Air density at heights near 200 km from the orbit of 1969-20B

The rocket of Cosmos 268, 1969-20B, entered orbit on 5 March 1969, with an initial perigee height of 230 km and inclination of 48.40°. Accurate orbits were computed at RAE from all available observations. Using the values of perigee height from the RAE orbit and decay rates from Spacetrack bulletins, 103 values of density have been calculated between July 1969 and February 1970. On three occasions when geomagnetic activity was strong there were sudden increases in density. When the density was corrected to a fixed height, the semi-annual variation was apparent. There was a strong minimum in July 1969, a maximum in October–November 1969 and a weak minimum in January 1970.     

Variations in air density at heights near 150 km, from the orbit of the satellite 1966-101G

The satellite 1966-101G was launched on 2 November 1966 into an orbit with an initial perigee height of 140 km. A satellite with such a low perigee usually decays within a few days, but 1966-101G was exceptionally dense and remained in orbit until 6 May 1967. Analysis of the changes in its orbital period provides an unique opportunity for studying continuously for six months the variations in air density at a height near 150 km.

This paper records the results of such an analysis, applicable for the (medium) level of solar activity prevailing early in 1967. It is shown that at a height of 155 km the air density is greater by day than by night, with the maximum daytime density exceeding the minimum night-time density by a factor of 1.7: in contrast the COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere 1965 predicts that the density should be slightly greater by night than by day. It is also found that the night-time density increases as solar activity increases, and that the density scale height given by CIRA 1965 at heights near 150 km is too low, perhaps by about 20%.     

Variations in air density from January 1972 to April 1975 at heights near 200 km

Variations in air density have been determined using the orbit of the satellite Cosmos 462, 1971-106A, which entered orbit on 3 December 1971 with an initial perigee near 230 km and inclination 65.75°, and decayed on 4 April 1975. Accurate orbits determined at 85 epochs give perigee height correct to about 200 m throughout the satellite's lifetime. Using these values of perigee height and orbital decay rates from NORAD elements, 604 values of air density at half a scale height above perigee have been evaluated. These densities have been compared with values from the COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere 1972, taking account of variations due to solar activity and geomagnetic disturbances, and day-to-night variations, to reveal the residual variations in density at a series of standard heights, 245, 240, 232 and 213 km.The main residual variation is semi-annual, with maxima usually in April and October, and minima usually in January and July; but it is irregular in phase and shape. The amplitude of the semi-annual variation is remarkably constant from year to year between 1972 and 1975, and considerably greater than that given by CIRA 1972: the April/July density ratio is 1.68, not 1.32 as in CIRA; the October–November maxima are all lower than the April maxima, whereas CIRA gives the opposite; the July minima are 18% lower than the January minima, as opposed to 10% in CIRA.A standardized semi-annual density variation for the early 1970s is presented, with January minimum of 0.94, April maximum of 1.28, July minimum of 0.77 and October–November maximum of 1.22. In addition, three other recurrent variations are recognizable: in each year the density has a subsidiary minimum in May and maximum in June; there are low values in mid November and high values in late December.     

Air density at heights near 200km from the orbit of 1970-65D

Cosmos 359 rocket, 1970-65D, entered orbit on 22 August 1970, with an initial perigee height of 209 km and inclination 51·2°, and decayed on 6 October 1971. Using the values of perigee height from RAE orbits and decay rates from USAF Spacetrack bulletins, 146 values of air density have been calculated between August 1970 and September 1971, mainly at heights between 180 and 230 km.On ten occasions in 1971 when there were substantial geomagnetic disturbances there were sudden increases in density, the largest being about 32 per cent.When the density was corrected to a fixed height and allowance was made for the day-tonight variation and the effects of solar activity, the dominant feature was a semi-annual variation, with maxima in density centred at 6 November 1970 and 7 April 1971, and minima centred at 5 January and 28 July 1971. The maxima in density are nearly equal and exceed the minima by about 50 per cent.     

