The Behavior of the Exosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere System during Solar Minimum

Abstract:

The sustained decrease in solar and geomagnetic activity during solar minima increases our ability to separate competing sources of variability within the coupled exosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere system. However, the upper atmosphere is rarely, if ever, in a truly quiescent state. The cold, contracted thermosphere of solar minimum is in many ways more sensitive to small perturbations, when measuring in a relative sense. In this talk we explore the transport of mass and energy throughout the upper atmosphere and its effects on neutral species in the thermosphere and lower exosphere. We also emphasize the limitations of our understanding even during the so-called quiet time based on the observations that are currently available to us.