Abstract
Abstract. Variations in the D-region electron concentration within the solar activity cycle are considered. It is demonstrated that conclusions of various authors, who have analyzed various sets of experimental data on [e], differ significantly. The most reliable seem to be the conclusions based on analysis of the [e] measurements carried out by the Faraday rotation method and on the theoretical concepts on the D-region photochemistry. Possible QBO effects in the relation of [e] to solar activity are considered and an assumption is made that such effects may be the reason for the aforementioned disagreement in conclusions on the [e] relation to solar indices.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure · Ion chemistry of the atmosphere · Middle atmosphere
Highlights
IntroductionThe study of the lowest part of the ionosphere (the D region at altitudes of 50±90 km) still meets problems, even though some of the problems have been understood since the sixties (e.g Danilov, 1970)
The study of the lowest part of the ionosphere still meets problems, even though some of the problems have been understood since the sixties (e.g Danilov, 1970).One of the problems is the D-region electron concentration dependence on the solar activity level
The aim of this paper is to consider the conclusions of various authors on the D-region electron concentration dependence on solar activity in quiet background conditions and suggest a possible explanation of the dierence in results obtained
Summary
The study of the lowest part of the ionosphere (the D region at altitudes of 50±90 km) still meets problems, even though some of the problems have been understood since the sixties (e.g Danilov, 1970). One of the problems is the D-region electron concentration dependence on the solar activity level. In the lower part of the D region (a characteristic height of 60 km), some authors obtain an increase in [e] with solar activity, while others obtain a decrease. In the upper part of the D region (a characteristic height of 80 km) conclusions of various authors vary from a complete absence of the dependence to an [e] increase by 3.5 times. Danilov (1989) considered the problem of solar activity impact on the D region from a general point of view. The aim of this paper is to consider the conclusions of various authors on the D-region electron concentration dependence on solar activity in quiet background conditions and suggest a possible explanation of the dierence in results obtained. For the sake of convenience of analysis and discussion, we split all the papers considered into several categories
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