Articles | Volume 40, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-519-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-519-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Regular paper
| 
02 Aug 2022
Regular paper |
| 02 Aug 2022
| 02 Aug 2022
Arecibo measurements of D-region electron densities during sunset and sunrise: implications for atmospheric composition
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Institut für Solar Terrestrische Physik, Neustrelitz, Germany
Antti Kero
Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, Oulu University, Sodankylä, Finland
Shikha Raizada
National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Markus Rapp
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, Wessling, Germany
Meteorologisches Institut, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, Munich, Germany
Michael P. Sulzer
National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Pekka T. Verronen
Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, Oulu University, Sodankylä, Finland
Space and Earth Observation Centre, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Juha Vierinen
Department of Physics and Technology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Related authors
Joan Stude, Heinfried Aufmhoff, Hans Schlager, Markus Rapp, Carsten Baumann, Frank Arnold, and Boris Strelnikov
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1631, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1631, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We used a mass spectrometer on a rocket to analyze natural ions at altitudes between 60 and 120 km. Our instrument was launched in 2018 and 2021 from Norway. The heaviest particles were detected around 80 km, while medium particles could be found even above 100 km. Our measurements show that different particles are formed and not just one predominating compound. The most likely compounds that form meteor smoke particles in our measurements are made up from oxides of iron, magnesium and silicon.
Margaretha Myrvang, Carsten Baumann, and Ingrid Mann
Ann. Geophys., 39, 1055–1068, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-1055-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-1055-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Our model calculations indicate that meteoric smoke particles (MSPs) influence both the magnitude and shape of the electron temperature during artificial heating. Others have found that current theoretical models most likely overestimate heating in the D-region compared to observations. In a future study, we will compare our results to observations of the electron temperature during heating to investigate if the presence of MSPs can explain the discrepancy between model and observations.
Carsten Baumann, Margaretha Myrvang, and Ingrid Mann
Ann. Geophys., 38, 919–930, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-919-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-919-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Dust grains exist throughout our solar system. This dust is subject to destruction processes like sublimation and sputtering. Sputtering is the erosion of dust through the impact solar wind and can be very effective near the Sun. We performed calculations to find out how important the sputtering process is compared to the sublimation of dust. Recently launched spacecraft will probe the proximity of the Sun and measure the dust population. Our work will help to understand these measurements.
Carsten Baumann, Markus Rapp, and Antti Kero
Ann. Geophys., 34, 573–580, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-34-573-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-34-573-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Meteor smoke particles (MSPs), originating from evaporated meteoric matter at 60–110 km altitude, are present in the whole atmosphere including polar regions. As electron precipitation is present at high latitudes, these MSPs are bombarded by energetic electrons. The energetic electrons can enter the MSPs and excite secondary electrons. That can lead to a change of the charge state of these MSPs. The study finds that other charging processes, e.g., electron attachment, are more important.
C. Baumann, M. Rapp, A. Kero, and C.-F. Enell
Ann. Geophys., 31, 2049–2062, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-2049-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-2049-2013, 2013
Natalie Kaifler, Bernd Kaifler, Markus Rapp, Guiping Liu, Diego Janches, Gerd Baumgarten, and Jose-Luis Hormaechea
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2318, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2318, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Noctilucent clouds (NLC) are silvery clouds that can be viewed during twilight and indicate atmospheric conditions like temperature and water vapor in the upper mesosphere. High-resolution measurements from a remote-sensing laser instrument provide NLC height, brightness and occurrence rate since 2017. Most observations occur in the morning hours, likely caused by strong tidal winds, and NLC ice particles are thus transported from elsewhere to the observing location in the southern hemisphere.
Tuomas Häkkilä, Maxime Grandin, Markus Battarbee, Monika E. Szeląg, Markku Alho, Leo Kotipalo, Niilo Kalakoski, Pekka T. Verronen, and Minna Palmroth
Ann. Geophys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2024-7, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2024-7, 2024
Preprint under review for ANGEO
Short summary
Short summary
We study the atmospheric impact of auroral electron precipitation, by the novel combination of both magnetospheric and atmospheric modelling. We first simulate fluxes of auroral electrons, and then use these fluxes to model their atmospheric impact. We find an increase of up to 200 % in thermospheric odd nitrogen, and a corresponding decrease in stratospheric ozone of around 0.7 %. The produced auroral electron precipitation is realistic, and shows the potential for future studies.
Joan Stude, Heinfried Aufmhoff, Hans Schlager, Markus Rapp, Carsten Baumann, Frank Arnold, and Boris Strelnikov
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1631, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1631, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We used a mass spectrometer on a rocket to analyze natural ions at altitudes between 60 and 120 km. Our instrument was launched in 2018 and 2021 from Norway. The heaviest particles were detected around 80 km, while medium particles could be found even above 100 km. Our measurements show that different particles are formed and not just one predominating compound. The most likely compounds that form meteor smoke particles in our measurements are made up from oxides of iron, magnesium and silicon.
Bjorn Stevens, Stefan Adami, Tariq Ali, Hartwig Anzt, Zafer Aslan, Sabine Attinger, Jaana Bäck, Johanna Baehr, Peter Bauer, Natacha Bernier, Bob Bishop, Hendryk Bockelmann, Sandrine Bony, Guy Brasseur, David N. Bresch, Sean Breyer, Gilbert Brunet, Pier Luigi Buttigieg, Junji Cao, Christelle Castet, Yafang Cheng, Ayantika Dey Choudhury, Deborah Coen, Susanne Crewell, Atish Dabholkar, Qing Dai, Francisco Doblas-Reyes, Dale Durran, Ayoub El Gaidi, Charlie Ewen, Eleftheria Exarchou, Veronika Eyring, Florencia Falkinhoff, David Farrell, Piers M. Forster, Ariane Frassoni, Claudia Frauen, Oliver Fuhrer, Shahzad Gani, Edwin Gerber, Debra Goldfarb, Jens Grieger, Nicolas Gruber, Wilco Hazeleger, Rolf Herken, Chris Hewitt, Torsten Hoefler, Huang-Hsiung Hsu, Daniela Jacob, Alexandra Jahn, Christian Jakob, Thomas Jung, Christopher Kadow, In-Sik Kang, Sarah Kang, Karthik Kashinath, Katharina Kleinen-von Königslöw, Daniel Klocke, Uta Kloenne, Milan Klöwer, Chihiro Kodama, Stefan Kollet, Tobias Kölling, Jenni Kontkanen, Steve Kopp, Michal Koran, Markku Kulmala, Hanna Lappalainen, Fakhria Latifi, Bryan Lawrence, June Yi Lee, Quentin Lejeun, Christian Lessig, Chao Li, Thomas Lippert, Jürg Luterbacher, Pekka Manninen, Jochem Marotzke, Satoshi Matsouoka, Charlotte Merchant, Peter Messmer, Gero Michel, Kristel Michielsen, Tomoki Miyakawa, Jens Müller, Ramsha Munir, Sandeep Narayanasetti, Ousmane Ndiaye, Carlos Nobre, Achim Oberg, Riko Oki, Tuba Özkan-Haller, Tim Palmer, Stan Posey, Andreas Prein, Odessa Primus, Mike Pritchard, Julie Pullen, Dian Putrasahan, Johannes Quaas, Krishnan Raghavan, Venkatachalam Ramaswamy, Markus Rapp, Florian Rauser, Markus Reichstein, Aromar Revi, Sonakshi Saluja, Masaki Satoh, Vera Schemann, Sebastian Schemm, Christina Schnadt Poberaj, Thomas Schulthess, Cath Senior, Jagadish Shukla, Manmeet Singh, Julia Slingo, Adam Sobel, Silvina Solman, Jenna Spitzer, Philip Stier, Thomas Stocker, Sarah Strock, Hang Su, Petteri Taalas, John Taylor, Susann Tegtmeier, Georg Teutsch, Adrian Tompkins, Uwe Ulbrich, Pier-Luigi Vidale, Chien-Ming Wu, Hao Xu, Najibullah Zaki, Laure Zanna, Tianjun Zhou, and Florian Ziemen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 2113–2122, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-2113-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-2113-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
To manage Earth in the Anthropocene, new tools, new institutions, and new forms of international cooperation will be required. Earth Virtualization Engines is proposed as an international federation of centers of excellence to empower all people to respond to the immense and urgent challenges posed by climate change.
