A Consideration of Some of the Factors Affecting Atmospheric Composition, Static Stability and Motion Between 20 and 100 Km

摘要

The equilibrium concentrations of atomic oxygen and ozone between 30 and 80 kilometers as a function of zenith angle were computed. The time change of these constituents after darkness were computed for the case of no outside source of ozone and atomic oxygen and for the case where diffusion or mixing kept the supply of atomic oxygen at one percent of the sundown value. Regions of the mesosphere which should support enhanced mixing are determined by considering the distribution of density as a function of altitude, latitude, and time of year. Figures depicting the regions of preferred relative maximum of mixing are included. The effects that Coriolis force and viscous forces have on upper mesospheric and lower thermospheric winds are shown. It is demonstrated that viscous forces can generate a wave form in an atmosphere driven by periodic motion at the top. And it is shown that the Coriolis effect can cause an apparent upward or downward propagation of an existing wave form. (Author)