Mesospheric nitric oxide (NO) enhancements above Troll Station, Antarctica during March-May 2008
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) vertical volume mixing ratio profiles, measured using a ground-based passive sub-millimetre (250 GHz) radiometer at Troll Station, Antarctica (72.0 ° S, 2.5 ° E, invariant latitude 62.5° ), are reported for a 50-day period during March-May 2008. Enhanced levels of mesospheric NO are observed in the 75 km-90 km altitude range following a series of small geomagnetic storms (peak Ap index daily mean of 36) close to the minimum of solar cycle 23. Detailed analysis of the period 26 March to 3 April (2008 days 86-94) with 3-hour temporal resolution indicates significant differences in night-time and day-time production of odd nitrogen (NOx ). The characteristics of the energetic particle flux and energy spectrum and its impact on atmospheric chemistry have been investigated using the Sodankylü Ion-Neutral Chemistry a (SIC) model.
- Publication:
-
38th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010cosp...38.1327N