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Turbulence in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT) region is responsible for vertical mixing and transport of constituents and heat and the formation of the turbo-pause. A study of turbulence at the Andes Lidar Observatory (ALO) by Philbrick et al. (2021) found, for 25 nights of lidar observations, the probability of Ri < 1/4 decreased with altitude above 100 km, whereas the power in turbulence increased. The objective of this study is to understand the atmospheric process responsible for the observed increase in turbulence power with altitude. Conventionally turbulence is caused by instabilities due to convection (Ri < 0), and Kelvin-Helmholtz Instabilities (KHI), 0 < Ri < 1/4. These criteria are based on laminar flow, a waveless basic state. However, wave-modulated states requiring Floquet theory may dominate the MLT region and can generate instabilities and turbulence under more stable conditions (Ri > 1/4, Klostermeyer, 1990). It was determined in this study the probability of Ri > 1/4 to be >70% at 105 km, consistent with parametric instability (PI) where large tidal induced wind shears and gravity wave presence are contributing factors. • Earlier MLT studies have found parametric instabilities occur <96 km (Walterscheid et al., 2013). • Parametric instabilities (1/4 < Ri < 1) are likely responsible for LIDAR observations at the ALO. • ALO lidar data analysis resulted in >70% the conditional Ri distribution at 105 km. • Primarily, tidal wind shears coupled with gravity waves drive parametric instabilities in the MLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time series of standard phase-height (SPH) and plasma scale-height (PSH) have been updated from a 60-year long-radio-wave measurement of the broadcasting station Allouis (France, 162 kHz). The signal was received at Kühlungsborn (54° N, 12° E, Mecklenburg, Northern Germany). The statistical analysis of the SPH series shows a significant overall trend with a decrease of 116 m/decade indicating a subsidence of the long-radio wave reflection height of about 700 m. With consideration of a stratopause altitude trend (-70 m/decade) follows an overall mesospheric shrinking of about 300 m over Western Europe. As expected the time series of SPH shows in its spectrum dominant modes which are typical for the solar cycle, ENSO and for QBO bands indicating solar and lower atmospheric influences. Solar cycle and ENSO (-QBO)-like band-pass show a growing increase of SPH up to 1987, followed by a decrease afterward. We found a strong reduction in the amplitude of the solar cycle band due to the weak solar cycle 24, but an increase in the ENSO band. For summer months during solar minimum years, and without stratopause altitude trend, a thickness temperature trend of the mesosphere is significant with a trend value of −0.47 ± 0.43 K/decade. The long-term solar variability and the stratopause altitude trend were excluded to determine a more realistic intrinsic mesospheric thickness temperature trend. The overall cooling of the intrinsic mesospheric temperature during 60 years of observation is in the order of 3 K. The long-term solar variability including the decreasing maximum of last solar cycle, and the stratopause altitude trend have to be excluded in order to determine an intrinsic mesospheric temperature trend, which may be caused by greenhouse gas increase in the middle atmosphere. • For 60 years (1950–2019) mesospheric variability and trend of phase-height measurements at Kühlungsborn are investigated. • A significant decreasing trend of 116 m/decade was detected in the standard phase-height over Western Europe. • In summer, solar minimum year mesospheric thickness temperature trend is statistically significant with a cooling of ∼ −0.5 K/decade. • The weak solar maximum of cycle 24, and the stratopause altitude trend have to be excluded to determine the temperature trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical cyclones are one of the potential sources of gravity waves, which can transport energy and momentum to higher heights through their vertical propagation and interaction with the background flow and thereby influence the dynamics of the upper atmosphere. High-resolution wind data acquired by the Medium Frequency (MF) radar at Kolhapur (16.69°N, 74.24°E) are utilized to study the high frequency gravity waves (20–60 min) associated with the tropical cyclone named "Vayu" formed in the Indian Arabian Sea in June 2019. An enhancement of the gravity wave (GW) activities in the meridional wind is observed during 13–15 June 2019. The source of the gravity wave is the tropical Vayu cyclone of category 2 storm. We employed the gravity wave variance data from NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) satellite for our analysis over stratospheric heights. The enhancement of gravity wave variance in both the stratosphere mesosphere heights and the low values of OLR indicate the strong convection associated with cyclone, the source of observed gravity waves. In the present study we analyzed the horizontal propagation direction of the cyclone generated gravity waves using perturbation ellipse, it is found to be in the north–south plane. The temperature profiles obtained from the SABER instrument on board TIMED satellite indicate the presence of mesospheric inversion layer with an amplitude of nearly 40 K on the day of large gravity wave variance (June 13, 2019). These results indicate the cyclone can generate gravity waves which can propagate to higher heights and modify the MLT thermal structure, providing evidence for the vertical coupling between lower and upper atmosphere. • High-frequency GW activity in meridional wind associated with Tropical Cyclone "Vayu". • Studied cyclone generated high-frequency gravity waves (GWs) over Kolhapur. • Anticorrelation of GW activity with OLR reveals tropospheric convection associated with cyclone as a source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We present the results of studying the behavior of temperature and of the atomic oxygen concentration in the mesopause region during the 2013 January major Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW). The data on the hydroxyl molecule OH(6-2), 834.0 nm emission intensity and rotational temperature were analyzed. These data were obtained through spectrometric measurements at the Geophysical Observatory of the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (51.8°N, 103.1°E, Tory), and at the Zvenigorod Station at the Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (55.7°N, 36.8 E°). We calculated the concentration of atomic oxygen and its variations by using the data of the OH emission measurements. We revealed, that the response of the mesopause characteristics for two longitudinally spaced mid-latitude regions essentially differs. Thus, from the Tory Station data, the maximal increase in the OH emission intensity (by a factor of ∼2) and in the concentration [O] (by a factor of ∼3) occurred during the sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) evolution, whereas, from the Zvenigorod Station data, the OH emission intensity increase (by a factor of ∼3) and the concentration [O] increase (by a factor of ∼3.5) was observed at the SSW recovery phase. As a result of numerical modeling using the Middle and Upper Atmosphere Model (MUAM), it was shown, that the cause for the revealed effect may probably be longitudinal differences in the diurnal variation in the vertical wind at the mesopause heights over the indicated stations during the SSW. One may elucidate these differences through the generation of non-migrating tides due to a non-linear interaction between the intensified stationary planetary wave 1 (SPW1) and migrating tides and forcing a set of high-frequency PWs at the stratospheric heights. All these waves are capably of propagating into the MLT region and produce observed changes in behavior of the OH emission intensity, temperature and atomic oxygen concentration over Tory and Zvenigorod. Highlights • Effects of 2013 SSW on the MLT for two longitudinally spaced mid-latitude sites are investigated. • Longitudinal differences in the behavior of the mesopause temperature and composition were found. • It may be caused by longitudinal differences in the diurnal variation of vertical wind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sub-Millimetre Radiometer (SMR) on board the Odin satellite provides almost 20 years of nitric oxide (NO) measurements in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) at equatorial crossing local solar times (LSTs) of 6 AM and 6 PM. In this study, we use Odin/SMR observations to estimate how lower thermospheric NO mixing ratios at low latitudes are affected by solar nonmigrating tides. Most of the previous studies based on satellite data have focused on the signatures of diurnal tides in the MLT and above, while we concentrate here on nonmigrating semidiurnal tides. To study the contribution of these tides to NO mixing ratio variations, we average pairs of NO measurements along ascending and descending orbital tracks at 107 km altitude over latitudes between −40°and +40°. We consider monthly climatologies of these pair-averages and analyse residuals with respect to their zonal mean. In this way, it is possible to study the effect of nonmigrating even-numbered tidal components, albeit there is a non-tidal component arising largely from quasi-stationary planetary waves. Spectral wave amplitudes are extracted using a Fourier transform as function of (apparent) zonal wavenumber with a focus around −30°, −20°and 30°latitudes. From our analysis, it appears that the semidiurnal (apparent) zonal wavenumber 4 arising from the SW6 and SE2 tides is dominant close to the equator (e.g., at −20°), except during some boreal summer months (June, July, August). On the other hand, wave-1 plays a more prominent role at subtropical latitudes, especially in the southern hemisphere, where it surpasses wave-4 during 7 months (March and May-to-October) at −30°. There is little observational evidence to date documenting the presence of the semidiurnal nonmigrating tides in NO in the low-latitude MLT. Our results hence provide one of the first evidences of the climatological signature of these tides in NO, in an altitude range that remains poorly observed. • Signature of nonmigrating semidiurnal tides on low-latitude lower thermospheric NO. • One of the first evidences of such signatures at these poorly observed altitudes. • Wave-4 from SW6 and SE2 tides is often dominant close to the equator. • Wave-1 dominates at SH subtropical latitudes during March and May-to-October. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We present the results of studying the behavior of parameters of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) and the ionosphere over the Eastern Siberia region during a minor winter sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) in early February 2016. We used the data from spectrometric measurements of OH ((6-2), 834.0 nm, ∼87 km) and O 2 At ((0–1), 864.5 nm, ∼94 km), emissions from the Geophysical Observatory at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (51.8°N, 103.1°E, Tory). These emissions originate at the MLT heights. We also used the vertical sounding data on the peak electron density (NmF2), and on the peak height (hmF2). These data were obtained with the DPS-4 Irkutsk ionosonde (52.3°N, 104.3°E). For the analysis, we also involved the MLS Aura satellite data of measuring vertical temperature profiles and the MERRA reanalysis data. We found the MLT and ionospheric signatures for the 2016 February SSW. At the MLT heights, the OH and O 2 emissions intensities increased by a factor of ∼2 and ∼3, respectively, and the temperature fell by ∼20 K. Analyzing the mesopause temperature variability and comparing the mean seasonal values showed an essential increase in the wave activity at the MLT. At the F2-region ionospheric heights, we revealed significant (up to ∼80%) NmF2 positive disturbances in the postmidnight hours and an essential increase (up to ∼ 2 times relative to root-mean-square values) in the amplitudes of the tidal component of the NmF2 disturbance. The results of the study show that a minor SSW may significantly impact the state of the MLT and the ionosphere at midlatitudes. Highlights • Minor SSW in February 2016 affected the upper neutral atmosphere and ionosphere. • MLT temperature variability, caused by wave activity, increased significantly. • Positive NmF2 disturbances in the postmidnight and early morning hours occurred. • The results confirm couplings between the lower atmosphere, MLT, and ionosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We study the effects of the middle atmosphere dynamics on the mid-latitude and subauroral ionosphere during the winter jet stream that occurred at the stratosphere/lower mesosphere heights in the Northern Hemisphere over 2008–2013. The used ionospheric data were obtained from measurements taken at the vertical sounding ionosonde chain covering the entire Eurasian continent. We reveal regional features of the F2 -layer ionospheric response to dynamic processes during the winter circumpolar vortex evolution in the strato-mesosphere. The variations in the ionospheric parameters observed at different longitudes in the Northern Hemisphere significantly depended on the ionosonde position relative to the jet stream zone in the strato-mesosphere. The difference in critical frequency values for the ionosondes spaced longitudinally by only 15–20° could reach about 1.5–2 MHz, depending on the observation point location under the jet stream or off the latter. We consider the molecular gas upwelling/downwelling to/from the lower thermosphere in active regions of circulation as a mechanism for the underlying atmosphere impact on the ionosphere. Irregular variations in the ionospheric parameters could also be caused by wave disturbances of various spatial and temporal scales (including internal gravity waves) propagating into the thermosphere from the underlying atmosphere. The mesoscale wave generation source at the strato-mesospheric heights was associated with baroclinic instabilities in the spatially non-uniform, high-velocity winter jet stream. Highlights • Ionosphere response on winter stratosphere/mesosphere jet stream. • Eurasian ionosonde chain data are used for ionosphere study. • Specific longitudinal ionosphere dynamics over jet stream was found. • Different mechanisms of thermosphere [O]/[N 2 ] ratio change are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study investigates 14-year ultra-fast Kelvin wave (UFKW) activity in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) and in the upper stratosphere where the mesopause semiannual oscillation (MSAO) and the stratopause semiannual oscillation (SSAO) dominate the two altitude regions, respectively. The wave properties are derived from SABER temperature data for the period from 2003 to 2016 by two-dimensional fast Fourier transform. The investigations focus on the UFKW with zonal wavenumber 1 and periods of 2.5–4.5 days. The spectra, daily variations, and seasonal variations of UFKW are investigated. The wave activity is also compared with the background zonal wind derived from the horizontal wind model 2014 (HWM14) for the MLT region and from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) interim reanalysis for the upper stratosphere. The results are that periods of UFKW are mainly in the range of 2.5–4.5 days, but the dominated periods change from year to year. The UFKW amplitudes increase with altitude, and the largest amplitudes occur at altitudes above 90 km. Above 95 km, the mean zonal wind is westward at all times and the amplitude of UFKW is large most of the time. In the MLT region and the upper stratosphere, the large-amplitude UFKW tend to occur in the westward phase of the MSAO and the SSAO. The seasonal variation of UFKW in the MLT region and the upper stratosphere both show a semiannual variation in which the maximum and the secondary maximum are in August and February, respectively. The correlation analysis shows that the time lags between the 90-km wave variation and lower altitude wave variations do not match the theoretical expectation of the wave upward velocity. Finally, the MSAO and the SSAO act like two filters, which modify the wave amplitude and result in different daily variations in the MLT region and in the upper stratosphere. Highlights • 14-year UFKW activities in the MLT region and in the upper stratosphere are investigated. • Large-amplitude UFKW tend to occur in the westward phase of MSAO and SSAO. • The time lags between different-altitude UFKW do not match the wave upward velocity. • MSAO and SSAO result in different UFKW variations in MLT and upper stratosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Very recently, it has been found that intense anomalies of the mesospheric ozone occur a few days before major earthquakes. This paper explores the credibility of this finding in the case of the last two major earthquakes in Greece. Indeed, the study of the mesospheric ozone vertical distribution showed that unusual anomalies occurred a few days before these two earthquakes. However, at time periods with no significant seismicity the same unusual changes in the mesospheric ozone vertical distribution were observed. Consequently, significant temporal changes of the mesospheric ozone can not be considered as precursors for upcoming significant seismic activity. Highlights • The mesospheric O 3 showed significant fluctuations before two major earthquakes. • In periods with no earthquakes significant fluctuations in mesospheric O 3 occurred. • The mesospheric O 3 can not be considered as precursor for upcoming earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study we have formulated the multi-channel method for retrieval of the O(3P), O 3 and CO 2 volume mixing ratios, C v,O(3P) , C v,O3 and C v,CO2 , altitude profiles in the daytime mesosphere and lower thermosphere from the simultaneous measurements of intensities of three emissions formed by transitions from three electronically-vibrationally excited states, O 2 (b1Σ g +, v = 2), O 2 (b1Σ g +, v = 1) and O 2 (b1Σ g +, v = 0). Only using the YM2011 model of kinetics of O 3 and O 2 photolysis (Yankovsky et al., 2016. J. Molec. Spectr., 327, 209–232) allowed us to consider in detail the complex groups of the processes of excitation and quenching of the states O 2 (b1Σ g +, v = 0, 1, 2), the transitions from which form the system of the O 2 Atmospheric bands observed in the dayglow of the Earth. For the altitude range 50–85 km we developed in details the two-channel method of simultaneously retrieval of the volume mixing ratios of O 3 and CO 2. For this method, we succeeded in obtaining formulas that can be used for remote sensing of the Earth atmosphere from satellites. Highlights • The multi-channel method of the [CO 2 ], [O 3 ] and [O (3P)] retrieval at daytime. • Retrieval of the [CO 2 ], [O 3 ] and [O (3P)] altitude profiles in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere. • The daytime O 2 Atmospheric bands as proxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relative transverse drift (with respect to the ambient magnetic field) between the weakly magnetized electrons and the unmagnetized ions at the lower altitude ( < 80 km ) and between the weakly magnetized ions and unmagnetized dust at the higher altitude ( < 90 km ) gives rise to the finite Hall conductivity in the Earthś mesosphere. If, on the other hand, the number of free electrons is sparse in the mesosphere and most of the negative charge resides on the weakly