     

Lunar Tides in the Mesopause Region Obtained from Summer Temperature of the Hydroxyl Emission Layer

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The summer mesopause region (altitudes of 82–92 km) is the coldest place in the Earth’s atmosphere; it is influenced by external effects, including lunar...     

Comparison of ground-based OH temperature data measured at Irkutsk (52°N, 103°E) and Zvenigorod (56°N, 37°E) stations with Aura MLS v3.3

Data about the variations of mesopause temperature (～87 km) obtained from ground-based spectrographic measurements of the OH emission (834.0 nm, band (6-2)) at Irkutsk and Zvenigorod observatories were compared with satellite data on vertical temperature distribution in the atmosphere from Aura MLS v3.3. We analyzed MLS data for two geopotential height levels: 0.005 hPa (～84 km) and 0.002 hPa (～88 km) as the closest to OH height (～87 km). We revealed that Aura MLS temperature data have lower values than ground-based (cold bias). In summer periods, that difference increases. Aura cold biases compared with OH(6-2) at Irkutsk and Zvenigorod were calculated. For the 0.002 hPa height level, the biases are 10.1 and 9.4 K, and for 0.005 hPa they are 10.5 and 10.2 K at Irkutsk and Zvenigorod, respectively. When the bias is accounted for, an agreement between Aura MLS and OH(6-2) data obtained at both Irkutsk and Zvenigorod is remarkable.     

SOFIE PMC observations during the northern summer of 2007

This work examines the first season of polar mesospheric cloud (PMC) observations from the Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment (SOFIE). SOFIE observations of temperature, water vapor, and PMC frequency, mass density, particle shape, and size distribution are used to characterize the seasonal evolution and altitude dependence of mesospheric ice and the surrounding environment. SOFIE indicates that ice is nearly always present during summer, and that the ice layer is continuous from about 81 km altitude to the mesopause and above. Ice particles are observed to be more aspherical above and below the extinction peak altitude, suggesting a relationship between particle shape and mass density. The smallest particles are observed near the top of the ice layer while the largest particles exist at low concentrations near cloud base. A strong correlation was found between water vapor and particle size with small particles existing when H₂O is low. This relationship holds when examining variability in altitude, and variability over time at one altitude.     

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).     

Seasonal temperature variations near the mesopause according to the hydroxyl emission measurements in Zvenigorod

The rotational temperatures of hydroxyl molecules with different vibrational excitation, which were used to determine the seasonal variations in the vertical temperature distribution near the mesopause at altitudes of 85–90 km, have been obtained based on the spectral measurements of the atmospheric nightglow at IFA RAN observatory in Zvenigorod. The obtained characteristics of the annual and semiannual harmonics have been compared with their lidar and satellite measurements and model representations.     

Decameter mid-latitude sporadic-E irregularities in relation with gravity waves

HF radar observations of mid-latitude sporadic-E irregularities carried out with the Valensole radar in South France are compared with simultaneous ionosonde measurements underneath the irregularity zones. In a previous study of Valensole radar data, it has been shown that HF backscatter from the night-time mid-latitude E region is usually associated with largescale wave-like modulations. To obtain more information on the geophysical conditions prevailing during backscatter events, a new experiment was performed which also included a vertical ionosonde beneath the scattering region. The data to be presented here are from two periods when radar scattering appeared simultaneously with large variations in the virtual height and the Doppler velocity of F-layer reflected echoes measured with the vertical ionosonde, indicating very clearly the passage of atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs). The effect of the atmospheric waves on the sporadic-E layer is not always as marked as it is in the F region. In the first event, the passage of the AGWs is accompanied by an upward followed by a downward movement of the Es-layer. The apparent descending movement of the Es-layer from 135 to 110km in less than 10 min corresponded to a positive (downward) Doppler velocity of 35 m/s measured by the vertical ionosonde, and was accompanied by a range variation in the radar scattering region with a negative rate of about 90–110 m/s. In the second event, the Es-layer is not as strongly disturbed as in the previous one, but, nevertheless, the range variations of the scattering region can still be associated with height fluctuations of the Es-layer.     

Solar eclipse of the 29 March 2006: Results of the optical measurements by MORTI over Almaty (43.03°N, 76.58°E)

The observations of the upper mesosphere region (∼95 km altitude) in the period of 27–30 March 2006 using mesopause oxygen rotational temperature imager (MORTI) at Almaty (43.03°N, 76.58°E) are presented in this report to illustrate the mesosphere response to the solar eclipse (SE) event, which occurred on 29 March 2006. The nighttime volume emission rates and rotational temperatures, obtained from MORTI measurements, show appreciable differences in the pattern of wave-like oscillations observed during the period of interest. These oscillations are possibly due to the SE. Using a periodogram method the spectra of the observed wave-like oscillations, observed in the mesosphere, are examined. A physical mechanism is proposed to interpret the effects observed in terms of the mesosphere response to the total SE.     

