A nighttime temperature maximum in the thermosphere above Saint Santin in winter

作者:Oliver W L*; Martinis C R; Hickey D A; Wright A D; Amory Mazaudier C
来源:Journal of Geophysical Research, 2012, 117: A06324.
DOI:10.1029/2012JA017855

摘要

The Saint Santin (45 degrees N) incoherent scatter radar data base shows a local enhancement in nighttime ion temperature that occurs in winter only. Its amplitude can exceed 100 K and averages 40 K on the basis of a conservative computation. The enhancement peaks near 4 LT and has a duration of about 4 hours. We discuss two possible explanations for this feature: (1) it is caused by the convergence of global winds at the global pressure minimum, under which Saint Santin rotates at winter solstice, and (2) it is an extension or propagation of the well-known low-latitude midnight temperature maximum to midlatitudes, perhaps to that pressure minimum.

  • 出版日期2012-6-29