Mg+ and other metallic emissions observed in the thermosphere

Viereck, R. A.; Murad, Edmond; Lai, Shu T.; Knecht, David J.; Pike, C. P.; Gardner, James A.; Broadfoot, A. L.; Anderson, E.; McNeil, William J.

doi:10.1016/0273-1177(95)00839-7

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Gravity and diffusion redistribute Fe + along field lines, and Fe + can reach the F region. Although the fountain effect may not be effective in the Polar Regions, Mg + ions have been observed by satellites in the thermosphere up to 300 km in the polar region [ Viereck et al , 1996]. Considering Fe and Mg have similar ablation altitudes [ Vondrak et al , 2008], it is reasonable to assume that Fe + ions are distributed in the E and F regions over McMurdo.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lidar observations of neutral Fe layers and fast gravity waves in the thermosphere (110-155 km) at McMurdo (77.8°S, 166.7°E), Antarctica

Chu¹,

Yu²,

Gardner³

et al. 2011

Geophys. Res. Lett.

100

207

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We report the first lidar observations of neutral Fe layers with gravity wave signatures in the thermosphere from 110–155 km at McMurdo, Antarctica in May 2011. The thermospheric Fe densities are low, ranging from ∼200 cm−3 at 120 km to ∼20 cm−3 at 150 km. The measured temperatures from 115–135 km are considerably warmer than MSIS and appear to be related to Joule heating enhanced by aurora. The observed waves originate in the lower atmosphere and show periods of 1.5–2 h through 77–155 km. The vertical wavelength increases from ∼13 km at 115 km to ∼70 km at 150 km altitude. These wave characteristics are strikingly similar to the traveling ionospheric disturbances caused by internal gravity waves. The thermospheric Fe layers are likely formed through the neutralization of vertically converged Fe+ layers that descend in height following the gravity wave downward phase progression.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lidar observations of neutral Fe layers and fast gravity waves in the thermosphere (110-155 km) at McMurdo (77.8°S, 166.7°E), Antarctica

Chu¹,

Yu²,

Gardner³

et al. 2011

Geophys. Res. Lett.

100

207

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Slipher (1929) reported the ÿrst detection of metals in the mesosphere using optical studies of the sodium D emission. Later on, various in situ measurements, like rocket-borne mass spectrometers and satellite photometers have established the presence of metallic ions in the mesosphere (Narcisi, 1973;Zbinden et al, 1975;Kopp and Hermann, 1984;Viereck et al, 1996). In the past two decades, lidars have proven to be a crucial instrument for the study of the mesosphere (Gardner et al, 1986;von Zahn and Hansen, 1988;Granier et al, 1989a,b;Clemesha et al, 1992;She and von Zahn, 1998;Raizada and Tepley, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Lidar observations of Ca and K metallic layers from Arecibo and comparison with micrometeor sporadic activity

Raizada

Tepley

Janches

et al. 2004

Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics

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“…The atmospheric abundance of neutral Mg is not yet known due to strong absorption of its 285.2 nm radiation by ozone. Thermospheric radiance measurements [Viereck, et al, 1996] have shown an abundance of neutral Na above 100 km and preliminary comparative modeling indicates that the depletion of Mg may be comparable to Ca.…”

Section: Atmospheric Metal Depositionmentioning

confidence: 99%