Tropical behavior of mesospheric ozone as observed by SMM

Abstract

The seasonal behavior of low latitude mesospheric ozone, as observed by the SMM satellite solar occultation experiment, is detailed for the 1985–1989 period. Annual as well as semi-annual waves are observed in the 50–70 km altitude region. In the latitude range of ±30 the ozone phase and amplitude are functions of temperature and seasonal changes in solar flux. Temperature is the controlling factor for the equatorial region and seasonal changes in solar flux become more dominant at latitudes outside the equatorial zone (greater than ±15). There is a hemispheric asymmetry in the ozone annual wave in the 20 30 region, with northern hemispheric ozone having a larger amplitude than southern hemispheric ozone. In this region temperature is nearly in phase with ozone in both hemispheres and is reduced in amplitude in the northern hemisphere. The equatorial region is characterized by a strong semi-annual wave in addition to the annual variation, and temperature is nearly out of phase with ozone. At all latitudes there is a larger ozone concentration at sunrise than at sunset. The sunrise sunset difference increases with increasing altitude