SA43B:
Neutral Metallic Atom Layers in the Thermosphere 110–200 km, Observations, Origins, and Implications Posters Posters

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Session ID#: 12528

Session Description:
Neutral metal atom layers have recently been observed by several groups in the thermosphere as high as 170 km. Past satellite data have shown metal ions above 200 km. These challenge our understanding of the thermosphere and metal atom sources. No existing theory can explain the observations of these high altitude metal layers. This session presents the following questions:

  • What is the source of the metal atoms and ions in the thermosphere above the “meteor zone”?
  • Are the atomic layers the result of recombination, deposition, transport, or some combination of these?
  • Given that these layers are not associated with any known “events”, either Space Weather or terrestrial, why then are the layers so rare and sporadic?
  • What additional research opportunities do they enable?

We invite presentations that can contribute to our understanding of these unusual layers, including observations, models, and discussion of the implications for future thermosphere research.

Primary Convener:  Jonathan S Friedman, Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, PR, United States
Conveners:  Shikha Raizada, Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, PR, United States and Jens Lautenbach, Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, PR, United States
Chairs:  Jens Lautenbach, Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, PR, United States and Shikha Raizada, Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, PR, United States
OSPA Liaison:  Jens Lautenbach, Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, PR, United States
Index Terms:

0355 Thermosphere: composition and chemistry [ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE]
2419 Ion chemistry and composition [IONOSPHERE]
2427 Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions [IONOSPHERE]
2487 Wave propagation [IONOSPHERE]

Abstracts Submitted to this Session:

Thermospheric Na observed at the Andes Lidar Observatory (159574)
Alan Z Liu1, Chao Ban2, Tao Li3, Yafang Guo1, Xiankang Dou3 and Xianghui Xue4, (1)Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, United States, (2)USTC University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China, (3)University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China, (4)University of Science and Technology of China, CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Hefei, China
Enhanced Capabilities of the Arecibo Observatory Resonance Lidar Systems (168988)
Jens Lautenbach1, Eframir Franco-Diaz2, Jonathan S Friedman1 and Shikha Raizada1, (1)Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, PR, United States, (2)Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Kühlungsborn, Germany
Lower-Thermosphere Metals and High Altitude Meteoroid Sputtering (177074)
John D Mathews, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States, Saiveena Kesaraju, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, University Park, PA, United States and Shikha Raizada, Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, PR, United States

See more of: SPA-Aeronomy