Publication Date:
2011-08-18
Description:
The characteristics of thermospheric superrotation and accompanying latitudinal variations in temperature and composition are examined theoretically. Superrotation was measured by the Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite, which provided data for the atmospheric rotational velocity with respect to that of the planet for all seasons for 300-350 km altitudes. Zonally averaged circulation is described with momentum equations. A spectral model covers the superrotation, and account is taken of symmetric radiative and auroral components, asymmetric ion drag, an asymmetric pressure gradient and a viscous component. The horizontal wind field of the diurnal tide and diurnal variations in ion density which produce a momentum source are the largest contributors to superrotation at low and midlatitudes.
Keywords:
GEOPHYSICS
Type:
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227); 89; 5613-562
Format:
text