Devin Huyghebaert, Björn Gustavsson, Juha Vierinen, Andreas Kvammen, Matthew Zettergren, John Swoboda, Ilkka Virtanen, Spencer Hatch, and Karl M. Laundal
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-802, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-802, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The EISCAT_3D radar is a new ionospheric radar under construction in the Fennoscandia region. The radar will make measurements of plasma characteristics at altitudes above approximately 60 km. The capability of the system to make these measurements on spatial scales of less than 100 m using the multiple digitised signals from each of the radar antenna panels is highlighted. There are many ionospheric small-scale processes that will be further resolved using the techniques discussed here.
Theresa Rexer, Björn Gustavsson, Juha Vierinen, Andres Spicher, Devin Ray Huyghebaert, Andreas Kvammen, Robert Gillies, and Asti Bhatt
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-2023-18, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-2023-18, 2024
Preprint under review for GI
Short summary
Short summary
We present a second-level calibration method for electron density measurements from multi-beam incoherent scatter radars. It is based on the well-known Flat field correction method used in imaging and photography. The methods improve data quality and useability as they account for unaccounted, and unpredictable variations in the radar system. This is valuable for studies where inter-beam calibration is important such as studies of polar cap patches, plasma irregularities and turbulence.
Benjamin Witschas, Sonja Gisinger, Stephan Rahm, Andreas Dörnbrack, David C. Fritts, and Markus Rapp
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 1087–1101, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-1087-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-1087-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, a novel scan technique is applied to an airborne coherent Doppler wind lidar, enabling us to measure the vertical wind speed and the horizontal wind speed along flight direction simultaneously with a horizontal resolution of about 800 m and a vertical resolution of 100 m. The performed observations are valuable for gravity wave characterization as they allow us to calculate the leg-averaged momentum flux profile and, with that, the propagation direction of excited gravity waves.
Johann Stamm, Juha Vierinen, Björn Gustavsson, and Andres Spicher
Ann. Geophys., 41, 55–67, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-55-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-55-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The study of some ionospheric events benefit from the knowledge of how the physics varies over a volume and over time. Examples are studies of aurora or energy deposition. With EISCAT3D, measurements of ion velocity vectors in a volume will be possible for the first time. We present a technique that uses a set of such measurements to estimate electric field and neutral wind. The technique relies on adding restrictions to the estimates. We successfully consider restrictions based on physics.
Natalie Kaifler, Bernd Kaifler, Markus Rapp, and David C. Fritts
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 949–961, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-949-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-949-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We used a lidar to measure polar mesospheric clouds from a balloon floating in the upper stratosphere. The thin-layered ice clouds at 83 km altitude are perturbed by waves. The high-resolution lidar soundings reveal small-scale structures induced by the breaking of those waves. We study these patterns and find that they occur very often. We show their morphology and discuss associated dynamical physical processes, which help to interpret case studies and to guide modelling.
Hans-Christoph Lachnitt, Peter Hoor, Daniel Kunkel, Martina Bramberger, Andreas Dörnbrack, Stefan Müller, Philipp Reutter, Andreas Giez, Thorsten Kaluza, and Markus Rapp
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 355–373, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-355-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-355-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We present an analysis of high-resolution airborne measurements during a flight of the DEEPWAVE 2014 campaign in New Zealand. The focus of this flight was to study the effects of enhanced mountain wave activity over the Southern Alps. We discuss changes in the upstream and downstream distributions of N2O and CO and show that these changes are related to turbulence-induced trace gas fluxes which have persistent effects on the trace gas composition in the lower stratosphere.
Natalie Kaifler, Bernd Kaifler, Markus Rapp, and David C. Fritts
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 4923–4934, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-4923-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-4923-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We measured polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs), our Earth’s highest clouds at the edge of space, with a Rayleigh lidar from a stratospheric balloon. We describe how we derive the cloud’s brightness and discuss the stability of the gondola pointing and the sensitivity of our measurements. We present our high-resolution PMC dataset that is used to study dynamical processes in the upper mesosphere, e.g. regarding gravity waves, mesospheric bores, vortex rings, and Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities.
Knut Ola Dølven, Juha Vierinen, Roberto Grilli, Jack Triest, and Bénédicte Ferré
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 11, 293–306, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-11-293-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-11-293-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Sensors capable of measuring rapid fluctuations are important to improve our understanding of environmental processes. Many sensors are unable to do this, due to their reliance on the transfer of the measured property, for instance a gas, across a semi-permeable barrier. We have developed a mathematical tool which enables the retrieval of fast-response signals from sensors with this type of sensor design.
David A. Newnham, Mark A. Clilverd, William D. J. Clark, Michael Kosch, Pekka T. Verronen, and Alan E. E. Rogers
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 2361–2376, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2361-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2361-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Ozone (O3) is an important trace gas in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT), affecting heating rates and chemistry. O3 profiles measured by the Ny-Ålesund Ozone in the Mesosphere Instrument agree with Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) for winter night-time, but autumn twilight SABER abundances are up to 50 % higher. O3 abundances in the MLT from two different SABER channels also show significant differences for both autumn twilight and summer daytime.
Derek McKay, Juha Vierinen, Antti Kero, and Noora Partamies
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 11, 25–35, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-11-25-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-11-25-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
When radio waves from our galaxy enter the Earth's atmosphere, they are absorbed by electrons in the upper atmosphere. It was thought that by measuring the amount of absorption, it would allow the height of these electrons in the atmosphere to be determined. If so, this would have significance for future instrument design. However, this paper demonstrates that it is not possible to do this, but it does explain how multiple-frequency measurements can nevertheless be useful.
Stefanie Knobloch, Bernd Kaifler, and Markus Rapp
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-310, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-310, 2022
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
The study tests the quality of temperature measurements from the airborne Rayleigh lidar ALIMA. The ALIMA system was first used during the SouthTRAC campaign in September 2019 in the vicinity of the Southern Andes, Drake Passage and Antarctic Peninsula. The raw lidar measurements are additionally simulated based on reanalysis data for one research flight. Different types of uncertainty influencing the accuracy of the temperature measurements are studied, e.g. atmospheric and technical sources.
Margaretha Myrvang, Carsten Baumann, and Ingrid Mann
Ann. Geophys., 39, 1055–1068, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-1055-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-1055-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Our model calculations indicate that meteoric smoke particles (MSPs) influence both the magnitude and shape of the electron temperature during artificial heating. Others have found that current theoretical models most likely overestimate heating in the D-region compared to observations. In a future study, we will compare our results to observations of the electron temperature during heating to investigate if the presence of MSPs can explain the discrepancy between model and observations.