magnetized, fine, nanometre sized dust powder and positive charge on the more massive, micron sized, unmagnetized dust, the sign of the Hall conductivity due to their relative transverse drift will be opposite to the previous case. Thus the sign of the Hall effect not only depends on the direction of the local magnetic field with respect to the Earth's rotational axis but also on the nature of the charge carrier in the partially ionized dusty medium. As the Hall and the Ohm diffusion are comparable below 80 km , the low frequency ( ∼ 10 − 4 − 10 − 5 s − 1 ) long wavelength ( ∼ 10 3 − 10 4 km ) waves will be damped at this altitude with the damping rate typically of the order of few minutes. Therefore, the ultra–low frequency magnetohydrodynamic waves can not originate below 80 km in the mesosphere. However, above 80 km since Hall effect dominates Ohm diffusion the mesosphere can host the ultra–low frequency waves which can propagate across the ionosphere with little or, no damping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inter-annual variability, climatological mean wind and tide fields in the northern polar mesosphere/lower thermosphere region of 82–98 km height are studied using observations by the meteor radar which has operated continuously during solar cycle 24 ( from December 2008 onward) at the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (67N, 26E). Summer mean zonal winds are characterized by westward flow, up to 25 m/s, at lower heights and eastward flow, up to 30 m/s, at upper heights. In the winter an eastward flow, up to 10 m/s, dominates at all heights. The meridional winds are characterized by a relatively weak poleward flow (few m/s) in the winter and equatorward flow in the summer, with a jet core (∼15 m/s) located slightly below 90 km. These systematically varying winds are dominated by the semidiurnal tides. The largest amplitudes, up to 30 m/s, are observed at higher altitudes in winter and a secondary maximum is seen in August–September. The diurnal tides are almost a factor of two weaker and peak in summer. The variability of individual years is dominated by the winter perturbations. During the period of observations major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSW) occurred in January 2009 and 2013. During these events the wind fields were strongly modified. The lowest altitude eastward winds maximized up to 25 m/s, that is by more twice that of the non-SSW years. The poleward flow considerably increases (up 10 m/s) and extends from the lower heights throughout the whole altitude range. The annual pattern in temperature at ∼90 km height over Sodankyla consists of warm winters (up to 200 K) and cold summers (∼120 K). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changes in zonal mean circulation and meridional temperature gradient brought about by Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) events in polar middle atmosphere are found to significantly affect the low latitude counterparts. Several studies have revealed the signatures of SSW events in the low latitude Mesosphere- Lower Thermosphere (MLT) region. Using meteor wind radar observations, the present study investigates the response of semidiurnal oscillations and quasi 2-day waves in the MLT region, simultaneously over low latitude and equatorial stations Thumba (8.5 o N, 76.5 o E) and Kototabang (0.2 o S, 100 o E). Unlike many case studies, the present analysis examines the response of low and equatorial latitude MLT region to typical polar stratospheric conditions viz., Quiet winter, Major SSW winter and Minor SSW winter. The present results show that (i) the amplitudes of semidiurnal oscillations and quasi 2-day waves in the equatorial and low latitude MLT region enhance in association with major SSW events, (ii) the semidiurnal oscillations show significant enhancement selectively in the zonal and meridional components over the Northern Hemispheric low latitude and the equatorial stations, respectively (iii) The minor SSW event of January 2012 resulted in anomalously large amplitudes of quasi 2- day waves without any notable increase in the amplitude of semidiurnal oscillations. The significance of the present study lies in comprehensively bringing out the signatures of SSW events in the semidiurnal oscillations and quasi 2-day waves in low latitude and equatorial MLT region, simultaneously for the first time over these latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, long-term data sets of ground-based observations of noctilucent clouds (NLC) around the globe have been analyzed in order to investigate a response of NLC to solar UV irradiance variability on a day-to-day scale. NLC brightness has been considered versus variations of solar Lyman-alpha flux. We have found that day-to-day solar variability, whose effect is generally masked in the natural NLC variability, has a statistically significant effect when considering large statistics for more than ten years. Average increase in day-to-day solar Lyman-α flux results in average decrease in day-to-day NLC brightness that can be explained by robust physical mechanisms taking place in the summer mesosphere. Average time lags between variations of Lyman-α flux and NLC brightness are short (0–3 days), suggesting a dominant role of direct solar heating and of the dynamical mechanism compared to photodissociation of water vapor by solar Lyman-α flux. All found regularities are consistent between various ground-based NLC data sets collected at different locations around the globe and for various time intervals. Signatures of a 27-day periodicity seem to be present in the NLC brightness for individual summertime intervals; however, this oscillation cannot be unambiguously retrieved due to inevitable periods of tropospheric cloudiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have utilized the Gadanki MST Radar and Rayleigh LIDAR to understand the vertical coupling between the lower atmosphere and mesosphere through the short-period gravity waves (GWs). The short-period GWs (20 min–2 h) are noticed both in the troposphere and in the mesosphere during the deep convection. During the convection, the large vertical velocities (>5 m/s) and significant variations in the momentum flux (∼3 m 2 /s 2 ) are noticed in the troposphere and higher fluxes (∼45 m 2 /s 2 ) are evidenced in the mesosphere. The observations suggest the vertical coupling between the lower and middle atmosphere during convection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we investigate the evolution of the energy emitted by CO 2 and NO from the Earth's thermosphere on a global scale using both observational and empirically derived data. In the beginning, we analyze the daily power observations of CO 2 and NO received from the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) equipment on the NASA Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite for the entire period 2002–2016. We then perform the same analysis on the empirical daily power emitted by CO 2 and NO that were derived recently from the infrared energy budget of the thermosphere during 1947–2016. The tool used for the analysis of the observational and empirical datasets is the detrended fluctuation analysis, in order to investigate whether the power emitted by CO 2 and by NO from the thermosphere exhibits power-law behavior. The results obtained from both observational and empirical data do not support the establishment of the power-law behavior. This conclusion reveals that the empirically derived data are characterized by the same intrinsic properties as those of the observational ones, thus enhancing the validity of their reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSW) affect the chemistry and dynamics of the middle atmosphere. Major warmings occur roughly every second winter in the Northern Hemisphere (NH), but has only been observed once in the Southern Hemisphere (SH), during the Antarctic winter of 2002. Observations by the Global Ozone Monitoring by Occultation of Stars (GOMOS, an instrument on board Envisat) during this rare event, show a 40% increase of ozone in the nighttime secondary ozone layer at subpolar latitudes compared to non-SSW years. This study investigates the cause of the mesospheric nighttime ozone increase, using the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with specified dynamics (SD-WACCM). The 2002 SH winter was characterized by several reductions of the strength of the polar night jet in the upper stratosphere before the jet reversed completely, marking the onset of the major SSW. At the time of these wind reductions, corresponding episodic increases can be seen in the modelled nighttime secondary ozone layer. This ozone increase is attributed largely to enhanced upwelling and the associated cooling of the altitude region in conjunction with the wind reversal. This is in correspondence to similar studies of SSW induced ozone enhancements in NH. But unlike its NH counterpart, the SH secondary ozone layer appeared to be impacted less by episodic variations in atomic hydrogen. Seasonally decreasing atomic hydrogen plays however a larger role in SH compared to NH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical water vapour volume mixing ratio (WVMR) data for October 2004–September 2015 obtained from the Microwave Limb Sounder are used to study its long-term variabilities and tendencies in the height region 12.1–0.002 hPa. Above 0.01 hPa, the WVMR shows minimum March–May and September–November (∼0.7–0.8 ppmv) and maximum during June–August. It shows a large interannual variability at 31–64 km. The results from multivariate regression analysis show an increasing trend with maximum value of ∼0.045 ppmv/yr at 1.21–0.41 hPa. It shows a significant negative solar cycle response at mesospheric heights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present calibrated