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Empirical models of global thermospheric composition and temperature during geomagnetically quiet times compared with Esro 4 gas analyzer data
Author(s) -
Zahn U.,
Fricke K. H.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/rg016i002p00169
Subject(s) - thermosphere , atmospheric sciences , gas composition , atmospheric models , empirical modelling , environmental science , computational physics , atmospheric composition , meteorology , ionosphere , physics , atmosphere (unit) , thermodynamics , geophysics , computer science , programming language
Mass spectrometric composition measurements in the thermosphere form the basis for three global models of upper air composition and temperature: the Ogo 6, the Esro 4, and the MSIS model. The comparison of model predictions reveals differences of up to 25% with respect to mean absolute number densities. In the prediction of thermospheric variations there exists good agreement for the major constituents, but there are notable differences for the minor constituents. A comparison of individual Esro 4 density measurements with the Esro 4 and MSIS models indicates that the observed number density variations are, on the average, equally well represented by either model.