Johann Stamm, Juha Vierinen, and Björn Gustavsson
Ann. Geophys., 39, 961–974, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-961-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-961-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Measurements of the electric field and neutral wind in the ionosphere are important for understanding energy flows or electric currents. With incoherent scatter radars (ISRs), we can measure the velocity of the ions, which depends on both the electrical field and the neutral wind. In this paper, we investigate methods to use ISR data to find reasonable values for both parameters. We find that electric field can be well measured down to 125 km height and neutral wind below this height.
Pekka T. Verronen, Antti Kero, Noora Partamies, Monika E. Szeląg, Shin-Ichiro Oyama, Yoshizumi Miyoshi, and Esa Turunen
Ann. Geophys., 39, 883–897, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-883-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-883-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This paper is the first to simulate and analyse the pulsating aurorae impact on middle atmosphere on monthly/seasonal timescales. We find that pulsating aurorae have the potential to make a considerable contribution to the total energetic particle forcing and increase the impact on upper stratospheric odd nitrogen and ozone in the polar regions. Thus, it should be considered in atmospheric and climate simulations.
Mareike Heckl, Andreas Fix, Matthias Jirousek, Franz Schreier, Jian Xu, and Markus Rapp
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 1689–1713, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1689-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1689-2021, 2021
Minna Palmroth, Maxime Grandin, Theodoros Sarris, Eelco Doornbos, Stelios Tourgaidis, Anita Aikio, Stephan Buchert, Mark A. Clilverd, Iannis Dandouras, Roderick Heelis, Alex Hoffmann, Nickolay Ivchenko, Guram Kervalishvili, David J. Knudsen, Anna Kotova, Han-Li Liu, David M. Malaspina, Günther March, Aurélie Marchaudon, Octav Marghitu, Tomoko Matsuo, Wojciech J. Miloch, Therese Moretto-Jørgensen, Dimitris Mpaloukidis, Nils Olsen, Konstantinos Papadakis, Robert Pfaff, Panagiotis Pirnaris, Christian Siemes, Claudia Stolle, Jonas Suni, Jose van den IJssel, Pekka T. Verronen, Pieter Visser, and Masatoshi Yamauchi
Ann. Geophys., 39, 189–237, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-189-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-189-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This is a review paper that summarises the current understanding of the lower thermosphere–ionosphere (LTI) in terms of measurements and modelling. The LTI is the transition region between space and the atmosphere and as such of tremendous importance to both the domains of space and atmosphere. The paper also serves as the background for European Space Agency Earth Explorer 10 candidate mission Daedalus.
Joan Stude, Heinfried Aufmhoff, Hans Schlager, Markus Rapp, Frank Arnold, and Boris Strelnikov
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 983–993, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-983-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-983-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper we describe the instrument ROMARA and show data from the first flight on a research rocket.
On the way through the atmosphere, the instrument detects positive and negative, natural occurring ions before returning back to ground.
ROMARA was successfully launched together with other instruments into a special radar echo.
We detected typical, light ions of positive and negative charge and heavy negative ions, but no heavy positive ions.
Johann Stamm, Juha Vierinen, Juan M. Urco, Björn Gustavsson, and Jorge L. Chau
Ann. Geophys., 39, 119–134, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-119-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-119-2021, 2021
Tuomas Häkkilä, Pekka T. Verronen, Luis Millán, Monika E. Szeląg, Niilo Kalakoski, and Antti Kero
Ann. Geophys., 38, 1299–1312, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1299-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1299-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The atmospheric impacts of energetic particle precipitation (EPP) can be useful in understanding the uncertainties of measuring the precipitation. Hence, information on how strong of an EPP flux has observable atmospheric impacts is needed. In this study, we find such threshold flux values using odd hydrogen concentrations from both satellite observations and model simulations. We consider the effects of solar proton events and radiation belt electron precipitation in the middle atmosphere.
Jia Jia, Antti Kero, Niilo Kalakoski, Monika E. Szeląg, and Pekka T. Verronen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 14969–14982, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14969-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14969-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Recent studies have reported up to a 10 % average decrease of lower stratospheric ozone at 20 km altitude following solar proton events (SPEs). Our study uses 49 events that occurred after the launch of Aura MLS (July 2004–now) and 177 events that occurred in the WACCM-D simulation period (Jan 1989–Dec 2012) to evaluate ozone changes following SPEs. The statistical and case-by-case studies show no solid evidence of SPE's direct impact on the lower stratospheric ozone.
Carsten Baumann, Margaretha Myrvang, and Ingrid Mann
Ann. Geophys., 38, 919–930, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-919-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-919-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Dust grains exist throughout our solar system. This dust is subject to destruction processes like sublimation and sputtering. Sputtering is the erosion of dust through the impact solar wind and can be very effective near the Sun. We performed calculations to find out how important the sputtering process is compared to the sublimation of dust. Recently launched spacecraft will probe the proximity of the Sun and measure the dust population. Our work will help to understand these measurements.
Niilo Kalakoski, Pekka T. Verronen, Annika Seppälä, Monika E. Szeląg, Antti Kero, and Daniel R. Marsh
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 8923–8938, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-8923-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-8923-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Effects of solar proton events (SPEs) on middle atmosphere chemistry were studied using the WACCM-D chemistry–climate model, including an improved representation of lower ionosphere ion chemistry. This study includes 66 events in the years 1989–2012 and uses a statistical approach to determine the impact of the improved chemistry scheme. The differences shown highlight the importance of ion chemistry in models used to study energetic particle precipitation.
Daniel Kastinen, Torbjørn Tveito, Juha Vierinen, and Mikael Granvik
Ann. Geophys., 38, 861–879, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-861-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-861-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We have applied three different methods to examine the observability, both tracking and discovery, of near-Earth objects (NEOs) by the EISCAT 3D radar system currently under construction. There are, to our knowledge, no previous studies on the expected discovery rates of NEOs using radar systems. We show that it is feasible to regularly track NEOs and mini-moons. We also show it is possible to discover new NEOs and mini-moons with EISCAT 3D, something never before done with radar systems.
Pekka T. Verronen, Daniel R. Marsh, Monika E. Szeląg, and Niilo Kalakoski
Ann. Geophys., 38, 833–844, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-833-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-833-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
This paper is the first to study how the representation of the magnetic-local-time (MLT) dependency of electron precipitation impacts middle-atmospheric-ozone response on monthly timescales. We use a state-of-the-art chemistry–climate model with detailed lower-ionospheric chemistry for an advanced representation of atmospheric impacts of electron forcing. We find that the use of daily zonal-mean electron forcing will provide an accurate ozone response in long-term climate simulations.
Robert Reichert, Bernd Kaifler, Natalie Kaifler, Markus Rapp, Pierre-Dominique Pautet, Michael J. Taylor, Alexander Kozlovsky, Mark Lester, and Rigel Kivi
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 5997–6015, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-5997-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-5997-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
To determine gravity wave properties like wavelengths, periods and propagation directions at mesospheric altitudes (∼ 86 km) we combine lidar and airglow temperature and meteor radar wind data. By means of wavelet transformation we investigate the wave field and determine intrinsic wave properties as functions of time and period. We are able to identify several gravity wave packets by their distinct propagation and discover a superposition with possible wave–wave and wave–mean-flow interaction.
