DIURNAL VARIATION OF TEMPERATURE AND PARTICLE DENSITY BETWEEN 100 KM AND 500 KM,

Abstract

Rocket and satellite observations, made in the U.S.A. and in the U.S.S.R. of atmospheric densities and oxygen ratios n(O)/n(O2) were used to determine the diurnal variations of pressure, temperature, and composition in the region between 100 and 500 km. The six main constituents of the earth's upper atmosphere are included: molecular nitrogen and oxygen, atomic oxygen, argon, helium, and hydrogen. It has been found that for late 1960: (1) The nighttime mass densities are higher between 100 and about 200 km than the daytime densities; the opposite is the case above 200 km. (2) The nighttime temperatures are always lower between 100 and 500 km than the daytime temperatures. In the exosphere T (night) is approx. 1000 K; T (day) is approx 1350 K. (3) bBetween about 110 and 200 km the molecular weight at night is higher than by day. Above 200 km the opposite occurs. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1963
Accession Number
AD0423617

Entities

People

  • H. K. Kallman-bijl
  • W. L. Sibley

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmospheres
  • Atmospheric Density
  • Diurnal Variations
  • Elements
  • Exosphere
  • Hydrogen
  • Molecular Weight
  • Nitrogen
  • Nonmetals
  • Observation
  • Particles

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space