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Energetic Charged Particle Component or the NO(y) Budget of the Polar Middle AtmosphereAnalysis of nitrates measured in polar ice cap snow at a high resolution shows large variations in the nitrates. It has been shown that the nitrate signal may contain a signature of solar activity [Zeller and Dreschhoff, 19951. Reactive odd nitrogen production associated with solar particle events (SPEs) and auroral activity may be a source of some of the nitrate anomalies observed in the polar ice caps. Periods of large SPEs can lead to a production of polar atmospheric odd nitrogen in excess of the ambient sources in the polar stratosphere and mesosphere, and may leave a large nitrate signal stratified in the polar ice cap. Auroral electrons and photoelectrons produce odd nitrogen in the thermosphere, some of which may be transported to the polar (>50 degrees) mesosphere and stratosphere. Sources of odd nitrogen in the polar middle atmosphere associated with SPEs, galactic cosmic rays, and auroral electron precipitation have been quantified. The relative contributions by the energetic particles sources to the Noy budget of the polar middle atmosphere (from tropopause to 50 km, from 50 degrees to 90 degrees latitude) are compared with the nitrates observed in the polar ice sheets.
Document ID
19990088409
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Vitt, F. M.
(Sterling Software, Inc. Bellevue, NE United States)
Jackman, C. H.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1999
Subject Category
Geophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Chapman: Atmospheric Sciences Across the Stratopause
Location: Annapolis, MD
Country: United States
Start Date: April 19, 1999
End Date: April 23, 1999
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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