Boris Strelnikov, Martin Eberhart, Martin Friedrich, Jonas Hedin, Mikhail Khaplanov, Gerd Baumgarten, Bifford P. Williams, Tristan Staszak, Heiner Asmus, Irina Strelnikova, Ralph Latteck, Mykhaylo Grygalashvyly, Franz-Josef Lübken, Josef Höffner, Raimund Wörl, Jörg Gumbel, Stefan Löhle, Stefanos Fasoulas, Markus Rapp, Aroh Barjatya, Michael J. Taylor, and Pierre-Dominique Pautet
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 11443–11460, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-11443-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-11443-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Sounding rockets are the only means of measuring small-scale structures (i.e., spatial scales of kilometers to centimeters) in the Earth's middle atmosphere (50–120 km). We present and analyze brand-new high-resolution measurements of atomic oxygen (O) concentration together with high-resolution measurements of ionospheric plasma and neutral air parameters. We found a new behavior of the O inside turbulent layers, which might be essential to adequately model weather and climate.
Martin Eberhart, Stefan Löhle, Boris Strelnikov, Jonas Hedin, Mikhail Khaplanov, Stefanos Fasoulas, Jörg Gumbel, Franz-Josef Lübken, and Markus Rapp
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 2445–2461, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-2445-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-2445-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This paper describes the measurement of atomic oxygen in the upper atmosphere onboard sounding rockets using solid electrolyte sensors. Calibration of the sensors in the laboratory is explained in detail. Results from the WADIS-2 rocket campaign show profiles of atomic oxygen density with a high spatial resolution.
Jorge Luis Chau, Juan Miguel Urco, Juha Pekka Vierinen, Ryan Andrew Volz, Matthias Clahsen, Nico Pfeffer, and Jörg Trautner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 2113–2127, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-2113-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-2113-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
New systems to study the mesosphere are introduced. They result from the reengineering of previous systems, by making use of MIMO, spread-spectrum and compressed-sensing techniques that are widely used in telecommunications. The interferometer configuration is now implemented in transmission, making the location of meteor echoes possible with just one antenna on reception. Our novel concept makes the study of a mesosphere volume from different viewing points on the ground feasible and easy.
Mario Nachbar, Henrike Wilms, Denis Duft, Tasha Aylett, Kensei Kitajima, Takuya Majima, John M. C. Plane, Markus Rapp, and Thomas Leisner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 4311–4322, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-4311-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-4311-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Polar mesospheric clouds (PMC) are water ice clouds forming on nanoparticles in the polar summer mesopause. We investigate the impact of solar radiation on PMC formation in the laboratory. We show that Mie theory calculations combined with an equilibrium temperature model presented in this work predict the warming of the particles very well. Using this model we demonstrate that the impact of solar radiation on ice particle formation is significantly lower than previously assumed.
David A. Newnham, Mark A. Clilverd, Michael Kosch, Annika Seppälä, and Pekka T. Verronen
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 1375–1392, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-1375-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-1375-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
A simulation study has been carried out to investigate the potential for observing ozone and hydroxyl radical abundances in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere using ground-based passive microwave radiometry. In the polar middle atmosphere these chemical species respond strongly to geomagnetic activity associated with space weather. The results show that measuring diurnal variations in ozone and hydroxyl from high-latitude Northern Hemisphere and Antarctic locations would be possible.
Mykhaylo Grygalashvyly, Martin Eberhart, Jonas Hedin, Boris Strelnikov, Franz-Josef Lübken, Markus Rapp, Stefan Löhle, Stefanos Fasoulas, Mikhail Khaplanov, Jörg Gumbel, and Ekaterina Vorobeva
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 1207–1220, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1207-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1207-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Based on rocket-borne true common volume observations of atomic oxygen, atmospheric band emission (762 nm), and background atmosphere density and temperature, one-step, two-step, and combined mechanisms of
O2(b1Σg+) formation were analyzed. We found new coefficients for the fit function based on self-consistent temperature, atomic oxygen, and volume emission observations. This can be used for atmospheric band volume emission modeling or the estimation of atomic oxygen by known volume emission.
John M. C. Plane, Wuhu Feng, Juan Carlos Gómez Martín, Michael Gerding, and Shikha Raizada
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 14799–14811, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-14799-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-14799-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Meteoric ablation creates layers of metal atoms in the atmosphere around 90 km. Although Ca and Na have similar elemental abundances in most minerals found in the solar system, surprisingly the Ca abundance in the atmosphere is less than 1 % that of Na. This study uses a detailed chemistry model of Ca, largely based on laboratory kinetics measurements, in a whole-atmosphere model to show that the depletion is caused by inefficient ablation of Ca and the formation of stable molecular reservoirs.
Andreas Dörnbrack, Sonja Gisinger, Natalie Kaifler, Tanja Christina Portele, Martina Bramberger, Markus Rapp, Michael Gerding, Jens Faber, Nedjeljka Žagar, and Damjan Jelić
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 12915–12931, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-12915-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-12915-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
A deep upper-air sounding stimulated the current investigation of internal gravity waves excited during a minor sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) in the Arctic winter 2015/16. The analysis of the radiosonde profile revealed large kinetic and potential energies in the upper stratosphere without any simultaneous enhancement of upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric values. In combination with high-resolution meteorological analyses we identified an elevated source of gravity wave excitation.
Jorge L. Chau, Derek McKay, Juha P. Vierinen, Cesar La Hoz, Thomas Ulich, Markku Lehtinen, and Ralph Latteck
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 9547–9560, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-9547-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-9547-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Combining a phased-array power radar and a phased-array radio telescope, we have been able to identify and characterized horizontal structures and movement of noctilucent clouds, but at 3 m scales instead of optical scales. As a byproduct of our observations, we have studied their angular dependence. We show a new alternative to study these clouds on routine basis and therefore study the atmospheric dynamics that modulate them.
Erkki Kyrölä, Monika E. Andersson, Pekka T. Verronen, Marko Laine, Simo Tukiainen, and Daniel R. Marsh
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 5001–5019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-5001-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-5001-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
In this work we compare three key constituents of the middle atmosphere (ozone, NO2, and NO3) from the GOMOS satellite instrument with the WACCM model. We find that in the stratosphere (below 50 km) ozone differences are very small, but in the mesosphere large deviations are found. GOMOS and WACCM NO2 agree reasonably well except in the polar areas. These differences can be connected to the solar particle storms. For NO3, WACCM results agree with GOMOS with a very high correlation.
Qiang Li, Markus Rapp, Gunter Stober, and Ralph Latteck
Ann. Geophys., 36, 577–586, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-577-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-577-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
With the powerful MAARSY radar, we detected 3D wind fields and the vertical winds show a non-Gaussian distribution. We further obtained the frequency spectrum of vertical wind. The distribution of the spectral slopes under different wind conditions is derived and their comparisons with the background horizontal winds show that the spectra become steeper with increasing wind velocities under quiet conditions, approach a slope of −5/3 at 10 m/s and then maintain this slope for even stronger winds.
Markus Rapp, Andreas Dörnbrack, and Bernd Kaifler
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 1031–1048, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-1031-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-1031-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Temperature profiles from operational weather satellites are used to determine the global distribution of gravity wave activity. This is an important information to constrain global climate models. The quality of this data set is assessed by
systematic comparison to model fields from ECMWF which are considered very high quality. This reveals good agreement between model and observations, albeit the model misses localized centers of wave activity if model resolution is too low.
