Geomagnetic storm effects in the low- to middle-latitude upper thermosphere
- Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States); and others
We study storm induced changes in structure of the upper thermosphere in the low- to middle-latitude region of the winter hemisphere by analyzing data from the Dynamics Explorer 2 (DE 2) satellite and a theoretical simulation made by using the National Center for Atmospheric Research thermosphere/ionosphere general circulation model (NCAR-TIGCM). We conclude: that the winds associated with the diurnal tide weaken during geomagnetic storms; there is a small region in the late morning sector where changes in ion drag cause wind changes; reductions in the amplitude of the poleward component of the tidal wind result in decreases in the amount of energy advection out of the region with maximum solar heating; changing vertical winds and temperatures also affect neutral composition and densities in winter at low-middle latitudes; and that modeled increases in the O/N{sub 2} ratio on a constant pressure surface correlate strongly with modeled positive storm effects in electron density. 74 refs., 18 figs.
- OSTI ID:
- 146009
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 100, Issue A8; Other Information: PBD: 1 Aug 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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