estimates of photon flux, lightning peak Poynting flux and Joule heating associated with the brightest region of sprites observed in the mesosphere over South Africa. The sprites' photon fluxes were estimated using 28 sprites events (observed during the 2019 sprites campaign) calibrated by stars in the sprite's image background. The lightning driven background electric field associated with the brightest region of sprites were found to vary from 0.1 to 6.7 E k (local air breakdown field). The lightning return stroke at lower frequencies (4 Hz - 2 kHz) has more influence in carrot sprites than in column sprites formation processes. The lightning peak Poynting flux and Joule heating were estimated from calibrated electromagnetic field measurements made in parallel with eight sprites events (observed during the 2020 sprites campaign). The photon flux, peak Poynting flux, and peak Joule heating associated with the brightest region of sprites were found to be 1.1 × 10−7 W/m2, 12.7 W/m2, and 4.7 × 10−3 W/m2 on average, respectively. The altitude/distance-normalised lightning peak Poynting flux decreases with increasing atmospheric altitude. The photon flux from column sprites decreased with increased altitude of the brightest region. Column sprites have a shorter time delay (<30 ms) from their parent lightning strokes than carrot sprites (up to 145 ms). • The apparent Poynting flux emanating from the sprite dominates over the Joule heating and photon flux. • The lightning peak Poynting flux decreases with increasing atmospheric altitude. • Column sprites have a shorter time delay than carrot sprites from their parent lightning strokes. • The brightest region of carrot sprites is associated with greater averaged photon flux and lightning initial peak Joule heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Earth's naturally occurring Schumann resonances (SR) are composed of a quasi-continuous background component and a larger-amplitude, short-duration transient component, otherwise called ‘Q-burst’ (Ogawa et al., 1967). Sprites in the mesosphere are also known to accompany the energetic positive ground flashes that launch the Q-bursts (Boccippio et al., 1995). Spectra of the background Schumann Resonances (SR) require a natural stabilization period of ∼10–12 min for the three conspicuous modal parameters to be derived from Lorentzian fitting. Before the spectra are computed and the fitting process is initiated, the raw time series data need to be properly filtered for local cultural noise, narrow band interference as well as for large transients in the form of global Q-bursts. Mushtak and Williams (2009) describe an effective technique called Isolated Lorentzian (I-LOR), in which, the contributions from local cultural and various other noises are minimized to a great extent. An automated technique based on median filtering of time series data has been developed. These special lightning flashes are known to have greater contribution in the ELF range (below 1 kHz) compared to general negative CG strikes (Huang et al., 1999; Cummer et al., 2006). The global distributions of these Q-bursts have been studied by Huang et al. (1999) Rhode Island, USA by wave impedance methods from single station ELF measurements at Rhode Island, USA and from Japan Hobara et al. (2006). The present work aims to demonstrate the effect of Q-bursts on SR background spectra using GPS time-stamped observation of TLEs. It is observed that the Q-bursts selected for the present work do alias the background spectra over a 5-s period, though the amplitudes of these Q-bursts are far below the background threshold of 16 Core Standard Deviation (CSD) so that they do not strongly alias the background spectra of 10–12 min duration. The examination of one exceptional Q-burst shows that appreciable spectral aliasing can occur even when 12-min spectral integrations are considered. The statistical result shows that for a 12-min spectrum, events above 16 CSD are capable of producing significant frequency aliasing of the modal frequencies, although the intensity aliasing might have a negligible effect unless the events are exceptionally large (∼200 CSD). The spectral CSD methodology may be used to extract the time of arrival of the Q-burst transients. This methodology may be combined with a hyperbolic ranging, thus becoming an effective tool to detect TLEs globally with a modest number of networked observational stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous observation of gravity waves (GWs) in the polar summer mesosphere over Syowa (69°S, 39°E) by a ground-based radar and satellite instrument are presented. On 21 January 2016, at 2.3 UT, the CIPS instrument on the AIM satellite observed Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs) with GW structures over Syowa. The orientation of the wave crests suggests north-west propagation direction. A periodogram analysis indicates GWs with horizontal wavelengths of 105 ± 5 and 60 ± 5 km. Cross-spectral analysis of the PANSY radar horizontal wind components at the same time, location, and altitude indicate two dominant waves with apparent periods of 15 and 9 h, with respective horizontal wavelengths of 100 ± 5 km and 302 ± 130 km. At the PMC altitude of ∼83 km, the mean zonal component of the vertical momentum flux spectra of the observed GWs is westward and the meridional component is northward. The comparable horizontal wavelengths of the 15 h wave observed by PANSY radar and the CIPS instrument, along with the agreement between the direction of vertical flux of horizontal momentum from PANSY, the propagation direction estimated from the cross-spectral analysis, and the orientation of the wave crests from CIPS i.e. north-west propagation direction suggests that the same wave is observed by both instruments. This simultaneous observation of the same wave by CIPS and PANSY radar provide a distinctive view of both the horizontal and vertical extent of a GW in the Antarctic summer mesosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ice particles in the summer mesosphere – such as those connected to noctilucent clouds and polar mesospheric summer echoes - have since their discovery contributed to the uncovering of atmospheric processes on various scales ranging from interactions on molecular levels to global scale circulation patterns. While there are numerous model studies on mesospheric ice microphysics and how the clouds relate to the background atmosphere, there are at this point few studies using comprehensive global climate models to investigate observed variability and climatology of noctilucent clouds. In this study it is explored to what extent the large-scale inter-annual characteristics of noctilucent clouds are captured in a 30-year run - extending from 1979 to 2009 - of the nudged and extended version of the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM30). To construct and investigate zonal mean inter-seasonal variability in noctilucent cloud occurrence frequency and ice mass density in both hemispheres, a simple cloud model is applied in which it is assumed that the ice content is solely controlled by the local temperature and water vapor volume mixing ratio. The model results are compared to satellite observations, each having an instrument-specific sensitivity when it comes to detecting noctilucent clouds. It is found that the model is able to capture the onset dates of the NLC seasons in both hemispheres as well as the hemispheric differences in NLCs, such as weaker NLCs in the SH than in the NH and differences in cloud height. We conclude that the observed cloud climatology and zonal mean variability are well captured by the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the tidal activity in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region at 37 0 N using OH Meinel and O 2 atmospheric airglow observations from 1998 to 2015. The observations were taken with a Spectral Airglow Temperature Imager (SATI) installed at Sierra Nevada Observatory (SNO) (37.06 0 N, 3.38 0 W) at 2900 m height. From these observations a seasonal dependence of the amplitudes of the semidiurnal tide is inferred. The maximum tidal amplitude occurs in winter and the minimum in summer. The vertically averaged rotational temperatures and vertically integrated volume emission rate (rotational temperatures and intensities here in after), from the O 2 atmospheric band measurements and the rotational temperature derived from OH Meinel band measurements reach the maximum amplitude about 1–4 h after midnight during almost all the year except in August–September where the maximum is found 2–4 h earlier. The amplitude of the tide in the OH intensity reaches the minimum near midnight in midwinter, then it is progressively delayed until 4:00 LT in August–September, and from there on it moves again forward towards midnight. The mean Krassovsky numbers for OH and O 2 emissions are 5.9 ± 1.8 and 5.6 ± 1.0, respectively, with negative Krassovsky phases for almost all the year, indicating an upward energy transport. The mean vertical wavelengths for the vertical tidal propagation derived from OH and O 2 emissions are 35 ± 20 km and 33 ± 18 km, respectively. The vertical wavelengths together with the phase shift in the temperature derived from both airglow emissions indicate that these airglow emission layers are separated by 7 ± 3 km, on average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MF-Saura radar positioned at polar latitudes is very sensitive to enhanced ionization caused by solar and geomagnetic activity. Differing from the intensities normally detected by partial reflections from the ionospheric D region during quiet conditions, distinct layers can be seen due to intense increase of electron number density at as low as 50 km altitude caused by particle precipitation. Effects of energetic particle precipitation on observations