Derek McKay, Noora Partamies, and Juha Vierinen
Ann. Geophys., 36, 59–69, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-59-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-59-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
This study used the Kilpisjärvi Atmospheric Imaging Receiver Array (KAIRA) and Finnish Meteorological Institute's all-sky camera. It looked at radio absorption and optical emission of the long east–west band of aurora (known as the growth phase arc), which forms at the start of substorms. The study found that radio absorption was consistently south of the bright auroral arc and that optical pulsating aurora occurs in the boundary region between the radio absorption zone and the bright arc.
Isabell Krisch, Peter Preusse, Jörn Ungermann, Andreas Dörnbrack, Stephen D. Eckermann, Manfred Ern, Felix Friedl-Vallon, Martin Kaufmann, Hermann Oelhaf, Markus Rapp, Cornelia Strube, and Martin Riese
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 14937–14953, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-14937-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-14937-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Using the infrared limb imager GLORIA, the 3-D structure of mesoscale gravity waves in the lower stratosphere was measured for the first time, allowing for a complete 3-D characterization of the waves. This enables the precise determination of the sources of the waves in the mountain regions of Iceland with backward ray tracing. Forward ray tracing shows oblique propagation, an effect generally neglected in global atmospheric models.
Romy Heller, Christiane Voigt, Stuart Beaton, Andreas Dörnbrack, Andreas Giez, Stefan Kaufmann, Christian Mallaun, Hans Schlager, Johannes Wagner, Kate Young, and Markus Rapp
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 14853–14869, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-14853-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-14853-2017, 2017
Heiner Asmus, Tristan Staszak, Boris Strelnikov, Franz-Josef Lübken, Martin Friedrich, and Markus Rapp
Ann. Geophys., 35, 979–998, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-979-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-979-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
This work sheds new light on the size distribution of dust grains of meteoric origin in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region using rocket-borne instrumentation. We found that a large number of very small (~ 0.5 nm) particles are charged and therefore have a significant influence on the charge balance of the lower ionosphere.
Katja Matthes, Bernd Funke, Monika E. Andersson, Luke Barnard, Jürg Beer, Paul Charbonneau, Mark A. Clilverd, Thierry Dudok de Wit, Margit Haberreiter, Aaron Hendry, Charles H. Jackman, Matthieu Kretzschmar, Tim Kruschke, Markus Kunze, Ulrike Langematz, Daniel R. Marsh, Amanda C. Maycock, Stergios Misios, Craig J. Rodger, Adam A. Scaife, Annika Seppälä, Ming Shangguan, Miriam Sinnhuber, Kleareti Tourpali, Ilya Usoskin, Max van de Kamp, Pekka T. Verronen, and Stefan Versick
Geosci. Model Dev., 10, 2247–2302, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-10-2247-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-10-2247-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The solar forcing dataset for climate model experiments performed for the upcoming IPCC report is described. This dataset provides the radiative and particle input of solar variability on a daily basis from 1850 through to 2300. With this dataset a better representation of natural climate variability with respect to the output of the Sun is provided which provides the most sophisticated and comprehensive respresentation of solar variability that has been used in climate model simulations so far.
Boris Strelnikov, Artur Szewczyk, Irina Strelnikova, Ralph Latteck, Gerd Baumgarten, Franz-Josef Lübken, Markus Rapp, Stefanos Fasoulas, Stefan Löhle, Martin Eberhart, Ulf-Peter Hoppe, Tim Dunker, Martin Friedrich, Jonas Hedin, Mikhail Khaplanov, Jörg Gumbel, and Aroh Barjatya
Ann. Geophys., 35, 547–565, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-547-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-547-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The WADIS sounding rocket mission utilized multi-point turbulence measurements in the mesosphere by different techniques, i.e., with ionization gauges carried by rockets and ground-based MAARSY and EISCAT radars. Results show that turbulence energy dissipation rates oscillate in space and time with amplitude of up to 2 orders of magnitude. Spatial oscillations show the same wavelengths as atmospheric gravity waves. Temporal variability reveals periods of atmospheric tides and gravity waves.
Johannes Wagner, Andreas Dörnbrack, Markus Rapp, Sonja Gisinger, Benedikt Ehard, Martina Bramberger, Benjamin Witschas, Fernando Chouza, Stephan Rahm, Christian Mallaun, Gerd Baumgarten, and Peter Hoor
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 4031–4052, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-4031-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-4031-2017, 2017
Bernd Funke, William Ball, Stefan Bender, Angela Gardini, V. Lynn Harvey, Alyn Lambert, Manuel López-Puertas, Daniel R. Marsh, Katharina Meraner, Holger Nieder, Sanna-Mari Päivärinta, Kristell Pérot, Cora E. Randall, Thomas Reddmann, Eugene Rozanov, Hauke Schmidt, Annika Seppälä, Miriam Sinnhuber, Timofei Sukhodolov, Gabriele P. Stiller, Natalia D. Tsvetkova, Pekka T. Verronen, Stefan Versick, Thomas von Clarmann, Kaley A. Walker, and Vladimir Yushkov
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 3573–3604, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-3573-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-3573-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Simulations from eight atmospheric models have been compared to tracer and temperature observations from seven satellite instruments in order to evaluate the energetic particle indirect effect (EPP IE) during the perturbed northern hemispheric (NH) winter 2008/2009. Models are capable to reproduce the EPP IE in dynamically and geomagnetically quiescent NH winter conditions. The results emphasize the need for model improvements in the dynamical representation of elevated stratopause events.
Qiang Li, Markus Rapp, Anne Schrön, Andreas Schneider, and Gunter Stober
Ann. Geophys., 34, 1209–1229, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-34-1209-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-34-1209-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Turbulence is an essential process in the atmosphere and ocean. Clear-air turbulence is a well-known threat for the safety of aviation. Using a powerful MST radar, we detected turbulence and compared it with the results from radiosondes. The correlation between turbulence and background conditions, e.g., Richardson number and wind shears, is determined. There is a nearly negative correlation between turbulence and Richardson number independent of the length scale over which it was calculated.
Tamás Kovács, John M. C. Plane, Wuhu Feng, Tibor Nagy, Martyn P. Chipperfield, Pekka T. Verronen, Monika E. Andersson, David A. Newnham, Mark A. Clilverd, and Daniel R. Marsh
Geosci. Model Dev., 9, 3123–3136, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-9-3123-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-9-3123-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
This study was completed on D-region atmospheric model development. The sophisticated 3-D Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) and the 1-D Sodynkalä Ion and Neutral Chemistry Model (SIC) were combined in order to provide a detailed, accurate model (WACCM-SIC) that considers the processes taking place in solar proton events. The original SIC model was reduced by mechanism reduction, which provided an accurate sub-mechanism (rSIC, WACCM-rSIC) of the original model.
Carsten Baumann, Markus Rapp, and Antti Kero
Ann. Geophys., 34, 573–580, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-34-573-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-34-573-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Meteor smoke particles (MSPs), originating from evaporated meteoric matter at 60–110 km altitude, are present in the whole atmosphere including polar regions. As electron precipitation is present at high latitudes, these MSPs are bombarded by energetic electrons. The energetic electrons can enter the MSPs and excite secondary electrons. That can lead to a change of the charge state of these MSPs. The study finds that other charging processes, e.g., electron attachment, are more important.
B. Ehard, B. Kaifler, N. Kaifler, and M. Rapp
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 8, 4645–4655, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-4645-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-4645-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
We evalute four methods currently used for gravity wave extraction from lidar temperature measurements. The spectral response of these methods is determined with the help of synthetic temperature perturbations. Afterwards, the methods are applied to lidar temperature measurements over New Zealand for further evaluation of the four algorithms. Based on the results two methods are recommended for gravity wave extraction.
