Solar magnetic flux influences on the dynamics of the wintermiddle atmosphere

N. F. Arnold, T. R. Robinson

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A number of observational studies have reported a connection between various lower atmospheric parameters and a range of geomagnetic and solar coronal indices. The bulk of the Sun's magnetised plasma energy is absorbed in the high-latitude upper atmosphere, far removed from the troposphere and the stratosphere, so a physical mechanism which accounts for these correlations has proved elusive. In this paper, a mechanistic three-dimensional model of the atmosphere between 10 and 130 km has been developed to demonstrate that high energy particles from the solar wind can perturb the winter stratosphere significantly. Planetary waves provide an effective means of coupling solar-induced changes in the thermosphere down to the stratosphere. A qualitatively similar response to forcing by increasing solar ultraviolet radiation was obtained even though there was no in situ forcing in the stratosphere.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2381-2384
Number of pages4
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume28
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jun 2001
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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