TIMED/SABER observations of global cold point mesopause variability at diurnal and planetary wave scales

Abstract

[1] Cold point mesopause is characterized by the coldest point in the temperature profile of the Earth's atmosphere. TIMED/SABER observations of cold point mesopause and its variability at diurnal and planetary wave scales are discussed in this study. For the first time, the diurnal and semidiurnal tidal modulations of mesopause are quantified on a global scale during all the four seasons, namely, winter, vernal equinox, summer, and autumnal equinox. The composite of diurnal variations of mesopause height and temperature are discussed during each season and using least squares fit, diurnal and semidiurnal tidal amplitudes and phases are obtained. Most of the features exhibited by the diurnal variation of mesopause height are consistent with the present understanding of the migrating tides. The diurnal tidal modulations of mesopause show its peak over equatorial latitude and change its phase around 20° latitude. The phase of the diurnal tidal modulation is consistent during all seasons expect for a phase shift of 4–6 h observed during boreal summer. The similarities/discrepancies between the latitudinal structure of migrating tides and the diurnal variation of mesopause height are discussed. The results reveal that the diurnal tidal modulations of mesopause height show hemispherical asymmetry, which is not reflected in mesopause temperature. The diurnal and semidiurnal amplitudes in mesopause height across the globe are comparable in magnitude and it is found that over equatorial and low latitudes, the variability of mesopause is maximum at these scales as compared to seasonal scales. Quantification of mesopause height at diurnal scales is very important as it also changes the chemistry of that region. In the present study, an attempt is also made to demonstrate the modulation of the mesopause by propagating planetary waves. The results emphatically show that propagating planetary waves do modulate the mesopause height.