Air density at heights near 150 km in 1970, from the orbit of Cosmos 316 (1969-108A)

Cosmos 316 (1969-108A) was launched on 23 December 1969 into an orbit with an initial perigee height of 154 km at an inclination of 49.5° to the equator. Being very massive, Cosmos 316 had a longer lifetime than any previous satellite with such a low initial perigee: it remained in orbit until 28 August 1970. Because of its interest for upper-atmosphere research, the satellite was intensively observed, and accurate orbits are being determined at RAE from all available observations. Using perigee heights from the RAE orbits so far computed, and decay rates from Spacetrack bulletins, 102 values of air density have been obtained, giving a detailed picture of the variations in density at heights near 150 km between 24 December 1969 and 28 August 1970. The three strongest geomagnetic storms, on 8 March, 21 April and 17 August 1970, are marked by sudden increases in density of at least 23, 15 and 24 per cent respectively. With values of density extending over eight months, it is possible for the first time to examine a complete cycle of the semi-annual variation at a height near 150 km: the values of density, when corrected to a fixed height, exhibit minima in mid January and early August; at the intervening maximum, in April, the density is 30 per cent higher than at the minima.     

Air density at heights near 400km from the orbit of 1963-27A

The Agena B upper-stage rocket 1963-27A was launched into a near-circular orbit, inclined at 82.3° to the Equator, on 29 June 1963. Its orbit is determined at 52 epochs over the 16 month interval prior to its decay on 26 October 1969. The resulting orbital elements are used to obtain 95 atmospheric density values, at heights near 400km. Corrected to fixed heights, and normalised to a common exospheric temperature, these values reveal the semi-annual variation in density. A comparison between the observed variation and that of a recent model atmosphere is made. Although agreement between the two is generally good, their principal differences are discussed.     

Variations in exospheric density at heights near 1100km, derived from satellite orbits

In an earlier paper, values of exospheric density were obtained from the orbit of Echo 2 for the years 1964–1965. The results indicated a semi-annual variation in density by a factor of between 2 and 3, considerably larger than predicted by existing atmospheric models.

These studies have now been extended to the beginning of 1967, using both Echo 2 and Calsphere 1, to show how the density is responding to increasing solar activity. Variations in density during 1964 have been analysed in more detail. The long-term variation associated with the solar cycle and the short-term variations associated with magnetic and solar disturbances agree with the variations expected on the basis of current models. The semi-annual variation is persisting to higher levels of solar activity, and although its amplitude is diminishing the factor of variation was still 1.6 in 1966.     

Air density at heights near 435 km from the orbit of skylab 1 (1973-27A)

On February 8, 1974, Skylab 1 was manoeuvred into a near circular orbit of inclination 50.04° and perigee near 420km. Orbital parameters have been computed at forty-six epochs thereafter using all available observations. Using these orbital elements, supplemented by orbital decay rates derived from NORAD bulletins, 193 values of air density were determined between 23 February, 1974 and 11, August, 1976. Corrected to a fixed height and normalised with respect to exospheric temperature these values reveal the semi-annual variation, exhibiting maxima in March–April and October–November, and minima in January–February and July–August. For 1974–1976 the July minima are more pronounced than the January minima whilst the April and October maxima appear equal. Overall the variation is greater than that indicated by CIRA 1972.     

Air density at heights near 300 km,from analysis of the orbit of China 2 rocket (1971-18b)

China 2 rocket, 1971-18B, was launched on 3rd March 1971 into an orbit inclined at 69.9° to the Equator, with an initial perigee height of 265 km. Analysis of its orbit has yielded values of air density at average intervals of 6 days between July 1971 and January 1972. When corrected to a fixed height, the density exhibits a correlation with the geomagnetic index A_p and the solar 10.7-cm radiation. With values of density extending over seven months it is possible to examine a complete cycle of the semi-annual variation at a height near 300 km. The values of density, corrected for the day-to-night variation and for solar and geomagnetic activity, reveal minima in mid-August and late January; at the intervening maximum, in early November, the density is almost 40% higher than at the minima.     

