Large and small scale changes in the disturbed upper atmosphere

Abstract

ESRO 4 gas analyzer data are used to investigate changes in the upper atmosphere induced by a magnetic disturbance in late November 1973. The prominent feature observed is a significant enhancement in nitrogen densities which shows a complex and variable latitudinal structure. At the same time atomic oxygen exhibits a somewhat delayed decrease at lower altitudes (say, below 300 km) and a moderate increase at higher altitudes. Superimposed on these large scale changes is a significant small scale structure, part of which is thought to be caused by atmospheric gravity waves.