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08:23
Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds
Published on: February 16, 2022
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High correlations between temperature and nitric oxide in the thermosphere
D R Weimer1, M G Mlynczak2, L A Hunt3
1Center for Space Science and Engineering Research Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Virginia USA; National Institute of Aerospace Hampton Virginia USA.
Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics
|September 27, 2016
Summary
Accurate thermospheric neutral density prediction is improved by modeling nitric oxide (NO) cooling rates. This technique enhances predictions of atmospheric drag on low Earth orbit satellites during geomagnetic storms.
Area of Science:
- Space Physics
- Atmospheric Science
- Aeronomy
Background:
- Accurate prediction of thermospheric neutral density is crucial for satellite drag modeling, especially during geomagnetic storms.
- Auroral heating during geomagnetic storms increases thermospheric temperature and neutral density, impacting low Earth orbit objects.
- Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in thermospheric cooling, with its production accelerated by auroral heating.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an improved technique for calculating global thermospheric temperature changes.
- To enhance the accuracy of neutral density predictions by incorporating relative variations in nitric oxide (NO) content.
- To validate the improved model by comparing predicted NO emissions with satellite measurements.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing an empirical model of ionospheric Poynting flux to derive global exospheric temperature via differential equations.
- Incorporating relative variations in nitric oxide (NO) content to refine thermospheric cooling rate calculations.
- Comparing model-derived NO emissions with data from the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument.
Main Results:
- The improved technique accurately calculates global thermospheric temperature variations.
- Modeled NO emissions show very good agreement with SABER measurements.
- NO emissions demonstrate a high correlation with integrated auroral heating, thermospheric temperature, and solar EUV indices.
Conclusions:
- The developed method provides more accurate thermospheric neutral density predictions.
- The findings highlight the importance of nitric oxide (NO) in thermospheric cooling dynamics.
- This improved modeling capability is vital for space weather forecasting and satellite orbit management.
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