Planetary Waves and Their Impact on the Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Ionosphere

Jia Yue, Ruth Lieberman, Loren C. Chang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Large-scale planetary waves (also known as Rossby waves), such as the Quasi-two day wave, 5 day wave and Kelvin wave, play crucial roles in coupling the lower and middle atmosphere to the mesosphere, thermosphere and ionosphere. Upward propagation and global structure of planetary waves in the stratosphere and mesosphere are affected by the zonal mean winds. Baroclinic or barotropic instability of the background mesospheric winds can amplify the waves en route to the upper atmosphere. Fast traveling planetary waves with deep vertical wavelengths, such as Kelvin waves, are able to reach the upper thermosphere and modulate air density and winds. More commonly, planetary waves influence the thermosphere-ionosphere system by modulating the E-region and F-region dynamo electric fields. Dissipation of planetary waves in the lower thermosphere modifies the background winds, and induces extra meridional circulation, consequently altering thermospheric constituents, such as O/N2, and ionospheric electron densities. Interactions between planetary waves and tides not only provide an additional source of traveling planetary waves in the mesosphere, but are key sources of variability in E-region dynamo electric fields and plasma drift.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSpace Physics and Aeronomy, Upper Atmosphere Dynamics and Energetics
Publisherwiley
Pages183-216
Number of pages34
ISBN (Electronic)9781119815631
ISBN (Print)9781119507567
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2021

Keywords

  • barotropic instability
  • E-region dynamo electric fields
  • F-region dynamo electric fields
  • Kelvin waves
  • mesosphere
  • planetary waves
  • plasma drift
  • thermosphere-ionosphere system

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