M. Placke, P. Hoffmann, and M. Rapp
Ann. Geophys., 33, 1091–1096, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-1091-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-1091-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Imposed momentum from mesospheric breaking gravity waves (GWs) is conserved by a balance between vertical divergence of GW momentum flux and Coriolis acceleration of the mean meridional wind. We present the first experimental verification of the momentum balance from the Saura MF radar at 69°N. For contributions from GWs only this balance is fulfilled between 70 and 100km during summer when GWs dominate the mesospheric dynamics, but it does not exist in winter due to planetary wave impacts.
P. T. Verronen, M. E. Andersson, A. Kero, C.-F. Enell, J. M. Wissing, E. R. Talaat, K. Kauristie, M. Palmroth, T. E. Sarris, and E. Armandillo
Ann. Geophys., 33, 381–394, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-381-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-381-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Electron concentrations observed by EISCAT radars can be reasonable well represented using AIMOS v1.2 satellite-data-based ionization model and SIC D-region ion chemistry model. SIC-EISCAT difference varies from event to event, probably because the statistical nature of AIMOS ionization is not capturing all the spatio-temporal fine structure of electron precipitation. Below 90km, AIMOS overestimates electron ionization because of proton contamination of the satellite electron detectors.
V. Matthias, T. G. Shepherd, P. Hoffmann, and M. Rapp
Ann. Geophys., 33, 199–206, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-199-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-199-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
A vertical coupling process in the northern high-latitude middle atmosphere has been identified during the equinox transitions, which we call the “hiccup” and which acts like a “mini sudden stratospheric warming (SSW)”. We study the average characteristics of the hiccup based on a composite analysis using a nudged model. A comparison of the average characteristics of hiccups and SSWs shows both similarities and differences between the two vertical coupling processes.
M. E. Andersson, P. T. Verronen, C. J. Rodger, M. A. Clilverd, and S. Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 1095–1105, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-1095-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-1095-2014, 2014
H. Wilms, M. Rapp, P. Hoffmann, J. Fiedler, and G. Baumgarten
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 11951–11963, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-11951-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-11951-2013, 2013
C. Baumann, M. Rapp, A. Kero, and C.-F. Enell
Ann. Geophys., 31, 2049–2062, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-2049-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-2049-2013, 2013
G. Stober, S. Sommer, M. Rapp, and R. Latteck
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 6, 2893–2905, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-2893-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-2893-2013, 2013
V. Matthias, P. Hoffmann, A. Manson, C. Meek, G. Stober, P. Brown, and M. Rapp
Ann. Geophys., 31, 1397–1415, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-1397-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-1397-2013, 2013
P. T. Verronen and R. Lehmann
Ann. Geophys., 31, 909–956, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-909-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-909-2013, 2013
G. Stober, C. Schult, C. Baumann, R. Latteck, and M. Rapp
Ann. Geophys., 31, 473–487, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-473-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-473-2013, 2013
I. Strelnikova and M. Rapp
Ann. Geophys., 31, 359–375, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-359-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-359-2013, 2013
M. Rapp, J. M. C. Plane, B. Strelnikov, G. Stober, S. Ernst, J. Hedin, M. Friedrich, and U.-P. Hoppe
Ann. Geophys., 30, 1661–1673, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-30-1661-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-30-1661-2012, 2012
Related subject area
Subject: Earth's ionosphere & aeronomy | Keywords: Ionosphere–atmosphere interactions
Calibrating estimates of ionospheric long-term change
On the importance of middle-atmosphere observations on ionospheric dynamics using WACCM-X and SAMI3
Analysis of in situ measurements of electron, ion and neutral temperatures in the lower thermosphere–ionosphere
Investigation of PMSE layers during solar maximum and solar minimum
Effects of the terdiurnal tide on the sporadic E (Es) layer development at low latitudes over the Brazilian sector
Mid-latitude neutral wind responses to sub-auroral polarization streams
Entangled dynamos and Joule heating in the Earth's ionosphere
Evidence of vertical coupling: meteorological storm Fabienne on 23 September 2018 and its related effects observed up to the ionosphere
Quasi-10 d wave modulation of an equatorial ionization anomaly during the Southern Hemisphere stratospheric warming of 2002
Quarterdiurnal signature in sporadic E occurrence rates and comparison with neutral wind shear
Christopher John Scott, Matthew N. Wild, Luke Anthony Barnard, Bingkun Yu, Tatsuhiro Yokoyama, Michael Lockwood, Cathryn Mitchel, John Coxon, and Andrew Kavanagh
Ann. Geophys., 42, 395–418, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-395-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-395-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Long-term change in the ionosphere are expected due to increases in greenhouse gases in the lower atmosphere. Empirical formulae are used to estimate height. Through comparison with independent data we show that there are seasonal and long-term biases introduced by the empirical model. We conclude that estimates of long-term changes in ionospheric height need to account for these biases.
Fabrizio Sassi, Angeline G. Burrell, Sarah E. McDonald, Jennifer L. Tate, and John P. McCormack
Ann. Geophys., 42, 255–269, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-255-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-255-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study shows how middle-atmospheric data (starting at 40 km) affect day-to-day ionospheric variability. We do this by using lower atmospheric measurements that include and exclude the middle atmosphere in a coupled ionosphere–thermosphere model. Comparing the two simulations reveals differences in two thermosphere–ionosphere coupling mechanisms. Additionally, comparison against observations showed that including the middle-atmospheric data improved the resulting ionosphere.
Panagiotis Pirnaris and Theodoros Sarris
Ann. Geophys., 41, 339–354, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-339-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-339-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The relation between electron, ion and neutral temperatures in the lower thermosphere–ionosphere (LTI) is key to understanding the energy balance and transfer between species. However, their simultaneous measurement is rare in the LTI. Based on data from the AE-C, AE-D, AE-E and DE-2 satellites of the 1970s and 1980s, a large number of events where neutrals are hotter than ions are identified and statistically analyzed. Potential mechanisms that could trigger these events are proposed.
Dorota Jozwicki, Puneet Sharma, Devin Huyghebaert, and Ingrid Mann
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-977, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-977, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated the relationship between PMSE layers and the solar cycle. Our results indicate that PMSE altitude, echo power, and layer thickness are on average higher during solar maximum than solar minimum. Higher electron densities at ionospheric altitudes might be necessary to observe multi-layered PMSE. We observed that the thickness decreases as the number of multi-layers increase. We hypothesized that the thickness of PMSE layers may be related to the vertical wavelength of gravity waves
Pedro Alves Fontes, Marcio Tadeu de Assis Honorato Muella, Laysa Cristina Araújo Resende, Vânia Fátima Andrioli, Paulo Roberto Fagundes, Valdir Gil Pillat, Paulo Prado Batista, and Alexander Jose Carrasco
Ann. Geophys., 41, 209–224, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-209-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-209-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In the terrestrial ionosphere, sporadic (metallic) layers are formed. The formation of these layers are related to the action of atmospheric waves. These waves, also named tides, are due to the absorption of solar radiation in the atmosphere. We investigated the role of the tides with 8 h period in the formation of the sporadic layers. The study was conducted using ionosonde and meteor radar data, as well as computing simulations. The 8 h tides intensified the density of the sporadic layers.
