Mesospheric Na layer at 40°N: Modeling and observations

The near‐global mesospheric potassium layer: Observations and modeling

The meteoric metal layers act as unique tracers of chemistry and dynamics in the upper atmosphere. Existing lidar studies from a few locations show that K exhibits a semiannual seasonality (winter and summer maxima), quite unlike the annual seasonality (winter maximum and summer minimum) seen with Na and Fe. This work uses spaceborne observations made with the Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed ...

A new time-resolved model of the mesospheric Na layer

Introduction Conclusions References Tables Figures Back Close Abstract Introduction Conclusions References Tables Figures Back Close Abstract A time-resolved model of the Na layer in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere region is described, where the continuity equations for the major sodium species Na, Na + and NaHCO 3 are solved explicity, and the other short-lived species are treated in steady-...

A time-resolved model of the mesospheric Na layer: constraints on the meteor input function

A time-resolved model of the Na layer in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere region is described, where the continuity equations for the major sodium species Na, Na and NaHCO3 are solved explicity, and the other shortlived species are treated in steady-state. It is shown that the diurnal variation of the Na layer can only be modelled satisfactorily if sodium species are permanently removed below ...

A new time-resolved model of the mesospheric Na layer: constraints on the meteor input function

The stability of the mesospheric plasma layer

The presence of micron and sub-micron size dust in the Earth’s summer mesopause are a possible cause of electron density depletion. Whereas electrons in this weakly ionized and weakly magnetized layer are frozen in the magnetic field, the ions and dust are highly diffusive. This relative drift between the plasma particles will cause a current in the medium. The presence of such a current can de...