by medium frequency (MF) radars have been rarely reported so far, generally associated with solar proton events, which are rather scarce especially during solar minimum conditions. Here, we focus on events associated with precipitation of particles with lower energy (<10 MeV), which are seen by the MF radar with occurrence rates of as much as 40% at times. Such situations are studied for a period of continuous observations for one solar cycle and statistical results like diurnal and annual distributions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New homogeneous time series of daily standard phase-height (SPH) and daily plasma scale-height (PSH) have been derived from a 50-year long-radio-wave measurement of the broadcasting station Allouis (France, 162 kHz). The signal was received at Kühlungsborn (54°N, 12°E, Mecklenburg, Germany) and the present series is a third release. The daily time series of SPH shows in its spectrum dominant modes which are typical for the solar cycle (SC), for El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and for quasi-biannual oscillation (QBO), indicating solar and lower atmospheric influences. Surprisingly, the time series of daily PSH shows a band of dominant cycles larger than 16 years. In order to exclude the influence of the winter anomaly in the determination of column-integrated mesospheric temperature trends the phase-height-temperature procedure is confined to summer months. The derived thickness temperature of the mesosphere decreased statistically significant over the period 1959–2008 after pre-whitening with summer mean of solar sun spot numbers. The trend value is in the order of about −1.05 K/decade if the stratopause trend is excluded. The linear regression is more pronounced, −1.35 K/decade for the period of 1963–1985 (2 SCs), but weaker, −0.51 K/decade during 1986-2008 (last 2 SCs). The linear regression is in very good agreement with a mean column-integrated mesospheric trend derived from OHP-Lidar temperatures on a monthly mean basis for the last two SCs. This clearly shows that the thickness temperature of the mesosphere derived from phase-height measurement is a useful proxy for the long-term summer temperature change in the mesosphere from 1959 until 2008. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron densities obtained from rocket borne measurements are compared to an empirical, steady state model built from these data. The ratios between each measured value and its corresponding model value vs . time yield trends which significantly vary with altitude. Notably above 120–130 km the electron densities generally increase, whereas between 95 and 120 km the ionosphere appears stable. Somewhere below 80–90 km - depending on the investigated data subset - there is again a positive trend down to below 70 km. Tentative explanations such as cooling of the mesosphere are suggested and may be confirmed by comprehensive theoretical models of the upper atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New capabilities for imaging small-scale instabilities and turbulence and for modeling gravity wave (GW), instability, and turbulence dynamics at high Reynolds numbers are employed to identify the major instabilities and quantify turbulence intensities near the summer mesopause. High-resolution imaging of polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs) reveal a range of instability dynamics and turbulence sources that have their roots in multi-scale GW dynamics at larger spatial scales. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of these dynamics exhibit a range of instability types that closely resemble instabilities and turbulence seen in PMC imaging and by ground-based and in-situ instruments at all times and altitudes. The DNS also exhibit the development of “sheet-and-layer” (S&L) structures in the horizontal wind and thermal stability fields that resemble observed flows near the mesopause and at lower altitudes. Both observations and modeling suggest major roles for GW breaking, Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities (KHI), and intrusions in turbulence generation and energy dissipation. Of these, larger-scale GW breaking and KHI play the major roles in energetic flows leading to strong turbulence. GW propagation and breaking can span several S&L features and induce KHI ranging from GW to turbulence scales. Intrusions make comparable contributions to turbulence generation as instabilities become weaker and more intermittent. Turbulence intensities are highly variable in the vertical and typically span 3 or more decades. DNS results that closely resemble observed flows suggest a range of mechanical energy dissipation rates of ε ~10 −3 –10 W kg −1 that is consistent with the range of in-situ measurements at ~80–90 km in summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We find that mesopause region temperatures determined by the SABER instrument on the TIMED satellite during nocturnal overpasses at El Leoncito (31.8°S, 69.3°W) are several kelvins higher when SABER observes from the East than when it observes from the West. We distinguish between altitudes corresponding to the nominal emission heights of the OH and O 2 airglow layers. The East-West temperature differences of 4.5 K obtained for OH-equivalent height, and of 3.5 K for O 2 -equivalent height are surprising, because an effect of the South Atlantic Anomaly on SABER temperature is unexpected. However, the ground-based data obtained with our airglow spectrometer at El Leoncito show that such a SABER artifact can be ruled out. Rather, the phenomenon is explained as a consequence of the temporal sampling of the nocturnal variation, which is mostly due to the semidiurnal tide. The monthly mean tide is strongest from April to September with a mean amplitude of 6.9 K for OH, and of 10.5 K for O 2 rotational temperature, but the contribution to the East-West effect varies strongly from month to month because of differences in the temporal sampling. This mechanism should be active at other sites, as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using an atmosphere-ionosphere coupled model, the excitation source and temporal (seasonal and interannual) variations in non-migrating tides are investigated in this study. We first focus our attention on temporal variations in eastward moving diurnal tide with zonal wavenumber 3 (DE3), which is the largest of all the non-migrating tides in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). Our simulation results indicate that upward propagation of the DE3 excited in the troposphere is sensitive to the zonal mean zonal wind in the stratosphere and mesosphere. The DE3 amplitude is enhanced in the region where the vertical shear of the zonal mean zonal wind is positive (westerly shear). Quasi-2-year variation in the DE3 amplitude in the MLT region is generated by quasi-2-year variation in the zonal mean zonal wind between 40 and 70 km, which is modulated by the stratospheric QBO. The excitation mechanisms of SW3 (westward moving semidiurnal tide with zonal wavenumber 3) and SW1 (westward moving semidiurnal tide with zonal wavenumber 1) are also investigated. During equinoxes, the SW3 and SW1 are excited by tropospheric heating (latent heat release and solar radiative heating) associated with cumulus convection in the tropics, and propagate upward into the MLT region. On the other hand, during solstices, SW3 and SW1 are generated in the winter stratosphere and mesosphere through the nonlinear interaction between the stationary planetary wave and migrating semidiurnal tide, and propagate upward to the lower thermosphere. The excitation sources of other non-migrating tides are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesosphere/lower thermosphere winds obtained by meteor radar over Cachoeira Paulista (22.7° S, 45.0° W), Brazil, have been used to investigate the interannual variability of the diurnal tidal (DT) wind amplitude. The monthly DT displays year to year variations and their amplitudes are strongest during the westerly phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) at the 30 hPa level. This can be observed in all seasons in the meridional component, whilst in the zonal component the signal is clearer during austral autumn, when the diurnal tide is strongest in this latitude. The spectrum obtained from the deseasonalized amplitudes shows a peak near 26 months in the meridional component, which can be associated to the stratospheric QBO. The QBO modulation of the DT amplitude shows a quasi-decadal variation, and it is stronger during the maximum of the solar cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the characteristics of mesospheric short period (<1 h) gravity waves which were observed with all-sky images of OH Meinel band and OI 557 nm airglows over King Sejong Station (KSS) (62.22°S, 58.78°W) during a period of 2008–2015. By applying 2-dimensional FFT to time differenced images, we derived horizontal wavelengths, phase speeds, and propagating directions (188 and 173 quasi-monochromatic waves from OH and OI airglow images, respectively). The majority of the observed waves propagated predominantly westward, implying that eastward waves were filtered out by strong eastward stratospheric winds. In order to obtain the intrinsic properties of the observed waves, we utilized winds simultaneously measured by KSS Meteor Radar and temperatures from Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS). More than half the waves propagated horizontally, as waves were in Doppler duct or evanescent in the vertical direction. This might be due to strong eastward background wind field in the mesosphere over KSS. For freely propagating waves, the vertical wavelengths were in the interquartile range of 9–33 km with a median value of 15 km. The vertical wavelengths are shorter than those observed at Halley station (76°S, 27°W) where the majority of the observed waves were freely propagating. The difference in the wave propagating characteristics between KSS and Halley station suggests that gravity waves may affect mesospheric dynamics in this part of the Antarctic Peninsula more strongly than over the Antarctic continent. Furthermore, strong wind shear over KSS played an important role in changing the vertical wavenumbers as the waves propagated upward between two airglow layers (87 and 96 km). