The seasonal and solar cycle variations of the zonal mean circulation (longitudinal or, equivalently, diurnal average) and the latitudinal variation of temperature in the earth's thermosphere are calculated by using a numerical model of the zonally symmetric thermospheric. The heat and momentum sources that drive the thermospheric circulation are solar EUV and UV heating, high-latitude heating primarily due to auroral processes, and a momentum source that results from the correlation of diurnal variations of wind and ion drag. The calculations show that the thermospheric circulation is mainly driven by heating due to the absorption of solar electromagnetic energy. However, it is modulated by a high-latitude heat source associated with auroral processes and related to geomagnetic activity. The seasonal variation of the thermosphere is characterized by a persistent solstice type of circulation that undergoes an abrupt transition within a week or two of equinox depending upon geomagnetic activity. The temperature difference from summer pole is smaller and the circulation weaker during solar minimum than during solar maximum. To obtain agreement between the calculated and observed latitudinal variation of temperature and circulation, it is necessary to assume a high-latitude energy input during solstice of 2¿1018 ergs s-1 for average solar maximum conditions and 4.5¿1017 ergs s-1 for average solar minimum conditions.