中间层顶重力波耗散引起钠原子输送的激光雷达观测研究

利用中国科学院国家空间科学中心廊坊站(40.0°N,116.3°E)钠荧光多普勒激光雷达2011年至2013年共约82 h的钠原子数密度和垂直风观测数据,分析了廊坊地区中间层顶区域大气重力波耗散引起的钠原子输送特征.分析得到,90~100km处重力波耗散引起的平均钠原子垂直通量整体为负,钠原子向下输送,在93 km处达到最大负值-1.47×10~8m~(-3)m·s~(-1),85~90km处平均钠原子垂直通量为正,钠原子向上输送,但通量值随高度递减.钠原子垂直通量方向在90km处发生转变,垂直通量随高度的变化造成钠原子汇聚,汇聚效应引起的平均钠原子产生率最大值在91km处达到了1.40×10~8m~(-3)/h,该值超过了相同高度上模式计算流星烧蚀注入引起的钠原子产生率峰值,说明重力波耗散对钠层结构的形成具有重要影响.与美国SOR和Maui观测结果相比,平均钠原子产生率峰值大小相近,但出现高度不同,说明大气重力波耗散引起的物质输送具有显著的地域变化特征.研究结果可为大气物质输送理论的完善以及大气金属层物理模式的改进提供观测事实参考.     

Extension of MF radar tidal measurements to E-region heights (95-125 km): Saskatoon (52○N, 107○W), Canada

Efforts have been made to extend the MF radar tidal profiles to E-region heights. The totally reflected MF radar echoes from E-region heights during daytime are known to be group-retarded and the corresponding wind and tidal data will have associated height discrepancies. The estimation of the E-region real heights (Namboothiri et al., 1993), and the elimination of the data for which the group retardation is significant, are selected as the basic criteria to extend the tidal profiles to 100–125 km. The analysis of the quiet (A_p<19) days of the winter and summer seasons of 1988/89 shows that the tidal propagation continues to higher altitudes with some changes in their pattern, e.g. longer wavelengths, compared to that in the lower altitudes. Comparison with the model profiles shows some resemblance and some disagreements. The reliability of the MF radar tidal measurements of E-region heights and the propagation of tides in this region have been discussed in the light of existing theories and other experimental observations. It is concluded that, based on the initial studies with UHF and MF systems and within the limits of the available theories, the information on tides presented here for the 100–125 km region using the MF radar observations is useful. Suggestions for future work in this direction are also given.     

基于三亚VHF雷达的场向不规则体观测研究:2.东亚低纬电离层E区准周期回波

中低纬电离层E区不规则体准周期雷达回波现象,在地球不同经度区被观测到并开展了有关研究.本文利用三亚(109.6°E,18.4°N)VHF相干散射雷达2011年2月6日的观测,第一次给出了中国低纬电离层E区准周期回波的发生和变化特征.观测结果表明:准周期回波发生在地方时夜间2100—2200LT的110km高度上,与连续性回波可同时发生;准周期回波斜纹在雷达探测的高度-时间-强度(HTI)图上可延伸5～20km,持续时间为5～15min,回波斜纹高度随时间以20～30m/s下降,斜纹在HTI图上彼此间隔10km和10min左右.此外,雷达回波多普勒谱和雷达干涉分析显示不同高度准周期回波的多普勒速度随高度-时间表现出不同的变化趋势,与回波条纹斜率无明显联系,不同高度准周期回波对应的不规则体在东西方向也表现出截然不同的运动特征.分析结果表明,三亚电离层E区准周期回波的发生可能并不是由散块Es随着中性风周期性的经过雷达探测区域所致,而可能和Es中的扰动结构相关.     

Vertical velocities associated with gravity waves measured in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere with the EISCAT VHF radar

The EISCAT VHF radar (69.4°N, 19.1°E) has been used to record vertical winds at mesopause heights on a total of 31 days between June 1990 and January 1993. The data reveal a motion field dominated by quasi-monochromatic gravity waves with representative apparent periods of 30–40 min, amplitudes of up to 2.5 m s^–1 and large vertical wavelength. In some instances waves appear to be ducted. Vertical profiles of the vertical-velocity variance display a variety of forms, with little indication of systematic wave growth with height. Daily mean variance profiles evaluated for consecutive days of recording show that the general shape of the variance profiles persists over several days. The mean variance evaluated over a 10 km height range has values from 1.2 m²s^–2 to 6.5 m²s^–2 and suggests a semi-annual seasonal cycle with equinoctial minima and solsticial maxima. The mean vertical wavenumber spectrum evaluated at heights up to 86 km has a slope (spectral index) of -1.36 ± 0.2, consistent with observations at lower heights but disagreeing with the predictions of a number of saturation theories advanced to explain gravity-wave spectra. The spectral slopes evaluated for individual days have a range of values, and steeper slopes are observed in summer than in winter. The spectra also appear to be generally steeper on days with lower mean vertical-velocity variance.