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1 - An overview

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2011

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Summary

Introduction

The definition of the term ‘upper atmosphere’ is not agreed upon by all scientists. To meteorologists it usually refers to the entire region above the troposphere, where the daily weather evolves. With this interpretation the upper atmosphere would include the stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere, regions identified by their temperature structure, density, composition and the degree of ionization. Figure 1.1.1 illustrates schematically the altitude variation of these atmospheric parameters. Logarithmic scales are used for the abscissae and the ordinate to accommodate the large range of densities and heights.

The same laws of physics apply throughout the atmosphere, of course, but the relative importance of various processes varies widely between regions, accounting for the different behaviour of the characteristic parameters as a function of altitude. Thus, the temperature structure is governed by the absorption of solar radiation, and different wavelength bands are absorbed by various constituents in the region. For example, absorption by O3 specifically accounts for heating in the stratosphere. Radiation transfer and terrestrial albedo also contribute to the temperature structure. Each region identified in Figure 1.1.1 warrants a book length treatment. In this work we study that portion of the upper atmosphere labelled the thermosphere and ionosphere.

For centuries, man's perception of the thermosphere was limited to the splendour of the Aurorae Borealis and Australis. It was the need for the propagation of radio waves over long distances that provided a practical stimulus to investigations of the thermosphere and the physical processes that cause and control the ionosphere.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1989

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  • An overview
  • M. H. Rees
  • Book: Physics and Chemistry of the Upper Atmosphere
  • Online publication: 04 April 2011
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511573118.002
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  • An overview
  • M. H. Rees
  • Book: Physics and Chemistry of the Upper Atmosphere
  • Online publication: 04 April 2011
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511573118.002
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • An overview
  • M. H. Rees
  • Book: Physics and Chemistry of the Upper Atmosphere
  • Online publication: 04 April 2011
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511573118.002
Available formats
×