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Simulation of the October–November 2003 solar proton events in the CMAM GCM: Comparison with observations
Author(s) -
Semeniuk K.,
McConnell J. C.,
Jackman C. H.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2005gl022392
Subject(s) - mesosphere , atmospheric sciences , gcm transcription factors , atmosphere (unit) , descent (aeronautics) , proton , polar , environmental science , storm , climatology , thermosphere , polar night , physics , meteorology , general circulation model , geology , stratosphere , ionosphere , climate change , astronomy , oceanography , quantum mechanics
The FTS instrument on SciSat‐I observed over 1 ppmv NO x in the lower polar mesosphere, in mid February of 2004, more than 100 times normal. Using a middle atmosphere GCM we investigate whether solar proton events or subsequent associated aurorae can explain the NO x observations. We find that the solar proton events produce insufficient amounts of NO x , less than 2 ppmv at 90 km. However, it is likely that intense aurorae associated with the Oct.–Nov. 2003 solar storms, and their aftermath, produced thermospheric values of NO x reaching hundreds of ppmv. In addition, from our simulations we infer that NO x rich air must have experienced unusually confined polar night descent in the mesosphere in December and January.