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of a cylindrical-shaped magnetic-field-aligned channel of electrical conductivity produced by the precipitation of relativistic-electrons into the atmosphere during a spatially localized magnetospheric microburst are estimated. The conducting channel connects the middle atmosphere (~50 km) to the ionosphere. A channel diameter of ~ 8 km with an electric conductivity of 1.2×10 −9 Ω −1 m −1 near the bottom and 1.8×10 −7 Ω −1 m −1 higher up is found. In the fair-weather electric field, the higher-conductivity portions of the channel can carry substantial electrical currents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mesopause region (~90 km altitude) is the coldest region of our atmosphere, and is found at the boundary between the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere. Ground-based spectrometers, which are sensitive to the emissions from the hydroxyl (OH * ) airglow layer (lying at ~87 km altitude), are used to monitor the temperature variability within the mesosphere-lower-thermosphere (MLT), at high temporal resolution. The variability of the MLT region of the atmosphere is driven by momentum deposition from gravity waves, atmospheric tides and planetary waves. The displacement of air caused by these waves can produce strong temperature, wind and species concentration perturbations. In this study we present an analysis of 4-years of OH * rotational temperature data, acquired with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) GRIPS-10 (Ground Based Infrared P-branch Spectrometer) instrument, which was installed in Israel in November 2011. This instrument provided the first long-term ground-based observations of airglow emissions in the Eastern Mediterranean. We show the nocturnal mean temperature analysis, which includes time series as well as spectral analysis of the data. In addition, we obtain (migrating) tidal oscillation estimates from the high resolution (1 min) data, by using harmonic fitting, and we analyze the variability of planetary wave signatures in the residual temperature data, which are retrieved after the removal of the tidal harmonic fits from the data. In this analysis of the residual data we find a dominant quasi-5–7 day planetary wave influence on the mesopause temperatures above the Eastern Mediterranean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ozone and temperature profiles of the satellite microwave limb sounder Aura/MLS are used for the derivation of the middle atmospheric response to the geomagnetic superstorm of 9 November 2004. We find a destruction of the tertiary ozone layer at 0.022 hPa (77 km) in the northern winter hemisphere lasting for about one week. This effect is surely due to the solar proton event (SPE) of November 2004. At the same time, the zonal mean temperature is enhanced by 5–10 K in the northern polar mesosphere. On the other hand, the zonal mean temperature is decreased by 5–10 K in the northern polar stratosphere. We do not think that the strong temperature perturbations are directly related to the SPE. It seems that the polar vortex was moved by the geomagnetic storm, and this vortex movement caused the strong temperature variations in the zonal mean. However, internal variability of temperature in the polar middle atmosphere in winter without any significant link to the geomagnetic storm cannot be excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed 17 years (1993–2009) of horizontal winds measured by the medium frequency (MF) radar located at Tirunelveli (8.7°N, 77.8°E) and 10 years (2005–2014) of horizontal winds measured by a meteor radar located at Thumba (8.5°N, 77°E) to examine the seasonal, inter-annual, and solar cycle variability of the Quasi-Two Day Wave (QTDW) in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region. These two radars are nearly co-located, but differ in their measurement technique. Comparison of the estimated QTDW amplitudes by the two radars shows that the amplitudes are larger in the meteor radar than those in the MF radar. The difference between the amplitudes is larger in May in the zonal component and in April and September in the meridional one. Furthermore, the differences are larger in the meridional component. The QTDWs in both the radars show a strong semi-annual oscillation (SAO). In addition, the meridional QTDW amplitudes of both the MF and meteor radars show a distinct enhancement in the month of October. While the whole spectra of QTDWs contribute to the SAO amplitudes, only 45–50 h waves contribute to the October enhancement. The amplitudes of the QTDWs, in general, show large inter-annual variability. The QTDW amplitudes from both the radars show modulation at period of quasi-biennial oscillation. The QTDWs of the MF radar show a small negative correlation with solar activity while those of meteor radar do not show any correlation. The above aspects are discussed in the light of current understanding of the QTDWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the long lifetime of nitric oxide (NO) in darkness conditions, during polar winter, the NO produced by energetic particle precipitation (EPP) in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) can descend, via the middle atmospheric residual circulation, to the lower mesosphere and stratosphere, where it is involved in catalytic destruction of ozone (O 3). This process is known as energetic particle precipitation indirect effect (EPP-IE). There are still significant uncertainties on the estimated amount of EPP-IE NO. To improve such estimations, we measure the total winter flux of EPP-IE NO descending through three isentropic levels in the mesosphere, that is 2600 K, 3300 K and 4000 K, based on 15 years of NO nighttime observations from the Sub-Millimetre Radiometer (SMR) on board Odin satellite. At the moment, Odin/SMR is the only instrument ensuring a global coverage of mesospheric NO observations within a few days and this is the first time EPP-IE NO has been quantified using its NO data set. Moreover, such an estimate had never been calculated for the most recent winters which are included in this study. In our method we calculate the median nighttime NO inside the polar vortex during the month prior to the descent of NO-rich air; this value is assumed as a background, produced by N 2 O oxidation, to be subtracted from the daily median nighttime concentrations inside the vortex; the result of this subtraction is then multiplied by the area of the vortex and the descent rate to obtain the flux; finally these daily quantities and integrated to calculate the total NO flux for each winter. We thus calculated the total EPP-IE NO flux through the mentioned levels for Northern Hemisphere (NH) winters between 2006–07 and 2020–21 and for Southern Hemisphere (SH) winters between 2007 and 2012. The total winter EPP-IE NO fluxes presented in this study are consistent with the quantities presented in similar studies. NH winters 2008–09, 2012–13 and 2018–19 are the ones presenting the highest NO fluxes at all levels. They are winters characterised by sudden stratospheric warmings followed by elevated stratopause (SSW-ES) events. The measured fluxes vary between 490 and 1000 Mmol at 4000 K, 310 and 720 Mmol at 3300 K, 270 and 510 Mmol at 2600 K. All other NH and SH winters are characterised by sensibly lower values than SSW-ES winters. The fluxes from these more dynamically quiet winters vary from winter to winter following a trend similar to the one of geomagnetic activity, as indicated by the variations in Ap index. These results indicate that the variability in the total EPP-IE NO fluxes is dominated by dynamics during the SSW-ES winters, whereas during the remaining winters it is geomagnetic activity that plays a major role. • 15 years of measurements of total winter flux of EPP-IE NO descending through mesosphere. • Odin/SMR is the only instrument performing observations of mesospheric NO globally. • Such an estimate had never been calculated for the most recent winters. • Total EPP-IE NO flux variability is dominated by dynamics during the SSW-ES winters. • Instead it is dominated by geomagnetic activity during dynamically quiet winters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preliminary observations of the nocturnal variations of the OH(6-2) and O2b(0-1) nighttime airglow in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere are investigated in the context of tidal influence for the tropical latitude station Pune (18.5°N, 73.85°E). This is the only tropical Spectral Airglow Temperature Imager (SATI) station where the tidal variations of mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) temperature have been determined from ground based SATI observations. The SATI observations obtained since October 2012 reveal the influence of the migrating semidiurnal tides during solstice at this tropical station. There is variability in amplitude and phase obtained from SATI observations. In this paper, SATI observations on 10 Dec 2012 and 3 March 2013 are compared with Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) simulations. The amplitude of semidiurnal tides is ~25 K/30 K on 10 Dec 2012 during solstice for OH/O 2 temperature. During equinox SATI data indicates existence of semidiurnal tide also. The airglow observations are compared with simulations from the WACCM. The model underestimates