Long-term trends in the D - and E -region based on rocket-borne measurements

Friedrich, Martin; Pock, Christoph; Torkar, K.

doi:10.1016/j.jastp.2017.04.009

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The other approach to measuring the D region electron density profile is via in situ rocket data. As discussed by Friedrich and Rapp () and Friedrich et al (), the simplest rocket technique is direct sampling of the ambient electrons via a Langmuir probe. This can give a useful profile shape as a function of altitude but suffers from biases due to vehicle charging relative to the background plasma.…”

Section: Summary Of Data Setsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Intercomparison of VLF and Sounding Rocket Techniques for Measuring the Daytime D Region Ionosphere: Theoretical Implications

et al. 2018

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We compare the two approaches that have been used to measure the lowermost ionosphere, the measurement of the propagation of very low frequency (VLF) radio waves and the in situ sampling by sounding rockets. We focus on the altitude, latitude, and zenith angle variation of the electron density profiles inferred from these two observational techniques as compared with a theoretical photochemical model. Our results show that below 68-70 km, the VLF data and the model agree better with each other than with the sounding rocket profile. At the lowest altitudes, near 60 km, both the VLF data and the model show a greater electron density at higher latitudes, consistent with a cosmic ray flux that increases with latitude, whereas the limited rocket data show a maximum at the tropics. Above 68-70 km, the VLF data and the sounding rockets agree better and at tropical latitudes, the model fails to reproduce the observations. Specifically, the calculated electron density is lower than the data by up to a factor of 2. Possible reasons for the model deficit include underestimates of the solar Lyman alpha flux, the solar X-ray flux and the mesospheric nitric oxide density. Once these three factors are mitigated, the model is in agreement with the observations between 60 and 80 km. Plain Language SummaryOver the past 50-60 years, there have been two approaches toward measuring the lowermost ionosphere (below 90 km), the D region. One is by modeling the propagation of VLF radio waves; the other is by in situ sampling via rockets. Until now, these techniques have not been rigorously intercompared. By comparing both with each other and with a theoretical photochemical model, we show how they are complementary. The very low frequency data are most accurate below 70 km, while the rocket data are more accurate above 70 km. The photochemical model can be made to agree with these data provided certain assumptions are made about the solar Lyman alpha flux, solar X-rays, and mesospheric nitric oxide (NO). Key Points: • We compare two independent techniques for measuring the D region ionosphere • Modeling VLF radio waves is most accurate below 70 km, in situ rockets are most accurate above 70 km • Photochemical model can agree with observations, but there are uncertainties concerning neutral atmosphere and solar flux inputs Supporting Information: • Supporting Information S1

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Section: Summary Of Data Setsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Intercomparison of VLF and Sounding Rocket Techniques for Measuring the Daytime D Region Ionosphere: Theoretical Implications

et al. 2018

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“…Bailey et al (2021) further comment that they know of no observational studies to date of trends in mesospheric pressure heights, butFriedrich et al (2017) have suggested such trends based on studies of observed D and E-region electron densities. The SABER GPH results presented here document for the first time the contraction of the near-global MLT since 2002.…”

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confidence: 99%

Cooling and Contraction of the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere From 2002 to 2021

Mlynczak

Hunt²,

García

et al. 2022

JGR Atmospheres

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Introduction"Since carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) plays a significant role in the heat budget of the atmosphere, it is reasonable to suppose that continued increases would affect climate." With these words, the late Verner Suomi eloquently stated the hypothesis of climate change science in 1979, in his foreword to the seminal "Charney Report" (National Research Council, 1979) on the role of CO 2 and climate. The remarkable prescience of the Charney Report was noted upon its 40th anniversary (Nicholls, 2019). Specifically, the scientists who developed the report under the direction of the late Jule Charney predicted that, for a doubling of CO 2 in Earth's atmosphere, the Earth's surface air temperature would warm by approximately 3 C, with a probable error of 1.5 C. Prior to the Charney report, Sawyer (1972) made the case for a warming troposphere due to increasing CO 2 and presciently predicted 0.6 K warming by the year 2000. Remarkably, the most recent assessment of Earth's equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS) (i.e., the average global surface air temperature change after a doubling CO 2 ) (Sherwood et al., 2020) sets its bounds between 2.3 and 4.5 C, nearly identical to the Charney report range. Verner Suomi's hypothesis statement, "carbon dioxide plays a significant role in the heat budget of the atmosphere" is true throughout the entire perceptible atmosphere from Earth's surface to the edge of space. It has long

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“…As we described above, direct density measurements in the MLT region, in particular long-term trends in density, is scarce. As far as we know, the only long-term density trend has been measured for electron densities, which have been measured with sounding rockets for more than 80 years, providing us with long-term trends (e.g., Friedrich et al, 2017). In general, an increase in the electron density of the order of ∼1%/yr was found in the MLT region.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Long-Term Density Trend in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere from Occultations of the Crab Nebula with X-Ray Astronomy Satellites

Katsuda¹,

Enoto²,

Lommen³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Long-term trends in the D - and E -region based on rocket-borne measurements

Cited by 10 publications

References 21 publications

An Intercomparison of VLF and Sounding Rocket Techniques for Measuring the Daytime D Region Ionosphere: Theoretical Implications

An Intercomparison of VLF and Sounding Rocket Techniques for Measuring the Daytime D Region Ionosphere: Theoretical Implications

Cooling and Contraction of the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere From 2002 to 2021

Long-Term Density Trend in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere from Occultations of the Crab Nebula with X-Ray Astronomy Satellites

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