Some new aspects on the superrotation of the thermosphere.
Abstract
The motion of the thermosphere with a rotational velocity between 10 and 20 per cent in excess of the Earth's rotational velocity has been deduced by King-Hele and his co-workers from the change of the inclination of satellite orbits. To date no completely satisfactorily explanation of the observations has been presented. In this paper it is shown that in the thermosphere there exists a small diurnal mean driving force in the eastward direction. This force has not previously been considered in analyses of superrotation. A critical review of the observations and a theoretical analysis that takes account of both equinox and solstice conditions is presented. In the lower height region, where the great majority of observations were made, it is possible to achieve agreement between observations and a dynamical model. Additional observational data are needed in the isothermal region for a more complete analysis.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics
- Pub Date:
- June 1974
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0021-9169(74)90006-3
- Bibcode:
- 1974JATP...36..967B