Daniel D. Billett, Kathryn A. McWilliams, Robert B. Kerr, Jonathan J. Makela, Alex T. Chartier, J. Michael Ruohoniemi, Sudha Kapali, Mike A. Migliozzi, and Juanita Riccobono
Ann. Geophys., 40, 571–583, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-571-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-571-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Sub-auroral polarisation streams (SAPSs) are very fast plasma flows that occur at mid-latitudes, which can affect the atmosphere. In this paper, we use four ground-based radars to obtain a wide coverage of SAPSs that occurred over the USA, along with interferometer cameras in Virginia and Massachusetts to measure winds. The winds are strongly affected but in different ways, implying that the balance forces on the atmosphere is strongly dependent on proximity to the disturbance.
Stephan C. Buchert
Ann. Geophys., 38, 1019–1030, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1019-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-1019-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Winds in the Earth's upper atmosphere cause magnetic and electric variations both at the ground and in space all over the Earth. According to the model of entangled dynamos the true cause is wind differences between regions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres that are connected by the Earth's dipole-like magnetic field. The power produced in the southern dynamo heats the northern upper atmosphere and vice versa. The dynamos exist owing to this entanglement, an analogy to quantum mechanics.
Petra Koucká Knížová, Kateřina Podolská, Kateřina Potužníková, Daniel Kouba, Zbyšek Mošna, Josef Boška, and Michal Kozubek
Ann. Geophys., 38, 73–93, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-73-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-73-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Severe meteorological storm Fabienne passing above central Europe was observed. Significant variations of atmospheric and ionospheric parameters were detected. Above Europe, stratospheric temperature and wind significantly changed in coincidence with frontal transition. Within ionospheric parameters, we have detected significant wave-like activity shortly after the cold front crossed the observational point. During the storm event, we have observed strong horizontal plasma flow shears.
Xiaohua Mo and Donghe Zhang
Ann. Geophys., 38, 9–16, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-9-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-9-2020, 2020
Christoph Jacobi, Christina Arras, Christoph Geißler, and Friederike Lilienthal
Ann. Geophys., 37, 273–288, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-273-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-273-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Sporadic E (Es) layers in the Earth's ionosphere are produced by ion convergence due to vertical wind shear in the presence of a horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field. We present analyses of the 6 h tidal signatures in ES occurrence rates derived from GPS radio observations. Times of maxima in ES agree well with those of negative wind shear obtained from radar observation. The global distribution of ES amplitudes agrees with wind shear amplitudes from numerical modeling.
Cited articles
Asmus, H., Robertson, S., Dickson, S., Friedrich, M., and Megner, L.:
Charge balance for the mesosphere with meteoric dust particles, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 127, 137–149, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2014.07.010, 2015. a
Baumann, C., Rapp, M., Kero, A., and Enell, C.-F.:
Meteor smoke influences on the D-region charge balance – review of recent in situ measurements and one-dimensional model results, Ann. Geophys., 31, 2049–2062, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-2049-2013, 2013. a
Baumann, C., Rapp, M., Anttila, M., Kero, A., and Verronen, P. T.:
Effects of meteoric smoke particles on the D region ion chemistry, J. Geophys. Res.-Space, 120, 10823–10839, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JA021927, 2015. a, b, c, d
Baumann, C., Kero, A., Raizada, S., Rapp, M., Sulzer, M. P., Verronen, P. T., and Vierinen, J.:
Arecibo measurements of D-region electron densities during sunset and sunrise in August 2016, Zenodo [data set], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6381903, 2022. a
Breakall, J. K. and Mathews, J. D.:
A theoretical and experimental investigation of antenna near-field effects as applied to incoherent backscatter measurements at Arecibo, J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 44, 449–454, https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9169(82)90051-4, 1982. a
Cho, J. Y. N., Sulzer, M. P., and Kelley, M. C.:
Meteoric dust effects on D-region incoherent scatter radar spectra, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 60, 349–357, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-6826(97)00111-9, 1998. a
Coyne, T. N. R. and Belrose, J. S.:
The Diurnal and Seasonal Variation of Electron Densities in the Midlatitude D Region Under Quiet Conditions, Radio Sci., 7, 163–174, https://doi.org/10.1029/RS007i001p00163, 1972. a, b, c
Evans, J. V.:
Theory and practice of ionosphere study by Thomson scatter radar, Proc. IEEE, 57, 496–530, https://doi.org/10.1109/PROC.1969.7005, 1969. a
Forbes, J. M.:
Tidal effects on D and E region ion chemistries, J. Geophy. Res., 86, 1551–1563, https://doi.org/10.1029/JA086iA03p01551, 1981. a
Forbes, J. M.:
TEMPERATURE AND SOLAR ZENITH ANGLE CONTROLOF D-REGION POSITIVE ION CHEMISTRY, Planet. Space Sci., 30, 1065–1072, https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-0633(82)90157-X, 1982. a, b
Friedrich, M. and Rapp, M.:
News from the Lower Ionosphere: A Review of Recent Developments, Surv. Geophys., 30, 525–559, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10712-009-9074-2, 2009. a, b
Friedrich, M., Siskind, D. E., and Torkar, K. M.:
Haloe nitric oxide measurements in view of ionospheric data, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 60, 1445–1457, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-6826(98)00091-1, 1998. a
Friedrich, M., Rapp, M., Blix, T., Hoppe, U.-P., Torkar, K., Robertson, S., Dickson, S., and Lynch, K.:
Electron loss and meteoric dust in the mesosphere, Ann. Geophys., 30, 1495–1501, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-30-1495-2012, 2012. a, b
Ganguly, S.:
The sunrise and sunset transitions in the mesosphere, J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 47, 643–652, https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9169(85)90100-X, 1985. a
Han, F. and Cummer, S. A.:
Midlatitude daytime D region ionosphere variations measured from radio atmospherics, J. Geophy. Res.-Space, 115, A10314, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010ja015715, 2010. a
Hunten, D. M., Turco, R. P., and Toon, O. B.:
Smoke and dust particles of meteoric origin in the mesosphere and stratosphere, J. Atmos. Sci., 37, 1342–1357, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1980)037<1342:SADPOM>2.0.CO;2, 1980. a
Hysell, D. L., Nossa, E., Larsen, M. F., Munro, J., Sulzer, M. P., and González, S. A.:
Sporadic E layer observations over Arecibo using coherent and incoherent scatter radar: Assessing dynamic stability in the lower thermosphere, J. Geophy. Res.-Space, 114, A12303, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JA014403, 2009. a
Isham, B., Tepley, C. A., Sulzer, M. P., Zhou, Q. H., Kelley, M. C., Friedman, J. S., and Gonzalez, S. A.:
Upper atmospheric observations at the Arecibo Observatory: Examples obtained using new capabilities, J. Geophy. Res., 105, 18609–18637, https://doi.org/10.1029/1999JA900315, 2000. a
Kero, A., Vierinen, J., Enell, C.-F., Virtanen, I., and Turunen, E.:
New incoherent scatter diagnostic methods for the heated D-region ionosphere, Ann. Geophys., 26, 2273–2279, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-26-2273-2008, 2008. a
Kero, A., Vierinen, J., McKay-Bukowski, D., Enell, C.-F., Sinor, M., Roininen, L., and Ogawa, Y.:
