Anomalous thermal structure introduced during solar proton events

• Published in: Geophysical Research Letters
• Main Authors: Salby, Murry, Matrosova, L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: /dk/atira/pure/mqoutputs/18; C1 - Refereed Journal Article; Arctic; Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/publications/1894da79-a58a-4925-9dfc-92158c23f51f; https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL029586; http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=39049123657&partnerID=8YFLogxK

Satellite observations by SABER provide a record of thermal structure during a population of Solar Proton Events (SPEs). Anomalous polar temperature composited from the population is statistically significant over the middle atmosphere and lower thermosphere. Having form similar over the Arctic and Antarctic, it reflects anomalous warming in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, where anomalous temperature is of order 10-20 K, and anomalous cooling in the stratosphere, where it is a couple of Kelvin. The stratospheric signature is consistent with the radiative impact of reduced ozone during SPEs. As SPEs are prevalent during years near solar max but rare during years near solar min, the thermal response becomes a consideration for interannual changes.