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Detailed Reference Information |
Raghavarao, R., Wharton, L.E., Spencer, N.W., Mayr, H.G. and Brace, L.H. (1991). An equatorial temperature and wind anomaly (ETWA). Geophysical Research Letters 18: doi: 10.1029/91GL01561. issn: 0094-8276. |
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Data obtained from the WATS (Wind and Temperature Spectrometer) and LP (Langmuir Probe) experiments on board DE-2 (Dynamic Explorer) during high solar activity show evidence of anomalous latitudinal variations in the zonal winds and temperature at low latitudese. The zonal winds exhibit a broad maximum centered around the dip equator, flanked by minima on either side around 25 degrees, while the temperature exhibits a pronounced bowl-shaped minimum at the dip equator which is flanked by maxima. The two minima in the zonal winds and the corresponding maxima in the temperature are nearly collocated with the crests of the well known Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA). The maximum in the zonal winds and the minimum in the gas temperature are collocated with the trough of the EIA. The differences between the maxima and minima in temperature and zonal winds, on many occasions, are observed to exceed 100 K and 100 m/s, respectively. The characteristics of the new phenomenon have eluded present day empirical models of thermospheric temperature and winds. The connection among these variables can be understood from the ion-neutral drag effect on the motions of the neutrals that in turn affect their energy balance. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1991 |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Thermosphere—composition and chemistry, Ionosphere, Equatorial ionosphere, Ionosphere, Ionosphere-atmosphere interactions, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Thermospheric dynamics |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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