Changes in atmospheric composition inferred from ionospheric production rates

摘要: Changes in the total electron content of ionosphere near sunrise are used to determine integrated production rate (Q) from 1965 1971, at latitudes 34°S, 20°N and 34°N. The solar cycle change is given approximately by Q∝S − 20, where S 10.7 cm flux. All stations show a regular semiannual variation Q, through range 1.3:1. This interpreted as an increase ratio ON2 (the relative densities atomic oxygen molecular nitrogen) equinoxes. Northern hemisphere values Q nearly twice large southern results, requiring about three times northern hemisphere. decreases summer, maximum, giving well-known seasonal anomaly ionosphere. larger 34°N than 20°N, completely absent 34°S. Measurements time which begins confirm that absorption radiation primarily N2 all but changes summer winter maximum.