The effect of energetic electron precipitation on middle mesospheric night-time ozone during and after a moderate geomagnetic storm

Daae, M.; Espy, P.; Nesse Tyssøy, H.; Newnham, D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8422-1289; Stadsnes, J.; Søraas, F.. 2012 The effect of energetic electron precipitation on middle mesospheric night-time ozone during and after a moderate geomagnetic storm. Geophysical Research Letters, 39, L21811. 5, pp. 10.1029/2012GL053787

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2012GL053787

Abstract/Summary

Using a ground-based microwave radiometer at Troll Station, Antarctica (72°S, 2.5°E, L = 4.76), we have observed a decrease of 20–70% in the mesospheric ozone, coincident with increased nitric oxide, between 60 km and 75 km altitude associated with energetic electron precipitation (E > 30 keV) during a moderate geomagnetic storm (minimum Dst of −79 nT) in late July 2009. NOAA satellite data were used to identify the precipitating particles and to characterize their energy, spatial distribution and temporal variation over Antarctica during this isolated storm. Both the ozone decrease and nitric oxide increase initiate with the onset of the storm, and persist for several days after the precipitation ends, descending in the downward flow of the polar vortex. These combined data present a unique case study of the temporal and spatial morphology of chemical changes induced by electron precipitation during moderate geomagnetic storms, indicating that these commonplace events can cause significant effects on the middle mesospheric ozone distribution.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1029/2012GL053787
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Climate
ISSN:	0094-8276
Additional Keywords:	mesosphere; nitric oxide; ozone; particle precipitation
NORA Subject Terms:	Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	09 Jan 2013 10:28 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/20858

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1029/2012GL053787

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Climate

ISSN:

0094-8276

Additional Keywords:

mesosphere; nitric oxide; ozone; particle precipitation

NORA Subject Terms:

Atmospheric Sciences