The north-south asymmetry of polarization of Jupiter: The causes of seasonal variations

We present new results obtained from the analysis of the seasonal variations in the asymmetry of polarization of light reflected by Jupiter. From the 23-year set of observations, the anticorrelation between the asymmetries of polarization and insolation has been revealed. The mechanism explaining the observed seasonal variations of polarization has been proposed. The core of this mechanism is the effect of temperature changes in the planetary stratosphere on the processes of the stratospheric aerosol haze formation. Additional irregular factors that may influence the observed polarization asymmetry are considered.     

Photopolarimetric observations of Jupiter’s polar region

Peculiarities in the use of CCD matrices for photopolarimetric observations are considered. Algorithms for processing the CCD photopolarimetric and polarimetric observations of Jupiter and other bright extended objects are described with an emphasis on the specifics of these photodetectors. We present new estimates of the north-south asymmetry parameter of polarization of Jupiter obtained from the observations in 2006 and 2007. The new data are in good agreement with the previous observations.     

Air pollution over European Russia and Ukraine under the hot summer conditions of 2010

Variations in the concentrations of both primary (PM₁₀, CO, and NO_x) and secondary (ozone) pollutants in the atmosphere over the Moscow and Kirov regions, Kiev, and Crimea under the conditions of the anomalously hot summer of 2011 are given and analyzed. The concentrations of ozone, PM₁₀, CO, and NO_x in the atmosphere over the Moscow region exceeded their maximum permissible levels almost continuously from late July to late August 2010. The highest level of atmospheric pollution was observed on August 4–9, when the Moscow region was within a severe plume of forest and peatbog fires. The maximum single concentrations of ozone, which exceeded its maximum permissible level two-three times, were accompanied by high concentrations of combustion products: the concentrations of PM₁₀ and CO were also three-seven times higher than their maximum permissible concentrations. The maximum levels of air pollution were observed under the meteorological conditions that were unfavorable for pollution scattering, first of all, at a small vertical temperature gradient in the lower atmospheric boundary layer. The number of additional cases of mortality due to the exceeded maximum permissible concentrations of PM₁₀ and ozone in the atmosphere over Moscow was estimated. Under the weather conditions that were close to those for the Moscow region, the air quality remained mainly satisfactory in the Kirov region, Kiev, and Crimea, which were almost not affected by fires.     

Ozone content over the Russian federation territory in the second quarter of 2007

The review is compiled based on the results of the operation of the Total Ozone (TO) Monitoring System in the CIS and Baltic countries, functioning in the operational regime at the Central Aerological Observatory (CAO). The monitoring system uses the data from the national network of M-124 filter ozonometers, operated under the methodological control of the Main Geophysical Observatory (MGO). The quality control of the entire system is performed in real time based on the observations with the satellite OMI equipment. The basic results of TO observations for each month of the second quarter of 2007 and for a quarter as a whole are summarized. Results of regular surface ozone observations that have been carried out by CAO in the Moscow park zone since 1991 and that characterize the surface ozone state in Central Russia are also considered.     

Ozone Content over the Russian Federation in 2019

Russian Meteorology and Hydrology - The review is compiled on the basis of the results of operation of the total ozone (TO) monitoring system in Russia and neighboring countries functioning in...     

Ozone content over the Russian federation in the first quarter of 2008

The review is compiled based on the results of the operation of the Total Ozone (TO) Monitoring System in the CIS countries, functioning in the operational regime at the Central Aerological Observatory (CAO). The monitoring system uses the data from the national network of filter ozonometers, type M-124; the proper operation of the system is confirmed by the results of comparison with the TO fields obtained from observations with the OMI satellite (US NASA) equipment. The TO observation data for each month of the first quarter of 2008 and for a quarter as a whole are generalized. Results of regular surface ozone observations that have been carried out by the CAO in the Moscow park zone since 1991 and that characterize the surface ozone state in the Moscow region are also considered.     

Meteorological prerequisites of formation of severe wintertime air pollution episodes in Moscow

Large-scale and local weather conditions during severe wintertime air pollution episodes in the Moscow megalopolis are analyzed. Concentrations of CO, NO, and NO₂ obtained from the automated network of the atmosphere pollution control are used as tracers for atmospheric processes in the urban atmospheric boundary layer. It is shown that a high surface air pollution level in the city is formed at a weak wind in the lower atmosphere and only in the presence of a surface or low elevated temperature inversion. Temperature contrasts in the urban heat island generate the circulation that promotes air pollution in megapolis regions remote from large emission sources. It is supposed that in case of severe frosts the amount of anthropogenic heat in the megapolis sharply increases, promoting active turbulent mixing, thus preventing pollution accumulation in the surface air.