the amplitude of the semi diurnal tide during equinox (1.6 K/2.7 K at 87 km/96 km) and solstice (~3.8 K/4.8 K at 87 km/96 km) for these days. The reason may be related to dampening of tides in the model due to the effect of strong latitudinal shear in zonal wind. The diurnal variation of airglow emission – which the model simulates well – is related to the vertical advection associated with the tides and downward mixing of atomic oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the influence of Middle Range Energy Electrons (MEE; typically 30-300 keV) precipitation on the atmosphere using the SOCOL3-MPIOM chemistry-climate model with coupled ocean. Model simulations cover the 2002-2010 period for which ionization rates from the AIMOS dataset and atmospheric composition observations from MIPAS are available. Results show that during geomagnetically active periods MEE significantly increase the amount of NO y and HO x in the polar winter mesosphere, in addition to other particles and sources, resulting in local ozone decreases of up to 35%. These changes are followed by an intensification of the polar night jet, as well as mesospheric warming and stratospheric cooling. The contribution of MEE also substantially enhances the difference in the ozone anomalies between geomagnetically active and quiet periods. Comparison with MIPAS NO y observations indicates that the additional source of NO y from MEE improves the model results, however substantial underestimation above 50 km remains and requires better treatment of the NO y source from the thermosphere. A surface air temperature response is detected in several regions, with the most pronounced warming occurring in the Antarctic during austral winter. Surface warming of up to 2 K is also seen over continental Asia during boreal winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the equatorial region planetary scale waves play an important role transporting significant amount of energy and momentum through atmosphere. Quantifying the momentum transported by these waves and its effects on the mean flow is rather important. Direct estimates of the momentum flux transported by waves require horizontal and vertical wind measurements. Ground-based meteor radars have provided continuous and reliable measurements of the horizontal wind components in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT) region and have contributed to improve our knowledge of the dynamics of this region. However, instrumental limitations hinder its use for measuring vertical winds and momentum fluxes. On the other hand, according to Babu et al (2012), all- sky meteor radars are able to infer tridimensional winds when using a large number of meteor echoes centered at the meteor ablation peak. Following this approach, we have used measurements performed by a Meteor Radar installed at São João do Cariri, Brazil (7.4°S; 36.5°W) in order to measure vertical winds and calculate the momentum flux transported by equatorial planetary scale waves. In order to evaluate the accuracy of vertical wind values we have performed several tests based on a simple model considering real meteor distributions and theoretical equations for the MLT winds motion. From our tests, we inferred that Brazilian meteor radar data can be used for this purpose with an accuracy of ~ 1.8 m/s. The results show that the vertical wind presents magnitudes of a few meters per second and occasionally reaches magnitudes around 10 m/s. Below 92 km the vertical wind is predominantly upward during the whole year and above exhibits a semi-annual oscillation with downward phase during the equinoxes. Variations associated to planetary scale waves in the vertical wind are also observed and some of them appear simultaneously in the zonal and meridional wind as well. Largest wave induced amplitudes in the vertical wind are found in the 3–4 d band, reaching up to 4 m/s. From the vertical and zonal wind measurements, we calculated the vertical transport of zonal momentum in the 3–4 d band and found it to be maximum near autumn equinox, when its value reaches almost 20 m 2 /s 2 , while minimum momentum flux is observed after the winter solstice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Model-based investigations of the wave-induced responses of O( 1 S), O 2 (b,0-0) and OH(8-3) emissions have been performed. A series of digital experiments performed using the one-dimensional simulation model proposed by Liu and Swenson (2003) demonstrated that, in addition to the variable component, the wave disturbance of airglow emissions has a constant component. This component is the enhancement/depletion of the background emission intensity of an emission layer. To interpret its appearance, the simplest analytical model of airglow disturbance due to a gravity wave has been constructed. This model indicates that enhancement/depletion of the background emission intensity is a nonlinear airglow response to a wave disturbance. Its magnitude depends quadratically on the wave amplitude and can reach a few dozen percent relative to the value of the zenith brightness of the unperturbed OH(8-3)/O( 1 S) emission layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents comparison of low-latitude dynamical responses to boreal 2008/09 and austral 2002 winter Major Stratospheric Warming (MSW) events, as both events are of vortex split type. During these winters, planetary wave (PW) variability and changes in low-latitude circulation are examined using European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) reanalysis (ERA)-interim data sets and mesospheric wind data acquired by the MF radars at Tirunelveli (8.7°N) and Rarotonga (22°S). Eliassen-Palm diagnostic is used to provide an evidence for the lateral PW energy propagation from high to low-latitudes during both the MSW events. The PW flux reaches much lower latitudes during the boreal event than during the austral event. The low-latitude westward winds at stratospheric heights are stronger (weaker) during the boreal (austral) MSW. Weak (strong) PW wave activity at low latitude mesospheric heights during boreal (austral) MSW indicates the influence of low-latitude stratospheric westward winds on the vertical propagation of PW to low-latitude mesosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies investigated solar–terrestrial responses (thermal state, O 3 , OH, H 2 O) with emphasis on the tropical upper atmosphere. In this paper the focus is switched to water vapor in the mesosphere at a mid-latitudinal location. Eight years of water vapor profile measurements above Bern ( 46.88 ° N / 7.46 ° E ) are investigated to study oscillations with the focus on periods between 10 and 50 days. Different spectral analyses revealed prominent features in the 27-day oscillation band, which are enhanced in the upper mesosphere (above 0.1 hPa , ∼ 64 km ) during the rising sunspot activity of solar cycle 24. Local as well as zonal mean Aura MLS observations support these results by showing a similar behavior. The relationship between mesospheric water and the solar Lyman- α flux is studied by comparing the similarity of their temporal oscillations. The H 2 O oscillation is negatively correlated to solar Lyman- α oscillation with a correlation coefficient of up to − 0.3 to − 0.4 , and the phase lag is 6–10 days at 0.04 hPa . The confidence level of the correlation is ≥ 99 % . This finding supports the assumption that the 27-day oscillation in Lyman- α causes a periodical photodissociation loss in mesospheric water. Wavelet power spectra, cross-wavelet transform and wavelet coherence analysis (WTC) complete our study. More periods of high common wavelet power of H 2 O and solar Lyman- α are present when amplitudes of the Lyman- α flux increase. Since this is not a measure of physical correlation a more detailed view on WTC is necessary, where significant (two sigma level) correlations occur intermittently in the 27 and 13-day band with variable phase lock behavior. Large Lyman- α oscillations appeared after the solar superstorm in July 2012 and the H 2 O oscillations show a well pronounced anti-correlation. The competition between advective transport and photodissociation loss of mesospheric water vapor may explain the sometimes variable phase relationship of mesospheric H 2 O and solar Lyman- α oscillations. Generally, the WTC analysis indicates that solar variability causes observable photochemical and dynamical processes in the mid-latitude mesosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The statistics of gravity wave momentum flux estimation are investigated using data from the MU radar at Shigariki, Japan (136°E, 35°N). The radar has been operating during campaign periods since 1986. The first part of the paper focuses on a multi-day campaign during October 13–31, 1986. The second part of the paper investigates data after 2006 when the radar was operated in a meteor scatter mode. Momentum fluxes are derived from both the turbulent scatter and the meteor scatter measurements, but the techniques are quite different. Probability Distribution Functions are formed using turbulent scatter data. These show that wave packets sometimes have momentum flux magnitudes in excess of 100 m 2 s −2 . The technique for meteor radars, introduced by Hocking (2005), has been widely adopted by the radar community in recent years. The momentum flux estimated using this technique is found to be anti-correlated with the background tidal winds. A validation investigation is carried out for periods with a high meteor echo data rate. The conclusion was that the method can be used to calculate the sign of momentum flux, but does not accurately specify the magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multichannel photometer (MCP) instrument, designed with filters for three specific airglow emissions, OH Meinel (5-1), (6-2), 840 nm; O 2 (b) (0,1), 