Southern hemisphere observations of a long-term decrease in F region altitude and thermospheric wind providing possible evidence for global thermospheric cooling

Jarvis, M.J.; Jenkins, B.; Rodgers, G.A.

Southern hemisphere observations of a long-term decrease in F region altitude and thermospheric wind providing possible evidence for global thermospheric cooling

Jarvis, M.J.; Jenkins, B.; Rodgers, G.A.. 1998 Southern hemisphere observations of a long-term decrease in F region altitude and thermospheric wind providing possible evidence for global thermospheric cooling. Journal of Geophysical Research, 103 (A9). 20775-20787. 10.1029/98JA01629

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/98JA01629

Abstract/Summary

F region peak heights, derived from ionospheric scaled parameters through 38-year data series from both Argentine Islands (65°S, 64°W) and Port Stanley (52°S, 58°W) have been analyzed for signatures of secular change. Long-term changes in altitude, which vary with month and time of day, were found at both sites. The results can be interpreted either as a constant decrease in altitude combined with a decreasing thermospheric wind effect or as a constant decrease in altitude which is altitude-dependent. Both interpretations leave inconsistencies when the results from the two sites are compared. The estimated long-term decrease in altitude is of a similar order of magnitude to that which has been predicted to result in the thermosphere from anthropogenic change related to greenhouse gases. Other possibilities should not, however, be ruled out.

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1029/98JA01629

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Pre 2000 programme

ISSN:

0148-0227

Date made live:

03 Dec 2013 13:25 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/504096