Determination of zonal wind speeds at heights near 530 km from the orbit of Explorer 24 (1964-76A)

The orbit of Explorer 24 (1964–1976A) has been determined at 18 epochs during the five month period prior to its decay in October 1968, using the RAE orbit refinement computer program PROP6. As a balloon, the satellite was strongly influenced by atmospheric perturbations, despite its high perigee altitude near 490 km. It therefore provided an opportunity of determining atmospheric rotation rates at high altitude. The rotation rate, Λ rev day^?1, was estimated from the observed variation in orbital inclination, after the removal of perturbations including those due to solar radiation pressure.The mean rotation rates, averaged over local time, are Λ = 0.98 for 18 May to 18 August 1968 at 542 km; Λ = 1.06 for 18 May to 13 October 1968 at 533 km.For morning conditions, Λ = 0.9 for 22 June to 20 July 1968 at 540 km; Λ = 0.8 during September 1968 at 513 km.For evening conditions, Λ = 1.1 for 18 May to 15 June 1968, and for 26 July to 7 September 1968, at 540 km and 536 km respectively; Λ = 1.3 for 28 September to 13 October 1968 at 484 km.Further, the maximum W to E zonal wind has been estimated to occur at 20.5 h local time, during the period of the analysis.     

The variation of air density at 240 and 280 km from April to November 1967

Changes in the orbital periods of two satellites, 1962-βτ6 (Injun 3 rocket) and 1965-11D (Cosmos 54 rocket), have been used to deduce the air density at heights of 240 and 280 km during April–November 1967. At both heights the generally low density observed in July and the higher density in April and October were almost certainly part of a semi-annual variation similar to that observed at other heights in the thermosphere. The ratio of the maximum (October) to minimum (July) density was about 1·8 at 240 km and 2·2 at 280 km. Superimposed upon this variation were short-lived increases in density associated with magnetic storms, the largest being of 65 per cent at 280 km on 25 May, and a periodic variation with an amplitude of up to 25 per cent from the monthly mean density, related to the 10·7 cm solar radiation flux. A diurnal variation of density was also detected with a maximum density at 14 hr and a maximum to minimum ratio of 1·7 at 280 km.     

The semi-annual variation in air density for 1974–1978 from the orbit of 1972-05B

Values of air density at 712 epochs between August 1973 and September 1978 have been determined using orbital elements of 1972-05B with orbital decay rates from NORAD bulletins. Normalised to a series of fixed heights and cleared of the effects of solar activity, geomagnetic activity and the diurnal variation, the residual air density was analysed for the semi-annual variation. This variation exhibited maxima usually in April and October and minima usually in January and July.

For 1974–1978, this study revealed near-identical values of the April and October maxima and a July minimum 12% stronger than the January minimum. Further, the shape and phase of the variation exhibited an irregular pattern from year-to-year. Overall the amplitude of the variation was considerably greater than that given in the atmospheric models (CIRA, 1972; Jacchia, 1977). Other observations included the presence of subsidiary minima and maxima in late May and June respectively during 1977 and 1978 and a general increase in air density from mid 1977 onwards, relative to the atmospheric models.     

Variations in the atmospheric neutral density at 145km

A least-squares multiple linear regression is performed on orbital decay density data obtained from precise orbital analysis of 22 low-perigee (130–160 km) Air Force satellites. Variations related to solar activity, the semi-annual effect, geomagnetic activity, and the zenith angle of the Sun are in agreement with the model of Jacchia (1971). Density variations in longitude and latitude are also deduced and compared with recent results from other investigations within this altitude regime.     

Orbital variations of satellite 1976-87a and a determination of the air density at heights of 205 – 220 km

We Investigate the orbital changes of the satellite 1976-87A (the sixth Chinese satellite) during its lifetime and from its orbital decay rate determine the air density at heights 205–220 km. The density we obtained is, on the average, over 20% greater than that in the CIRA 1972 model. We discuss in detail the correlation between changes in the density and in the geomagnetic activity, and the relationships between the geomagnetic effect and the latitude and the local solar time.     

Low latitude density variations in the earth's neutral atmosphere between 200 and 400km,from August 1969 to May 1970

The daily averages of the dawn and dusk observed exospheric temperatures (deduced from solar EUV attenuation measurements between 250 and 400 km) are presented for 280 days from day 227, 1969. They are compared with the empirical model of the US Standard Atmosphere Supplements 1966 and the Jacchia 35 H model. Although consistently lower temperatures than either model were found, a better fit to the latter rather than the former was observed. The exospheric response to solar and geomagnetic activity is investigated, and refinements to the models are suggested.     