865 nm; and O ( S 1 ) , 557.7 nm, as well as background, is used to observe atmospheric wave perturbations to layers in the local zenith with high temporal resolution (∼5 s). By measuring the relative phase of propagating waves through the layers, with known altitude separation, we deduce the vertical wavelength. We describe here the instrument attributes, a unique background subtraction technique, and the validation of a new method for determining intrinsic wave parameters via MCP and imager data that can be taken from various platforms, including ground-based and spacecraft platforms. Vertical wavelengths deduced using this method are in close agreement with those measured using LIDAR temperatures as well as those calculated with the dispersion relation using a combination of all-sky imager (horizontal wavelength) and meteor radar (winds) data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The positive downward propagating streamers of sprites are considered as factors of vertical coupling in middle atmosphere. Sprites are initiated in the lower ionosphere (at 75–85 km) and their streamers propagate in the mesosphere and upper stratosphere where the solar activity (SA) can have significant influence. The problem considered by us is whether sprites are sensitive to the solar activity. Different possible ways of such influence are considered. They concern: i) relations between solar activity and the occurrence of sprite-producing lightning discharges; ii) sensitivity of streamer inception to solar variability; iii) 11-year variations of conductivity in the night-time mesosphere and stratosphere during solar cycle due to modulation of the galactic cosmic ray flux by solar activity, which can lead to changes in sprite-driving electric fields, and therefore, in sprites. Accounting for the effects of sprites on minor constituents (in particular NO x ), a link between SA level and the che^mical balance in the mesosphere and stratosphere is considered, as well. With respect to this we study by modeling the response of the sprite-driving electric fields to SA variations with the account to a complex of parameters of sprite-producing lightning discharges and atmospheric conductivity. The lightning-driven electric fields needed for streamer propagation show minor dependence on conductivity changes caused by variations in cosmic ray flux during a solar cycle. The long-term changes in sprite's lower boundary by different parameters of lightning discharges and atmospheric conductivity parameters are estimated. During solar minimum, of the vertical dimension of sprites increases by up to 1.5 km than those during solar maximum. We estimate also the effect of the reduction of conductivity in thunderclouds with respect to the adjacent air. Reduction of cloud conductivity by a factor of 5–10 leads to larger vertical dimension of sprites due to descending of the sprite lower boundary by up to 5 km related to the case of unmodified cloud conductivity. The solar variability has significantly bigger effect on the sprite vertical dimension by larger charge moment change of the parental lightning discharge and by large reduction of the cloud conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A minor stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) event was noticed in the southern hemisphere (SH) during September (day 259) 2010 along with two episodic warmings in early August (day 212) and late October (day 300) 2010. Among the three warming events, the signature of mesosphere response was detected only for the September event in the mesospheric wind dataset from both meteor radar and MF radar located at King Sejong Station (62°S, 59°W) and Rothera (68°S, 68°W), Antarctica, respectively. The zonal winds in the mesosphere reversed approximately a week before the September SSW event, as has been observed in the 2002 major SSW. Signatures of mesospheric cooling (MC) in association with stratospheric warmings are found in temperatures measured by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS). Simulations of specified dynamics version of Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (SD-WACCM) are able to reproduce these observed features. The mesospheric wind field was found to differ significantly from that of normal years probably due to enhanced planetary wave (PW) activity before the SSW. From the wavelet analysis of wind data of both stations, we find that strong 14–16 day PWs prevailed prior to the SSW and disappeared suddenly after the SSW in the mesosphere. Our study provides evidence that minor SSWs in SH can result in significant effects on the mesospheric dynamics as in the northern hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative information about the effect of atmospheric influences on the variability of upper mesosphere–lower ionosphere (UMLI) region is not clearly known yet. To investigate the relationship between the lower atmosphere and UMLI region, we compared the amplitude of very low frequency (VLF) signals with the atmospheric parameters such as total column Ozone (TCO) density and stratospheric temperature at various heights for the first time for three different latitudinal regions. We show that the VLF amplitude is strongly correlated with the TCO density, stratospheric temperatures for mid-latitude propagation paths throughout the years. For high and low latitude regions, this correlation between the VLF amplitude and atmospheric parameters is poor and not significant. This study indicates the experimental observation of latitudinal dependence of atmospheric influence on the upper mesosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characteristics of Mesospheric Temperature Inversions (MTIs) are studied using ~290 nights of Rayleigh Lidar data collected over Mt. Abu (24.5°N, 72.7°E) during the period of 1997 to 2004 for the first time from an Indian sub-tropical location. Three MTI events have been investigated and statistical analysis has also been performed. A strong MTI event, with amplitude of about 30 K, at altitudes between 60 and 70 km was observed on 30 December 2003. It was accompanied by strongly perturbed mesospheric zonal winds as observed by TIMED Doppler Interferometer (TIDI) onboard Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED). Two MTI episodes during March and December 2000 have been investigated, which showed that MTI can persist for few days and its amplitude varies gradually. Ozone observed by Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) onboard Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS) also showed significantly higher variability during strong MTI events. A statistical analysis of MTI occurrence and their characteristics have been done using Lidar data (1997–2004), HALOE on board UARS (1997–2004) and SABER (Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) on board TIMED (2002–2004). The frequency of occurrence of MTIs is maximum during winter and minimum during summer and average magnitude of MTIs is ~20 K with prominent seasonal variability. SABER and Lidar observed occurrence statistics is showing very similar pattern and SABER is able to capture stronger MTIs (~50 K). The average bottom height of MTIs from Lidar is having strong seasonality (lower height during winter) in contrast to satellites observed heights of MTIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the night 16–17 August 2021, a balloon-borne experiment called Stratospheric Observations of Noctilucent Clouds (SONC) was successfully performed. A big scientific balloon, having onboard three automated cameras for studies of noctilucent clouds (NLC), was launched to 32.7 km altitude from Esrange (northern Sweden). All three NLC cameras and electronics were completely operational in the stratosphere for more than 10 h at low temperatures of about −30 °C. Two wide angle cameras registered an extended NLC field of about 1700 km long in the twilight sky sector from the north-west to the north-east of Esrange. NLC were of a moderate brightness and were located at high latitudes between 68° and 71°N. The NLC field was located in a cold area (138–142 K) below the frost point temperature (145–148 K) in the mesopause region that was confirmed by Aura/MLS satellite and Esrange lidar measurements. The balloon-borne NLC measurements were accompanied by ground-based lidar and radar measurements. The latter have registered Polar Mesosphere Summer Echoes (PMSE) in the same volume of the summer mesopause along with NLC observed from the stratosphere that has been performed for the first time above northern Scandinavia. We describe the technique and method of the NLC observation from the stratosphere as well as present the first scientific results of the SONC experiment. • Balloon experiment was successfully realized to study NLC from the stratosphere. • NLC field had horizontal scales of about 1700 km long from east to west. • NLC and PMSE were simultaneously observed in a common mesopause volume. • NLC field was located in a cold area of the mesopause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper shows results from the summer campaign performed during geomagnetically quiet period from June 1 to August 31, 2009. Within time-series of stratospheric and mesospheric temperatures at pressure levels 10–0.1 hPa, mesospheric winds measured in Collm, Germany, and the sporadic E-layer parameters foEs and hEs measured at the Pruhonice station we detected specific coherent wave-bursts in planetary wave domain. Permanent wave-like activity is observed in all analyzed data sets. However, the number of wave-like structures persistent in large range of height from the stratosphere to lower ionosphere is limited. The only coherent modes that are detected on consequent levels of the atmosphere are those corresponding to eigenmodes of planetary waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]