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Detailed Reference Information |
Pesnell, W.D., Goldberg, R.A., Jackman, C.H., Chenette, D.L. and Gaines, E.E. (1999). A search of UARS data for ozone depletions caused by the highly relativistic electron precipitation events of May 1992. Journal of Geophysical Research 104: doi: 10.1029/1998JA900030. issn: 0148-0227. |
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Highly relativistic electron precipitation (HRE) events containing significant fluxes of electrons with E>1 MeV have been predicted by models to deplete mesospheric ozone. For the electron fluxes measured during the great HRE of May 1992, depletions were predicted to occur between altitudes of 55 and 80 km, where HOx reactions cause a local minimum in the ozone number density and mixing ratio. Measurements of the precipitating electron fluxes by the particle environment monitor (PEM) tend to underestimate their intensity; thus the predictions of ozone depletion should be considered an estimate of a lower limit. Since the horizontal distribution of the electron precipitation follows the terrestrial magnetic field, it would show a distinct boundary equatorward of the L=3 magnetic shell and be readily distinguished from material that was not affected by the HRE precipitation. To search for possible ozone depletion effects, we have analyzed data from the cryogenic limb array etalon spectrometer and microwave limb sounder instruments on UARS for the above HRE. A simplified diurnal model is proposed to understand the ozone data from UARS, also illustrating the limitations of the UARS instruments for seeing the ozone depletions caused by the HRE events. This diurnal analysis limits the relative ozone depletion at around 60 km altitude to values of <10% during the very intense May 1992 event, consistent with our prediction using an improved Goddard Space Flight Center two-dimensional model. ¿ 1999 American Geophysical Union |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Middle atmosphere—composition and chemistry, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Middle atmosphere—energy deposition, Ionosphere, Particle precipitation, Interplanetary Physics, Ejecta, driver gases, and magnetic clouds, Interplanetary Physics, Interplanetary magnetic fields, Space Plasma Physics, Numerical simulation studies |
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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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