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The solar ultraviolet heating efficiency of the midlatitude thermosphere
Author(s) -
Torr M. R.,
Torr D. G.,
Richards P. G.
Publication year - 1980
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/gl007i005p00373
Subject(s) - thermosphere , atmosphere (unit) , atmospheric sciences , extreme ultraviolet lithography , extreme ultraviolet , altitude (triangle) , ionosphere , middle latitudes , environmental science , ultraviolet , physics , meteorology , optics , astronomy , laser , geometry , mathematics
In this paper we quantify the major channels by which solar UV energy is transferred to the atmosphere, and determine the UV heating efficiency for the thermosphere. Current knowledge of the solar ultraviolet fluxes, thermospheric chemistry and neutral atmosphere is used in a steady state, interhemispheric solution of the ionospheric continuity, momentum and energy equations. The heating efficiency is found to be a strong function of altitude, and peaks near the altitude of maximum EUV deposition at a value of approximately 50%.