Ionospheric electron density profiles inverted from a spectral riometer measurement, Geophys. Res. Lett., 41, 5370–5375, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014gl060986, 2014. a
Kudeki, E., Milla, M., Friedrich, M., Lehmacher, G., and Sponseller, D.:
ALTAIR incoherent scatter observations of the equatorial daytime ionosphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L08108, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL025180, 2006. a
Kumar, A. and Kumar, S.:
Ionospheric D-Region Parameters Obtained Using VLF Measurements in the South Pacific Region, J. Geophy. Res.-Space, 125, e2019JA027536, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019ja027536, 2020. a
Li, N. and Chen, J.:
Asymmetry in diurnal variation of electron density in D region over Kunming, in: 2014 XXXIth URSI General Assembly and Scientific Symposium (URSI GASS), IEEE, 1–4, https://doi.org/10.1109/URSIGASS.2014.6929739, 2014. a, b, c
Mathews, J. D.:
The Effect of Negative Ions on Collision-Dominated Thomson Scattering, J. Geophy. Res., 83, 505–512, https://doi.org/10.1029/JA083iA02p00505, 1978. a
Mathews, J. D., Breakall, J. K., and Ganguly, S.:
The measurement of diurnal variations of electron concentration in the 60–100 km ionosphere at Arecibo, J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 44, 441–448, https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9169(82)90050-2, 1982. a, b
Maurya, A. K., Veenadhari, B., Singh, R., Kumar, S., Cohen, M. B., Selvakumaran, R., Gokani, S., Pant, P., Singh, A. K., and Inan, U. S.:
Nighttime D region electron density measurements from ELF-VLF tweek radio atmospherics recorded at low latitudes, J. Geophy. Res.-Space, 117, A11308, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012ja017876, 2012. a
Megner, L., Rapp, M., and Gumbel, J.:
Distribution of meteoric smoke – sensitivity to microphysical properties and atmospheric conditions, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 6, 4415–4426, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-6-4415-2006, 2006. a
Nicolet, M. and Aikin, A. C.:
The formation of the D Region of the Ionosphere, J. Geophys. Res., 65, 1469–1483, https://doi.org/10.1029/JZ065i005p01469, 1960. a
Picone, J. M., Hedin, A. E., Drob, D. P., and Aikin, A. C.: NRLMSISE-00 empirical model of the atmosphere: Statistical comparisons and scientific issues, J. Geophys. Res., 107, 1468, https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JA009430, 2002. a
Plane, J. M. C., Saunders, R. W., Hedin, J., Stegman, J., Khaplanov, M., Gumbel, J., Lynch, K. A., Bracikowski, P. J., Gelinas, L. J., Friedrich, M., Blindheim, S., Gausa, M., and Williams, B. P.:
A combined rocket-borne and ground-based study of the sodium layer and charged dust in the upper mesosphere, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 118, Part B, 151–160, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2013.11.008, 2014. a
Raizada, S., Sulzer, M. P., Tepley, C. A., Gonzalez, S. A., and Nicolls, M. J.:
Inferring D region parameters using improved incoherent scatter radar techniques at Arecibo, J. Geophy. Res.-Space, 113, 302, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JA012882, 2008. a
Raizada, S., Tepley, C. A., Aponte, N., and Cabassa, E.:
Characteristics of neutral calcium and Ca+ near the mesopause, and their relationship with sporadic ion/electron layers at Arecibo, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L09103, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL047327, 2011. a
Rapp, M., Plane, J. M. C., Strelnikov, B., Stober, G., Ernst, S., Hedin, J., Friedrich, M., and Hoppe, U.-P.:
In situ observations of meteor smoke particles (MSP) during the Geminids 2010: constraints on MSP size, work function and composition, Ann. Geophys., 30, 1661–1673, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-30-1661-2012, 2012. a
Reid, I. M.:
MF and HF radar techniques for investigating the dynamics and structure of the 50 to 110 km height region: a review, Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, 2, 33, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-015-0060-7, 2015. a
Robertson, S., Dickson, S., Horanyi, M., Sternovsky, Z., Friedrich, M., Janchez, D., Megner, L., and Williams, B.:
Detection of Meteoric Smoke Particles in the Mesosphere by a Rocket-borne Mass Spectrometer, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 118, 161–179, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2013.07.007, 2013. a
Siskind, D. E., Barth, C. A., and Russell, J. M.:
A climatology of nitric oxide in the mesosphere and thermosphere, Adv. Space Res., 21, 1353–1362, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1177(97)00743-6, 1998. a
Siskind, D. E., Mlynczak, M. G., Marshall, T., Friedrich, M., and Gumbel, J.:
Implications of odd oxygen observations by the TIMED/SABER instrument for lower D region ionospheric modeling, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 124, 63–70, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2015.01.014, 2015. a
Strelnikova, I., Rapp, M., Raizada, S., and Sulzer, M.:
Meteor smoke particle properties derived from Arecibo incoherent scatter radar observations, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L15815, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL030635, 2007. a
Sulzer, M. P.:
A radar technique for high range resolution incoherent scatter autocorrelation function measurements utilizing the full average power of klystron radars, Radio Sci., 21, 1033–1040, https://doi.org/10.1029/RS021i006p01033, 1986. a
Tanenbaum, S. B.:
Continuum Theory of Thomson Scattering, Phys. Rev., 171, 215–221, https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.171.215, 1968. a
Thomson, N. R., Clilverd, M. A., and McRae, W. M.:
Nighttime ionospheric D-region parameters from VLF phase and amplitude, J. Geophy. Res.-Space, 112, A07304, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007ja012271, 2007. a
Trost, T. F.:
Electron concentrations in the E and upper D region at Arecibo, J. Geophys. Res.-Space, 84, 2736–2742, https://doi.org/10.1029/JA084iA06p02736, 1979. a
Turunen, E., Matveinen, H., Tolvanen, J., and Ranta, H.:
D-region ion chemistry model, in: STEP Handbook of Ionospheric Models, edited by: Schunk, R. W., 1–25, SCOSTEP Secretariat, https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/bc1/offices/ISR/SCOSTEP/Multimedia/other/ionospheric-models.pdf (last access: 25 July 2022), 1996. a, b
Verronen, P. T., Seppälä, A., Clilverd, M. A., Rodger, C. J., Kyrölä, E., Enell, C.-F., Ulich, T., and Turunen, E.:
Diurnal variation of ozone depletion during the October–November 2003 solar proton events, J. Geophy. Res.-Space, 110, A09S32, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004ja010932, 2005. a
Verronen, P. T., Andersson, M. E., Marsh, D. R., Kovacs, T., and Plane, J. M. C.:
WACCM-D Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with D-region ion chemistry, J. Adv. Modell Earth Sy., 8, 954–975, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015MS000592, 2016. a, b, c
Whitehead, J. D.:
The formation of the sporadic-E layer in the temperate zones, J. Atmos. Terr. Phy., 20, 49–58, https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9169(61)90097-6, 1961. a
Wilcox, R.:
The Trimmed Mean, chap. 2.2.3, in: Introduction to Robust Estimation and Hypothesis Testing, Academic Press Elsevier, p. 32, https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67044-1, 2011. a
Yngvesson, K. O. and Perkins, F. W.:
Radar Thomson scatter studies of photoelectrons in the ionosphere and Landau damping, J. Geophys. Res., 73, 97–110, https://doi.org/10.1029/JA073i001p00097, 1968. a
Short summary
The Arecibo radar was used to probe free electrons of the ionized atmosphere between 70 and 100 km altitude. This is also the altitude region were meteors evaporate and form secondary particulate matter, the so-called meteor smoke particles (MSPs). Free electrons attach to these MSPs when the sun is below the horizon and cause a drop in the number of free electrons, which are the subject of these measurements. We also identified a different number of free electrons during sunset and sunrise.
The Arecibo radar was used to probe free electrons of the ionized atmosphere between 70 and...