Variations in air density,satellite drag coefficient and atmospheric rotation rate from analysis of the orbit of 1966-92D

Variations in air density, the satellite drag coefficient, and the atmospheric rotation rate at 60°S lat and 120–130 km height during the period September 1968–June 1969 have been determined from analysis of the high-eccentricity orbit of the 4th Molyniya 1 upper-stage rocket body, 1966-92D. The results show good correlation between density increases and strong geomagnetic activity, although solar flares of equal geomagnetic index value do not consistently produce density changes of equal magnitude. A 30 per cent semi-annual variation was observed, but there was no indication of the 50 per cent lower thermosphere seasonal-latitudinal variation that was predicted from the CIRA 1972 atmosphere. The satellite drag coefficient was observed to begin decreasing with height at an altitude where the molecular mean free path, λ, was twice the satellite's length. The coefficient decreased to a value approaching 1.0 as the satellite's perigee height fell below the altitude where λ was one-half the length. A mean atmospheric rotation rate of 1.1 ± 0.1 Earth rot/day was obtained for the last 20 days of decay. However, variations were observed with west-to-east wind speeds of ?100 m/sec measured for a local time of 13 hr.     

Lumped geopotential harmonics of order 14, from the orbit of 1967-11G

The satellite 1967-11G, which had an orbital inclination of 40°, passed through the 14th-order resonance with the Earth's gravitational field in 1974. The changes in its orbital inclination at resonance have been analysed to obtain values for four lumped 14th-order harmonics in the geopotential, with accuracies equivalent to about 5 cm in geoid height. Analysis of the eccentricity was also attempted, but did not yield useful results.As no previous satellite analysed at 14th-order resonance has had an inclination near 40°, the results have proved to be valuable in determining individual 14th-order harmonics in the geopotential.     

Annual and semi-annual zonal wind components and corresponding temperature and density variations, 60–130 km

From rocket and radar-meteor wind observations, annual and semi-annual components of the zonal flow are derived for latitudes N at heights between 60 and 130 km. Height regions of maximum and minimum amplitude are described with reference to changes in phase. The annual components decrease with height throughout the mesosphere and, after a reversal of phase, enhance to 25 m/sec at 100 ± 5 km. The semi-annual components have maximum amplitudes of 25 m/sec over a wide range of latitude in two height regions at 90 and 120 km and in a limited range of latitude (near 50°) at 65 km.

Calculated temperatures and log densities are discussed in terms of amplitude and phase as functions of height and latitude. Below 100 km a comparison is made with temperature amplitudes derived from independent temperature data. Above 100 km the annual temperature variation maximizes at 115 km and is particularly large at high latitudes (exceeding 50°K). On the other hand, the semi-annual component increases rapidly with height between 110 and 120 km at all latitudes maximizing at the 120 km level, where amplitudes exceed 25°K at high and low latitudes and 10°K at mid-latitudes. The annual component of log density, like the temperature variation, is largest at high latitudes up to 125 km. The semi-annual variation has a minimum at 110–115 km, above which amplitudes increase with height, reaching 5–12 per cent at 130 km according to latitude. The phases at and near 130 km for the annual and semi-annual density variations are very close to those found at greater heights from satellite orbits and amplitudes could be readily extrapolated to agree with those in the satellite region.     

Geopotential coefficients of order 29, from analysis of the orbit of satellite 1967-104B

The orbit of the satellite 1967-104B has been analysed as it passed through 29:2 resonance with the Earth's gravitational field between January 1977 and September 1978. From the changes in inclination and eccentricity the following lumped 29th-order geopotential harmonic coefficients were obtained: $\text{10}{}^9\text{C}\text{?}{}_{29}{}^{0.2}\text{= 4.1 ± 0.8}$, $\text{10}{}^9\text{S}\text{?}{}_{29}{}^{0.2}\text{= 10.3 ± 2.4}$, $\text{10}{}^9\text{C}\text{?}{}_{29}{}^{1.1}\text{= ? 160 ± 19}$, $\text{10}{}^9\text{S}\text{?}{}_{29}{}^{1.1}\text{= 79 ± 10}$, $\text{10}{}^9\text{C}\text{?}{}_{29}{}^{\mathrm{?1.3}}\text{= 38 ± 14}$, $\text{10}{}^9\text{S}\text{?}{}_{29}{}^{\mathrm{?1.3}}\text{= 19 ± 5}$. These values have been compared with existing comprehensive geopotential models: the best agreement is with the model of Rapp (1981).