Numerical modeling of the global changes to the thermosphere and ionosphere from the dissipation of gravity waves from deep convection

In this paper, we model the gravity waves (GWs) excited by deep convective plumes globally during 15-27 June in 2009 and in 2000 (previous solar maximum). We ray trace the GWs into the thermosphere and calculate the body force/heatings which result where they dissipate.

We input these force/heatings into a global dynamical model and study the neutral and plasma changes that result. The body forces induce horizontal wind (inline image) and temperature (T') perturbations, while the heatings primarily induce T'. We find that the forces create much larger T' than the heatings. inline image consists of clockwise and counterclockwise circulations and "jet"-like winds that are highly correlated with deep convection, with inline image∼50–200m/s. inline image and T′ are much larger during 2009 than 2000. inline image decreases slightly (significantly) with altitude from z ~150 to 400 km during 2009 (2000).