Low latitude thermospheric meridional winds between 250 and 450 km altitude - AE-E satellite data

In situ measurements from the Atmosphere Explorer-E satellite are used to obtain the daily variations of the meridional wind at + or - 18 deg latitude for summer and winter between 1977 and 1979. Data are presented for altitudes around 270, 350, and 440 km. Two features showing significant seasonal variation are found: a late afternoon maximum of the poleward wind occurring in winter at 1800 LT and a nighttime maximum in the equatorward wind with the summer equatorward wind abating earlier and more rapidly than the winter wind. The characteristics of these seasonal variations are discussed in detail.