Tidal Oscillation in the Thermosphere and Their Implications for Upper Atmosphere Density Models

摘要

A study is made of the variation of atmospheric parameters in the lower thermosphere (80-150 km) in terms of the theory of atmospheric tides. The existing tidal theory is expanded to include the effects of dissipation and excitation in the thermosphere. The effects of heat conductivity and absorption of solar radiation in the thermosphere are added to the existing tidal theory. The results are then compared with observations of winds in the lower thermosphere to determine the extent to which the tidal theory cay explain the observed variations of meteorological variables in the lower thermosphere. Results indicate that many features of lower thermospheric wind profiles can be explained in terms of tidal theory, including the effects of dissipation and thermospheric heating. (Author)