Large-Scale Waves in the Thermosphere Observed by the AE-C Satellite

Atmosphere Explorer C (AE-C) data are analyzed to study wavelike perturbations in the thermosphere at an altitude of about 260 km. The data were measured during one orbit on January 20, 1975. The examples shown are typical of many other orbits of both satellites AE-C and AE-E. Four geophysical parameters are analyzed: nitrogen and oxygen densities, electron density, and ion temperature, as measured by three different instruments. The data are processed by normalizing them to their average values and extracting their trends. Their fluctuations are obtained by passing the normalized detrended data through a high-pass filter. Strong periodicities are apparent that persist throughout the records, regardless of filter cutoff frequency. Fluctuations are compared by computing cross correlation functions. Spectra are obtained using the MEM and FFT procedures. It is demonstrated, for the first time, that relationships between ion variations and neutral variations are coherent over a wide range of scale sizes over global distances. It is also inferred from plane wave modeling studies and from the persistent periodicities over global distances that a quasi-stationary wave structure is present in the thermosphere that may slowly dissipate and be regenerated by auroral region sources. Large-scale structures are found in all four parameters with horizontal scale sizes ranging from about 400 to about 4000 km. The spectra for all parameters contain peaks at wavelength that are confirmed by the periods of the fluctuations, and decrease with decreasing wavelength with a power law type of variation.