The effect of carbon dioxide cooling on trends in the F2-layer ionosphere
Qian, L., Burns, A., Solomon, S. C., & Roble, R. G. (2009). The effect of carbon dioxide cooling on trends in the F2-layer ionosphere. Journal Of Atmospheric And Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 71, 1592-1601. doi:10.1016/j.jastp.2009.03.006
The effect of carbon dioxide cooling on trends of F2 and NF2 are investigated using a coupled thermosphere and ionosphere general circulation model. Model simulations indicate that CO₂ cooling not only causes contraction of the upper atmosphere and changes of neutral and ion composition but also ... Show moreThe effect of carbon dioxide cooling on trends of F2 and NF2 are investigated using a coupled thermosphere and ionosphere general circulation model. Model simulations indicate that CO₂ cooling not only causes contraction of the upper atmosphere and changes of neutral and ion composition but also changes dynamics and electrodynamics in the thermosphere/ionosphere. These changes determine the altitude dependence of ionospheric trends and complex latitudinal, longitudinal, diurnal, seasonal, and solar cycle variations of trends of F2 and NF2. Under the CO₂ cooling effect, trends of NF2 are negative with magnitude from 0% to ~-40% for doubled CO₂, depending on location, local time, season, and solar activity. The corresponding trends of F2 are mostly negative with a magnitude from 0 to -40 km, but can be positive with a magnitude from 0 to ~10 km at night, with maximum positive trends occurring after midnight under solar minimum conditions. Show less